UK - Join in Oldham’s Big Brush to stop the rot

Join in Oldham’s Big Brush to stop the rot

 November 9, 2017 Aimee Belmore

Oldham Council’s annual toothbrushing ‘The Big Brush 2017’ is running from Monday 13 November until Friday 17 November to get as many under-fives to brush their teeth as possible.

Oldham’s under-fives have some of the worst tooth decay in the country and we need families to do their bit to stop the rot.

The council is doing their bit by organising brushing activities in children’s centres and nurseries and participants will be rewarded with brushing tools including toothpaste, toothbrushes, timers and charts throughout the week.

Oldham Libraries have a variety of fun and educational events too. Little ones can don their pyjamas and listen to teeth-related bedtime stories before learning some top oral health tips.

Families can also join Davey on his journey to find his lost tooth, as Oldham Coliseum’s Young Rep Company bring The Tale of the Lost Tooth to libraries across Oldham.

There’s an opportunity to learn from the expert with a Q&A session and teeth cleaning demonstration from Amjad Chaudhary, dentist and owner of The Tooth Place on Yorkshire Street. Parents can submit questions through the council’s social media channels and watch Dr Chaudhary answer them later in the week.

Councillor Eddie Moores, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: “Every child should brush their teeth with family fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day as soon as the first tooth appears, especially at bedtime and at one other time during the day.

“It’s extremely worrying the amount of under-fives in the borough who have tooth decay and it is a huge priority for the council, and our partners, to tackle this issue.

“Along with our partners we’ve been working hard to educate families and provide support to mothers as soon as their child is born. It is parents’ responsibility to make sure children brush their teeth, but we believe providing advice and support to parents as early as possible will lead to better habits and oral health.

“I urge all parents to get involved in The Big Brush and as a result we can all ensure our children have smiles for life.”

Families can share their toothbrushing photos with us on Twitter, using #bigbrush

You can also follow the council’s Twitter account @oldhamcouncil and Facebook page: www.facebook.com/loveoldham

Get advice on taking care of children’s teeth at www.oldham.gov.uk/babyteeth

To find a local dentist call NHS England on 0300 311 2233.