Toothbrushing Information

Produced with funding from the Australian Government under the National Partnership Agreement ‘Closing the Gap in the Northern Territory’ and is the sole responsibility of the Northern Territory Department of Health

www.health.nt.gov.au

C H I L D O R A L H E A L T H

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Acknowledgements

The Northern Territory Department of Health acknowledges and thanks the staff members who contributed to the development of this manual

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Table of Contents

Introduction from the ‘Tooth Team’ 5

Toothbrushing programs 7

How teeth get holes 9

When to brush 13

Where to brush 15

How to brush 17

Dispensing toothpaste 19

Storage ideas 21

Toothbrush replacement 23

Resources 27

Colouring and puzzles 29

Further information 39

Oral health is fundamental to overall health, wellbeing and quality of life. A healthy mouth enables people to eat, speak and socialise without pain, discomfort or embarrassment. However, oral diseases are among the most common health problems experienced by Australians.

Oral disease is associated with a number of health conditions. In particular, disease of the gums contributes to cardiovascular disease, preterm birth and low birth weight. Oral disease is also associated with some pneumonia and heart conditions, hepatitis C, HIV infection, otitis media and nutritional deficiencies.

Most Australian children and adolescents have good oral health. However recent trends suggest that there has been deterioration in children’s oral health. In particular, Indigenous children experience about twice as much tooth decay as non-Indigenous children. Their oral health has continued to worsen over recent decades, in contrast to the improvements among their non-Indigenous counterparts.

The good news is that poor oral health is preventable! Toothbrushing, drinking water, regular access to fluoride, a healthy diet and regular dental check-ups are important factors to ensure good oral health.It is important that these factors are introduced to children in their early years, so that good habits are formed over their lifetime. Toothbrushing at school is one strategy that ensures children are brushing at least once a day. Toothbrushing assists with good oral health by removing germs while also providing regular exposure to the benefits of fluoride - toothpaste contains fluoride which helps strengthen teeth.

Best regards,

The Northern Territory Oral Health Services ‘Tooth Team’.

Produced with funding from the Australian Government under the National Partnership Agreement ‘Closing the Gap in the Northern Territory’ and is the sole responsibility of the Northern Territory Department of Health.

With your assistance we can make a real difference in improving children’s toothbrushing habits, which will reduce gum disease and tooth decay. We hope this booklet assists you to help children form good oral health habits over their lifetime.

Introduction from the ‘Tooth Team’

5

The dental team are friendly people

Help kids to see the dental team as friendly people who they can trust - not someone to be afraid of

Don’t say scary things about the dental team - even joking about it may make kids more nervous about their visit

3

7

Make oral health funEncourage discussion about what makes teeth healthy or sick

Use drawing, colouring-in and other creative activities to teach healthy teeth messages

Play lively music during toothbrushing sessions

Don’t threaten kids by saying they will get bad teeth if they don’t brush -encourage them by highlighting the benefits of a healthy mouth

3337

Toothbrushing programs - Do and Don’ts

A toothbrushing program can significantly improve the oral health of children, and the

Northern Territory Oral Health Service is able to assist with the implementation.

7

Celebrate healthy behaviour

Talk about the benefits of healthy living – drinking water, eating healthy food, exercising and cleaning teeth

Congratulate individuals who make healthy choices

Promote healthy choices with activities in a classroom and in the community

333

Every day is the wayEmphasise that toothbrushing should be done everyday for life

Explain the benefits such as strong teeth, healthy gums, fresh breath and beautiful smiles

Encourage school staff and parents to help run the program, and model the behaviour by brushing with the kids

Habits and skills developed in school can be extended into the home

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33

WATER

8

Fluoride and Teeth Fluoride soaks into teeth and helps make them stronger

Fluoride can be found in water, toothpaste and fluoride varnish

Brushing with fluoridated toothpaste is a great way to make teeth stronger

The oral health team can paint fluoride varnish on teeth to help strengthen them

Note: Fluoride levels in the water vary from community to community. For more information contact your local oral health team.

33

3

3

How teeth get holesToothbrushing Information

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Rotta feeds off the sugar on our teeth making them decay and go rotten.

This is Rotta. He is a germ who lives on teeth and causes tooth decay and rotten teeth.

He loves mouths with rubbish foods and sweet drinks in them.

10

How teeth get holes

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SUNDAY

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st1THURSDAY

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st1TUESDAY

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Eat healthy foods

WATER

3Eat well

3Drink well

3Brush well

3Stay well

Brush teeth twice a day

Drink lots of water

Wear a mouthguard

Have regulardental check-ups

Healthy choices for a healthy mouth

3 Healthy mouthmessages

When to brushToothbrushing Information

MORNING

NIGHT

Brush your teeth after breakfast, it is a great way for your mouth to start the day.

Brush your teethbefore bed to help them outthrough the night.

12

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1011

Food left on teeth leads to tooth decay.Germs left on teeth after eating create acid, which leads to tooth decay.

Brushing is helpful at any time of the day. Schools can incorporate brushing at anytime that fits with their daily routine.

At school, brushing can be done after breakfast or after lunch (or BOTH!).

It is also good to brush at night, just before you go to bed.

14

Where to brushToothbrushing Information

Where to brush

The best place to brush will vary

Children will need:Access to water

Somewhere to spit the toothpaste

Appropriate places may include:The classroom (if there are sinks available)

School eating area

Basins or sinks at home or at school

Bubblers

Garden tap

33

33333

16

How to brushToothbrushing Information

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Dispensing toothpasteToothbrushing Information

Dispensing toothpaste - Do and Don’ts

 

 

  

 

Each child should only use a pea size amount of toothpaste.

• Dispense the toothpaste onto a plate, paper or other clean surface (clean or dispose of after use).

• Don’t put the toothpaste directly from the tube to the brush, as this can spread germs.

• For children under 6, low fluoride toothpaste is best. Over 6 years use adult toothpaste.

• Older children should be encouraged to have their own tube and dispense their own toothpaste.

• Toothbrushing is beneficial even without toothpaste. If you run out of toothpaste continue brushing regularly. Get some more toothpaste as soon as you can.

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Storage ideasToothbrushing Information

Storage ideas

Children need to have their own toothbrush with their name on it(e.g. Wrap masking tape on handle and write their name on it).

The toothbrush needs to be stored to ensure it doesn’t touch other toothbrushes.

Below are a range of storage ideas that are in use in other NT schools.

Note: All storage systems must be cleaned/replaced on a regular basis

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Toothbrush replacementToothbrushing Information

 

Toothbrushes should be replaced at the start of each term. If toothbrushes becomeshaggy or dirty, replace them sooner.

To help brushes last the whole term:

• Rinse them after each use

• Store them so they can dry

• Make sure the children don’t chew on them

Note: Children should always use a SOFT toothbrush with a small head.

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Where to order replacement toothbrushes

Toothbrushes and toothpaste can be ordered in bulk.

Major suppliers include:

Colgate direct - 1800 262 111

W9 Dental - 1800 800 303Supplier of CareDent brushes.

Henry Schein Hallas - 1300 65 88 22 Supplier of Colgate brushes and paste.

Gunz - 1800 025 300 Supplier of Oral-B brushes and paste.

Dentavision - 1800 806 640 Supplier of Oral-B brushes and paste.

If you require further assistance, please contact Northern Territory Oral Health Service

on 1800 127 339.

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ResourcesToothbrushing Information

Resources available to you

There is a variety of oral health promotion resources available such as a DVD entitled “Clean Teeth For Life”, as well as posters, brochures and stickers.

You can contact the Oral Heath Promotion Officer on 1800 127 339 for further information.

You can also access resources from the Northern Territory Oral Health Service website found at: www.health.nt.gov.au/oral_health

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Colouring and puzzles Toothbrushing Information

Toothy needs some help brightening his day.Photocopy the following pages and complete or colour.

sugardecayulcerteethsmilefluoridesweetsplaqueerosiondentist

milktooth fairytoothbrushtoothpastesoftdrinkbad breathmolarachechocolateenamel

bleedgumstongueacidrotten

Can you help toothy find these words, be careful though...They go forwards, backwards and diagonally as well as up and down.

WORD SEARCHb r o t t e n p l o a i s a c x t lm a e d o p r l f t e m s u g a r su l c e r r o a a r x h e t o h o dd f h c i j g q c i d i c a t u t st o o t h b r u s h e v p a o s f ee s c u l o t e d w t o e t o m f ew d o k a r e d s e f r f e d u t qs m l f c d e c a y b y t o u g o tb i a d a e t u e d o e r o s i o nm u t h l y h o a e r x p r o x t cf d e p b t e b t e n a m e l s h el t o o t h f a i r y p s q i u p du d z d o s e g u m a u m o y m a io s e i o l n x d e n t i s t i s mr a b e u i w u r e e d l i o o t ii v u p l s u a f t o o e t j f e kd r f l w b l s t z t o n g u e b ye b i u s o f t d r i n k u d o a vs f e s m i l m e s w e e t s t i s

This time Toothy needs to get through the maze to meet Scrubby his toothbrush chum. Find the quickest way for him to get out.

START

SPOT THE DIFFERENCEToothy needs help finding the differences with the pictures

There are eight to find this time

Only five to find here

Further informationToothbrushing Information

Further information and assistance

If you have any questions or good news stories please contact:

Dental Therapist/DentistName:

Phone Number:

Email:

Or your regular Dental Therapist/Dentist.

*** To be filled out by your Dental Therapist/Dentist

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www.health.nt.gov.au/oral_health

Oral Health Promotion1800 127 339 Northern Territory Oral Health Service

START

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www.nt.gov.au/health