mindees' toothbrush storage

[allthatglisters]

Warning - a bit of a sad thread,... but I've just found the new toothbrushes bought from the co-op for mindees have little suction caps on the bottom so they stick to a tiled surface - with their own toothpaste next to it they don't need toothmugs now to keep them clean and separated.

youve lost me sorry

Well if you're a childminder, look after quite a few children, and are supposed to provide toothbrushing facilities for them, (as well as your own family), you'll understand where I'm coming from! Or have you all been using suction-bottomed toothbrushes for years and I'm a bit slow!

We put ours in those little travel toothbrush box things, as I am hyper about toothbrushes being sprayed with toilet germs.

British Dental Association suggest that childminders don't get involved in teethcleaning..........

I don't get involved with teeth cleaning in general (for reasons Katymac states) but the children do brush their teeth here when they stay overnight. When this happens the stuff is kept in their overnight bag.

Really - what about nurseries then?

Mine clean their teeth after lunch and I am interested in the suction thingies (whilst keeping them away from sprayed toilet germs). I don't get involved. The children do it themselves . I rely on their parents policing them in the morning and evening for 'proper' brushing.

Thats interesting KatyMac whys that then?

Thought I was being very good getting mindees to wave their t/brushes around near their mouths after breakfast. Am I being norty then?

The current dental health recommendations are that children brush their teeth twice a day - assuming they brush them before they come to us, they shouldn't need to do them throughout the day. Something to do with the fluoride I think.

Have never done toothbrushing, though have resources to teach children about it - check out the OralB website .

BTW, mindees parent is a lecturer in dental health and also advises the above.

I have toothbrushes for my mindees. Often they arrive in a rush and haven't had time to clean their teeth at home, so do them here before going to school. We also use them if we have been eating something a bit sugary. They clean their teeth in the kitchen at the hand- washing sink so not near toilet germs. Also, if the children are off for a dentist appointment after being here it is useful for them to be able to clean their teeth before they go.