We at Charlestown and Chinley like to promote good oral hygiene within nursery and often have topics discussing tooth brushing and visiting the dentist, we have a dentist role play and have linked up with our local NHS Oral Health team. As part of our partnership with NHS Oral Health team we have agreed to sell toothbrushes, toothpaste, and feeder cups. These are all available for a reduced price from the office and are supplied by Colgate.
Here are some top tips to help keep your families’ teeth strong and healthy -
From brushing their first tooth to their first trip to the dentist, here's how to take care of your children's teeth.
A regular teeth-cleaning routine is essential for good dental health. Follow these tips and you can help keep your Children’s teeth decay-free.
Toothbrushing tips
It's important to use a fluoride toothpaste, as this helps prevent and control tooth decay.
Children aged up to 3 years
· Start brushing your baby's teeth as soon as the first milk tooth breaks through (usually at around 6 months, but it can be earlier or later).
· Parents or carers should brush or supervise toothbrushing.
· Brush teeth twice daily for about 2 minutes with fluoride toothpaste.
· Brush last thing at night before bed and on 1 other occasion.
· Use children's fluoride toothpaste containing no less than 1,000ppm of fluoride (check label) or family toothpaste containing between 1,350ppm and 1,500ppm fluoride.
· Use only a smear of toothpaste.
· Make sure children don't eat or lick toothpaste from the tube.
Smear of toothpaste
Children aged 3 to 6 years
· Brush at least twice daily for about 2 minutes with fluoride toothpaste.
· Brush last thing at night before bed and at least on 1 other occasion.
· Brushing should be supervised by a parent or carer.
· Use children's fluoride toothpaste containing no less than 1,000ppm of fluoride (check label) or family toothpaste containing between 1,350ppm and 1,500ppm fluoride.
· Use only a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.
· Spit out after brushing and don't rinse – if you rinse, the fluoride won't work as well.
Children aged 7 and over
· Brush at least twice daily for about 2 minutes with fluoride toothpaste.
· Brush last thing at night before bed and at least on 1 other occasion.
· Use fluoride toothpaste containing between 1,350ppm and 1,500ppm of fluoride (check label).
· Spit out after brushing and don't rinse – if you rinse, the fluoride won't work as well.
Children aged 7 and over should be able to brush their own teeth, but it's still a good idea to watch them to make sure they brush properly and for about 2 minutes.
How to help children brush their teeth properly
· Guide your child's hand so they can feel the correct movement.
· Use a mirror to help your child see exactly where the brush is cleaning their teeth.
· Make tooth brushing as fun as possible by using an egg timer to time it for about 2 minutes. You could also try the Brush DJ timer app listed in our Apps Library.
· Don't let children run around with a toothbrush in their mouth, as they may have an accident and hurt themselves.
Taking your child to the dentist
· NHS dental care for children is free.
· Take your child to the dentist when their first milk teeth appear. This is so they become familiar with the environment and get to know the dentist. The dentist can advise you on how to prevent decay and identify any oral health problems at an early stage. Just opening up the child's mouth for the dentist to take a look at is useful practise for the future.
· When you visit the dentist, be positive about it and make the trip fun. This will stop your child worrying about future visits.
· Take your child for regular dental check-ups as advised by the dentist.
· it’s important that everyone in the family has a regular dental check-up. Children should be seen before their first birthday.
· Call NHS 111 If you do not have a dentist, are in pain and need urgent care contact: Greater Manchester Emergency Dental Care 8am - 10pm 7 days per week on 0333 332 3800
Keeping teeth healthy
· Minimise the amount and frequency of consumption of sugar-containing food and drinks.
• A healthy, balanced diet is important for good oral and general health.
• Most ‘free sugars’ in the diet are contained in processed and manufactured foods and drinks (sweets, chocolates, confectionary, biscuits, cereals, yoghurts, soft drinks, smoothies, jams)
• Try not to exceed the recommended daily allowance of ‘free sugars’
• Swap sugary drinks for water or plain milk.
• Eat at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables a day.
• Base meals on potatoes, bread, rice, pasta and other starchy carbohydrates, choosing wholegrain versions where possible.
• Have some dairy or dairy alternatives (such as soy drinks); choosing lower fat and lower sugar options.
• Eat some beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat and other proteins (including 2 portions of fish every week, 1 of which should be oily e.g. salmon, mackerel)
• Choose unsaturated oils and spreads and eat in small amounts.
• Drink 6 to 8 cups or glasses of fluid a day. Water is best.
• If consuming foods and drinks high in fat, salt or sugar, have these less often and in small amounts. More information is available at the following websites: