The Brushing for Life initiative

Better Oral Hygiene For Children

Teeth Brushing Habit
Families with young children are being encouraged to get into the habit of brushing their children's teeth regularly.
The Brushing for Life initiative, launched by Health Minister Rosie Winterton at the Appleby health centre in the London Borough of Newham, will see health visitors and health care professionals distribute free Brushing for Life packs to families with young children when they visit their local health centre.
The packs contain a Colgate toothpaste, toothbrush and a leaflet on oral hygeine. The staff will also provide advice about caring for children's teeth.
Launching the initiative, Rosie Winterton said, 'Thanks to the introduction of fluoride toothpaste and better oral health education, there have been major improvements in oral health. However, behaviour we learn as children on diet and dental hygiene lasts all our lives.
That is why it is so important that children learn to look after their teeth well when they are young. Learning the importance of brushing your teeth well when you are young means you are less likely to suffer from bad oral health when you are older, and that is what these kits are designed to do.'