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Original poster

Childminder's Club: Toothbrushes??

32 replies

Katymac · 18/05/2006 20:06

A couple of mums have asked me to start cleaning teeth after meals and while I'm fine agreeing to thier request I wondered if there were any issues....

a)How often? after all food incl snacks? (ie 5 times a day)
b)Can teeth be brushed too often?
c)I can't cope with the storage for 14 toothbrushes and separate toothpastes - so do I pick a tothpaste they all use or just brush with water?
d)How do I store 14 toothbrushes hygenically?
e)Assuming 3 mins a child - this is going to take 27mins to do all the children - is that realistic?

I am sure to have forgotten loads of other points you will remember/remind me

I am also assuming I will need the parents to sign a disclaimer saying that if their children get fillings it's not my faultWink

Any thoughts/advise/help on the subject??
tia
KMc

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FeelingOld · 19/05/2006 13:35

Well here is what we do -
Each child has an addis beaker with a screw on top (get them from wilkinsons), we keep inside each one a short handled toothbrush and a small tube of toothpaste (every child gets one along with a towel and flannel when they start with me so buying all of them at once may be a little expensive), I also have a couple of extra of the beakers so that I can change a couple of them at a time and then put the used beakers in the dishwasher. I then keep the beakers in a basket in my downstairs bathroom cupboard and get the ones out every morning that we will need (I have 12 part-timers so can't keep them all out).
We usually brush approx 30 mins after breakfast (for those who have breakfast with me) and approx 30 mins after lunch.
I had this in place on my last ofsted inspection and she never said it wasn't ok.

ayla99 · 19/05/2006 12:43

Just had this extremely quick response from British Dental Health Foundation:

With regard to your enquiry,

We would advise to brush twice a day for two minutes with a fluoride toothpaste containing 1000 to 1250 parts per million of fluoride(written as ppm on the back of the toothpaste tube.)
If you can brush after meal times it would do no harm as long as you are brushing at least 30 minutes after eating to prevent further acid attack.
Our saliva is a natural cleanser and will help to neutralise the acid and if you wish to promote less acid attack you could offer the children a piece of cheese or raw vegetables after a meal which are alkaline so will help to neutralise to.
We trust that you may find our leaflet on diet and my teeth informative which can be downloaded from our web address below and following the links for frequent questions and then tell me about.

E: [email protected]
W: \link{www.dentalhealth.org.uk\Dental Health}

ayla99 · 19/05/2006 12:30

or even
\link{http://www.stop-the-rot.co.uk/dosanddonts.htm\Stop the Rot Dos & Don'ts}

ayla99 · 19/05/2006 12:28

interesting thread. In the past I have only cleaned teeth after breakfast, where parent has supplied brush & paste, hadn't considered doing it after lunch as well.

\link{http://www.stop-the-rot.co.uk/dosanddonts.htm/Stop the Rot Dos & Don'ts} suggests using margarine tubs for storage.

jellyjelly · 19/05/2006 12:12

YOU CAN GETCASES IN BOOTS FOR I THINK A QUID OR SO.

alibubbles · 19/05/2006 11:42

I had pondered the storage thing, as I am aware that it is not hygienic to store uncovered toothbrushes in a toilet. ( My own sonic has covers for the brussh heads) But I would really like the children to clean their teeth after lunch and I would provide brushes and paste ( all free samples gratefully received!) I only have 4 under 5 at one time, so not too much of a problem, apart from replacing them frequently as chcildren will chew their brushes!

I was thinking Ikea or a £ shop might have some sort of cases, but haven't got round to looking yet, so await more views with interest.

Original poster
Katymac · 19/05/2006 07:48

The ones that have asked have provided

It's very difficult to do for one child what you aren't doing for them all

Buying the toothbrushes won't be my problem (I don't think) but storing them will be

I can't keep them in the child bag (as it's as far away from the sink as it could be) so I need to store them by the sink - safely and hyigenically (iyswim)

Still thinking

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melissasmummy · 18/05/2006 23:42

Katy, if the parents are asking for this service they should provide the toothbrushes at least. It wont be hard to pop it into a plastic bag & into their day bag that they vring. No toothbrush, then no toothbrushing!

IMO, what a cheek to ASK YOU & not be willing to supply the materials!

Original poster
Katymac · 18/05/2006 23:28

did JJ

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jellyjelly · 18/05/2006 23:20

not if the paste doesnt touch the brushes or fingers.

Katymac can i ask you to look at my thread and give you thoughts on the incident at nursery thread. I am going into the nursery tomorrow and want as many views as possible before i go.

Original poster
Katymac · 18/05/2006 23:10

Aww thanks

I need to get the logistics sorted first

Would puttting toothpaste on different brushes be cross contamination?

Does any toothpaste come in a one shot deal?

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ComeOVeneer · 18/05/2006 23:08

If it would help, I would be quite happy to supply some brushes and pastes to you katymac as we get loads of free samples at work (not cases though).

Original poster
Katymac · 18/05/2006 23:05

Yep - i do work with two other minders tho'

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cat64 · 18/05/2006 23:04

This reply has been deleted

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Original poster
Katymac · 18/05/2006 22:56

I know it sounds silly - but I do try to improve my minding

Toothbrushes might be a way to do this

I have hyigene and storage problems and need to get them sorted before I promise parents anything

OFSTED are so anal about stuff (have you heard about my 27 colours of towelsGrin)

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ComeOVeneer · 18/05/2006 22:53

Would like to add as a dentist and someone who has had a childminder in the past (now have a nanny due to practicalities) I would like to say I am very impressed and commend you on this (and I don't mean that in a patronising way at all)

Original poster
Katymac · 18/05/2006 22:49

Hmmm - I had been thinking testtube holders - but that wouldn't work with cases

Also there is the cross contamination for the toothpaste

Ok so if we are down to 1 min each it's much more possible

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ComeOVeneer · 18/05/2006 22:46

For a 6 month old who has only a few teeth a full 2 minute brushing is unecessary. TBH 2 mins is the recommended time for an adult with the full 32 teeth.

jellyjelly · 18/05/2006 22:31

would ofsted saythat it was hygienic to store them all together? In a normal household obv wouldnt be a problem but different families etc tec.

Original poster
Katymac · 18/05/2006 22:20

No I have 9 at a time...14 at a time would be 42mins

I'm only looking at 27mins after each meal

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Original poster
Katymac · 18/05/2006 22:19

That sounds good

Like the case idea - love the labelling idea

2 toothpaste to give choice is fab

Thanks all for the ideas

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ComeOVeneer · 18/05/2006 22:18

You have 14 at a time Shock .

ComeOVeneer · 18/05/2006 22:17

Ask the parents to purchase a toothbrush and case for their child and label both , then buy a large tupperware with a lid to store the brushes and buy 2 different childrens toothpastes to give them a choice).

Original poster
Katymac · 18/05/2006 22:16

currently 6m to 3y

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ComeOVeneer · 18/05/2006 22:15

Well I think if the parents can't be relied upon to bring them they can't be so concerned about their kids teeth. That aside what ages are the children?

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