Help fight cavities in little teeth
Did you know tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease?
As a child care provider, you play an important part in preventing cavities in little teeth. Healthy teeth practices in child care facilities promote overall good health.
A Toothbrushing Program that Works
Creating a Toothbrushing Policy
A good toothbrushing policy ensures success. Include information about the correct amount of toothpaste by age, health facts about cavities and children's growth, and parent and staff acknowledgment forms.
Tip: Adapt our sample toothbrushing policy for your needs. The policy is also available in Spanish.
General Toothbrushing Guidelines
- Parents must give permission for toothbrushing each year.
- Establish a daily routine. Brush once a day when it works best for the classroom schedule.
- In child care settings, children do not need to brush at the sink. Use sinks for handwashing and rinsing toothbrushes after brushing.
- Mouth rinsing after brushing isn't recommended or necessary.
What To Know
Use children’s fluoride toothpaste that has the American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance.
- Help prevent cavities: Ensure the fluoride toothpaste reaches all the child’s teeth.
- Use the proper amount for the child's age:
- From tooth eruption to age 3: A smear the size of a grain of rice.
- For ages 3-6: A pea-sized amount.
- Store out of the reach of children. Teachers/staff, not children, put the toothpaste on a paper towel or disposable cup.
- Use child-size toothbrushes with soft bristles.
- Label each toothbrush with the child's name or assigned number.
- Replace toothbrushes every six months. Replace more often if worn or damaged, or contaminated by another toothbrush or child.
- Do not allow children to play with or share toothbrushes.
Storing Toothbrushes
- Store upright in a commercial storage rack, not touching other brushes. Label toothbrush rack slot with child's name for storage.
- Allow brushes to air-dry. Individual covers are not recommended.
- Store in a protected area, such as a cabinet. Do not store in the bathroom, toileting or diapering areas.
Use your center kitchen sick for cleaning and sanitizing the toothbrush rack. Use a school cafeteria for your approved kitchen? The rack must go there for cleaning and sanitizing.
- Wash hands and put on gloves.
- Remove each brush with its own paper towel. Place the brush on top of the paper towel. Ensure toothbrushes don't touch each other.
- Clean, sanitize and air-dry the rack.
- When the rack is dry, use a paper towel to pick up each toothbrush. Return it to the rack, matching the child's name/number on the brush and rack slot.
- Remove gloves and wash hands.
Wearing gloves and using separate paper towels for each brush prevents germ spread.
Step-by-Step Guides
Use these how-to guides to ensure you're following NC child care and sanitation rules.