5 March 2025

March is the perfect time to shine a spotlight on a crucial aspect of early childhood care—oral health! With Oral Health Day on March 20th, Scallywags Nursery is excited to focus on building strong, healthy smiles in our little ones. As early years professionals, we know how important it is to nurture healthy habits from the start, and oral hygiene is no exception.

Oral health is vital for overall well-being, yet tooth decay remains one of the most common chronic conditions affecting young children. The good news? Tooth decay is largely preventable, and setting the foundation for good oral hygiene in the early years can have lasting benefits. That’s why we’re committed to integrating oral health practices into our daily routines and curriculum. Let’s explore why this matter and how you, as parents and carers, can support these practices at home.

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗢𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝗘𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗜𝘀 𝗦𝗼 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁

The early years are a key period for establishing habits that last a lifetime. Children’s teeth start developing long before they are born, and by the time they are toddlers, they have their first set of baby teeth. These early teeth are important not only for eating and speaking, but also for holding space for permanent teeth. If these baby teeth experience decay, it can lead to pain, infection, and difficulty eating, which can have long-term effects on their health, speech development, and confidence.

Additionally, poor oral health in childhood can contribute to problems later, such as misaligned teeth and more serious dental issues. That’s why teaching children how to care for their teeth early on is a simple but powerful way to invest in their health.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗪𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆𝘄𝗮𝗴𝘀 𝗡𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘆

At Scallywags, we integrate healthy habits into our daily routines all year round, but for Oral Health Day, we’ll be placing an extra emphasis on the importance of oral hygiene. This special day gives us the perfect opportunity to focus even more on teaching children about the significance of looking after their teeth, while reinforcing healthy practices that we encourage throughout the year.

Oral health is not just a separate lesson—it’s woven into our daily activities. We’ll be reading fun, engaging stories about teeth and smiles, discussing the best foods and drinks for strong teeth, and encouraging children to practice brushing using dolls and mirrors. Interactive learning like this helps children understand why taking care of their teeth matters, making it more likely they will take ownership of their oral hygiene. Additionally, we’re excited to collaborate with parents who work as professionals in oral health, as their expertise can offer valuable insights and real-life examples for the children. We will also be welcoming dentists into the setting to enhance the children’s understanding of oral health, providing them with an opportunity to ask questions and see how the professionals care for their own teeth.

𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝘆 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀

What children eat plays a huge role in their dental health. That’s why we ensure our nursery provides nutritious snacks, with an emphasis on options that are low in sugar and rich in the nutrients children need. Sugary foods will only be offered sparingly, and our hot lunches are carefully planned by nutritionists to make sure they’re as healthy as possible.

𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝘆 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗛𝗮𝗯𝗶𝘁𝘀

Milk and water are our drinks of choice, available throughout the day to keep little ones hydrated and their teeth healthy. On special occasions, fruit juices may be offered, but we avoid fizzy drinks entirely at the nursery, as they are high in sugar and acidity—both of which can contribute to tooth decay.

𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺

We understand the importance of staying informed and up-to-date when it comes to promoting oral health in early childhood. That’s why our staff regularly attend oral health CPD sessions with the NHS Dental Outreach Team. This ensures that our team is equipped with the latest knowledge and skills to support the children in our care.

In addition to staff training, we have Oral Health Champions within our setting—Demi and Becky—who are passionate about championing oral health and leading initiatives to support the children and families at Scallywags. Thanks to their dedication and the ongoing commitment of our entire team, our nursery has achieved Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards from the Kent Community Health Foundation Trust (KCHFT) NHS Dental Outreach Team.

𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗢𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀

Here are just a few of the keyways we’ve supported oral health at Scallywags:

🦷 Hosted a parent workshop – providing parents with information, tips, and advice on how to support their children’s oral hygiene at home.
🦷 Hosted a children’s workshop – giving children a hands-on, fun opportunity to learn about brushing, healthy foods, and why oral health is important.
🦷 Supported children in their tooth brushing – helping children practice brushing techniques to ensure they’re developing the skills they need for lifelong oral health.
🦷 Participated in staff training sessions – ensuring our team is well-equipped to provide the best care and guidance for oral health.
🦷 Nominated our own Oral Health Champion – acknowledging and celebrating staff members who go above and beyond to promote oral health in the nursery.

𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲

We believe that oral health isn’t just something that happens at the nursery—it’s a family effort. That’s why we provide parents and carers with helpful resources and practical advice for supporting oral hygiene at home. From brushing techniques to choosing healthy snacks, we’ll work together to ensure children develop good habits that last a lifetime. To further support families, we offer an Oral Health Parent Pack that families can borrow, filled with tips and tricks to help reinforce good oral hygiene practices at home. This resource is designed to make it easier for parents to maintain consistent oral health routines with their children.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗗𝗼 𝗮𝘁 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲

As a parent or carer, there are many ways you can help your child maintain healthy teeth:

1. Brushing Twice a Day: Start brushing your child’s teeth as soon as they come through. It’s essential to use a small, soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, brushing gently in circular motions.
2. Visit the Dentist Early: It’s recommended that children have their first dental check-up by age one. Early visits help establish a dental care routine and ensure any potential issues are caught early.
3. Choose Healthy Snacks: Offer a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, while limiting sugary snacks like sweets and cakes. When offering sugary treats, make sure they’re consumed during mealtimes, not as snacks.
4. Limit Sugary Drinks: Encourage water and milk, and try to limit fruit juices and sugary drinks, as they can contribute to cavities.
5. Lead by Example: Children are more likely to develop good habits when they see their parents or carers brushing and taking care of their own teeth.

𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱

Oral health is about more than just a pretty smile—it’s about ensuring that our children are healthy, confident, and happy. By integrating these practices into our curriculum, supporting healthy eating, and providing families with the tools and knowledge they need, we can all work together to foster lifelong oral health habits.

This March, in honour of Oral Health Day on March 20th, we encourage all families to take a moment to reflect on the importance of oral hygiene and join us in creating a foundation for healthy, happy smiles!

If you have any questions about how to support oral health at home, feel free to reach out to us. We’re always here to help!

For more resources on oral health, check out:

• PACEY: Oral Health
• UK Government: Child Dental Health

Let’s make healthy teeth a priority this March—because a great smile starts with healthy habits!

Oral health blog written by Demi Eastment