Stop the Rot Campaign (teeth cleaning @ nursery)

[Gingerbear]

Great idea.
I had a letter from DD's nursery - they are supporting 'Stop the Rot' campaign, to encourage children to brush teeth after meals. DD has gone this morning with a container with a toothbrush/toothpaste/cup. She always brushes her teeth twice a day and has seen the dentist 3 times already.

I don't want her to end up like me with a mouthful of fillings.

\link{http://www.stop-the-rot.co.uk/\link here}

The children have had toothbrushes/paste at nursery from age 1 onwards since DS turned 1 - over 4 years ago. I am not sure that much active cleaning goes on, ie I think the children are presented with loaded toothbrush and left to suck the paste off themselves.

I wondered how the assistants would ensure that 15 children would ALL clean there teeth for 2 minutes!

Still, the habit is a good one to get into. Also, they are limiting sweet/sugary stuff (which they did anyway)

Oh yes I agree. And peer pressure at nursery might encourage those that are reluctant brushers at nursery. I'm a big fan of harnessing positive peer pressure.

I am trying to become approved for this for childminding. It is a fab idea but not sure how practical it will be.

I thought you should only brush your teeth twice a day because any more often might wear away the enamel - or does that only apply to adults?

Hmm,I don't think it's a nursery's/childminder's job to do this.
Twice a day brushing is plenty I reckon. I used to do it X3 but my dentist told me this was overdoing it.
I'm 39 with no fillings.

Moondog, that is what I thought too - twice a day.
Always thought a drink of water or milk after a meal was sufficient.
Maybe advice in the dental world has changed

I've been asked, as a childminder, to sometimes brush children's teeth after lunch. I don't have a problem with it at all.

So when do they clean their teeth at nursery? Do they have breakfast there and do it after that? Or is this in addition to the two times a day?

DD has always, luckily, been very good with teeth brushing and we hae taken her to the dentist regularly since being small - first went at about 18 month as had front teeth missing. However I can understand how it could benefit more reluctant brushers.

I think they do it after meals hula. That would mean DD getting hers done 5x on nursery days though because I always do them morning and night. As I say though I think it is a case of just letting them suck the brush. Also they don't get through the paste very quickly - well not compared with how the kids do at home.