• Ensure that each child has his or her own toothbrush, clearly marked with the child’s name or some other individual identification. Do not allow children to share or borrow toothbrushes.
• To prevent cross contamination of the toothpaste tube, ensure that a smear for children less than 3 years of age and a pea-sized amount of toothpaste for older children is always dispensed onto a piece of wax paper before dispensing any onto the toothbrush.
• After the children finish brushing, make sure that their toothbrushes are thoroughly rinsed with tap water, allowed to air-dry, and stored in an upright position so they cannot contact those of other children.
• Replace toothbrushes every 3-4 months or sooner if the bristles become frayed.
Use the ECELS Oral Health Self-Learning Module for more information on daily tooth brushing in early education programs. The module is available at www.ecels-healthychildcarepa.org Select Professional Development, then Self-Learning Modules, then Oral Health.
Sources:
Reviewed and reaffirmed 6/2021