The Dental Ark 915.855.2337 
Brushing while at school can be beneficial and even vital for children.
Brushing teeth 2-3 times a day—morning, night, and another convenient time throughout the day—is usually recommended by children’s dentists.
This means that brushing their teeth at school may not be necessary because they can brush their teeth when they get home.
However, if your child wears braces, brushing after lunch at school may be important. He or she may need to rinse their mouth after eating or snacking at school, at the very least.
Just keep in mind that brushing and flossing are critical for maintaining healthy teeth and gums.
Cavities can be avoided with proper oral hygiene throughout childhood. Brushing at school may also be required for certain children to have healthy smiles.
Important considerations if your child brushes his or her teeth at school – If your child is too small to brush on his or her own, make sure an adult supervises/assists with toothbrushing.
To avoid germ exposure, make sure your child stores the toothbrush in a clean setting.
• The school nurse may be able to assist you with brushing your teeth. To give your child some privacy, ask the school nurse whether he or she can do so in his or her nurse’s “office.”
• If your child wears orthodontic braces, talk to the school nurse and anybody else in charge about the importance of brushing at school.
Make sure you seek your child's permission before they begin brushing at school...
The school and district where your child attends may or may not allow teeth brushing at school.
It’s always a good idea to double-check with your child’s school to see if he or she is allowed to brush or floss while at school.
If your child absolutely must brush, his or her dentist may be able to write a “doctor’s note” that can be submitted to the school to justify brushing during school hours.
If brushing is not permitted at your child’s school, use these strategies to avoid cavities during the school year.
There are things you and your child may do to encourage healthy teeth and gums if the school does not allow your child to brush his or her teeth at school.
- Encourage your youngster to consume foods that are part of a balanced diet. Sugary foods and beverages should be avoided as much as possible. Your youngster should wash his or her teeth as soon as possible after consuming sugary meals or liquids.
- Instead of sugary beverages, your child should drink water at school at lunch and snack time.
- Before your child goes to school in the morning, make sure he or she brushes his or her teeth.
- When your child gets home from school, make sure he or she brushes his or her teeth. If he or she has orthodontic braces, they can rinse their mouth with water after drinking and/or eating in the school bathroom or the nurse's "office."
If you suspect your child has cavities or needs a routine checkup during the school year (or at other times of the year), call Stevensons Dental Ark or The Dental Ark. We offer a variety of pediatric dental services to address typical dental issues that children face.
