Supernanny host Jo Frost has warned parents that they could be ‘neglecting’ their children if they’re not supervising their young children while they brush their teeth.
Last week, the government confirmed it would be launching a national toothbrushing campaign to ‘revive’ the country’s oral health and erase the burden on NHS dentists.
Taking place in nurseries and schools, the programme is set to encourage children to brush their teeth with fluoride toothpaste and has been given £11,000,000 in funding, targeting three to five-year-olds in the most deprived areas of England.
But Jo was less than impressed, writing in a controversial Instagram post: ‘Parents if you are not supervising your young children or brushing your VERY young children’s teeth that is PARENTAL NEGLECT.’
‘What else will schools do for parents? First potty training now teeth brushing,’ the caption of Jo’s post added.
‘How many other life skill schemes will teachers have to take on, distracting them from their real role when in fact it is actually a parent’s responsibility to uphold.
‘It is your child’s basic fundamental rite [sic] to be cared for and their basic needs met.
‘Where are the healthy boundaries in place, the education clearly needed that teaches families the consequences of such neglect, the line between their role as primary carers and a school’s.’
In Jo’s view, a better approach would be ‘nationwide commercial warnings of tooth decay’ as ‘this is where parents will probably see this awareness best, on their screens!’
She added that it’s a parent’s responsibility to ‘uphold and teach their young children basic hygiene.’
However, not everyone was impressed – and the comments section was inundated with mixed sentiments on Jo’s opinion.
‘If you FORGOT to brush your kids’ teeth one day…YOU’RE STILL A GOOD MOM (or parent). Someone needs to hear that,’ @laurenkateclanton penned.
‘What about autistic toddlers who are extremely sensory? It’s extremely difficult,’ @janrose39 highlighted.
‘Love you Jo but consider the kids with disabilities as well and parents trying their ultimate best to brush their teeth.’
@ellynjean added: ‘Send out the super nannies!!! As a teacher, I couldn’t agree with you more on all of this,’ while @muffin918 also agreed, asking: ‘When the hell did parents stop parenting?’
But in parenting specialist Kirsty Ketley’s opinion, the reality is much more nuanced.
‘There is no denying that tooth decay in children is a huge problem and along with instilling good habits with brushing correctly, I think there needs to be better regulation on hidden sugar in foods which are popular with parents,’ Kirsty tells Metro.
‘For years though, early years settings have supported parents with tooth brushing. 20 years ago, when I worked in a nursery, the kids all had their own toothbrushes and brushed their teeth under our supervision, and I think it’s a great idea for the government to be giving support with this.
‘The scheme has been introduced to children from the most deprived areas. These are children who have parents living on very low incomes and where they have no proper support. I know of parents who struggle to afford toothpaste or have to ration it…not all parents are able to access help and support where others can.’
When it comes to introducing toothbrushing, Kirsty advises:
- Starting them with a toothbrush ‘as soon as the first tooth appears,’ which might be as early as five or six months. ‘Use a soft brush, suitable for babies and give it to them to hold, and play with, so that they get used to the feeling. You can use a tiny bit of fluoride toothpaste,’ she adds.
- Brushing at the same time as you brush your own teeth in the mornings, ‘so that you are modelling what to do and setting a good example.’ In the evening, Kirsty suggests using bath time to brush, which can serve as a ‘useful distraction’ if they’re not so keen.
- Brushing while they’re sat on your lap for ease, and ‘have them facing away from you and in front of a mirror if possible, so they can see what you are doing and see your face, where you can smile and reassure them.’
- Using praise as positive reinforcement, ensuring you ‘tell them what a great job they’ve done.’
- Setting a two-minute timer, whether on your phone or using a good old-fashioned toothbrushing sand timer and using toothbrushing songs to help.
Elsewhere, childcare expert Kathryn Lord acknowledges that for some parents, working out how to get their children to ‘want to’ brush their teeth can be a source of great difficulty.
In her view, this can also be complicated should they ‘run out of time when they have several children, or children with neurodiversity’ and a ‘stressful school run’ to complete.
‘I believe that our role as caregivers goes beyond the right now and it’s imperative to support the life skills, they will need to be independent adults,’ Kathryn adds.
‘When I was a teacher, I saw children in reception coming to class with little black stumps as teeth. This meant they couldn’t bite or chew properly, never mind the pain that this would cause and the bullying from peers.’
Like Kirsty, Kathryn agrees that songs can support children in teaching them to brush their teeth properly.
‘My favourite song is “Brush your teeth, brush your teeth, give your teeth a treat, brush up and down and all around to keep them clean and neat,’ Kathryn explains.
‘“In the morning and at night, clean them twice a day, brush up and down and all around, keep fillings well away! Hey!”
‘I sing it three times: normally, slowly and whisper, then fast and loud. This means I can ensure they have done all their teeth.’
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