“National Brush in Day”

 I am not sure what the person was thinking that came up with “Brush In Day” but clearly social services should have been involved at some point.  This form of child abuse has long ended but back in the 1960’s and 70’s it seemed to a sanctioned event by our parents, or maybe they just were not paying attention.

There has been some debate where it took place.  Some say it was in the front lawn of the Red Brick School, Aspen Middle School at the time.  Others say it took place in the playground of the Yellow Brick School, the Aspen Elementary School at the time.  I believe both camps may be right based on which year the crime took place.  I for one remember most vividly, having all of us paraded from the school to Peapcke Park one block away.  At the time, before we picked up our house and moved it, we lived across the street from the park.

The crime went like this… all of the students were lined up in the park, or whatever venue it took place that year.  Each student was given a small “dab” of fluoride paste, a Dixie cup of water and a small red chewable pill.  We also got a small, toothbrush to aid in committing this travesty.  Very exacting instructions were given to us, dip the toothbrush in the water and then rub it the pile of fluoride.  At that point the punishment commenced when we were told to thoroughly brush our teeth.  Once the gagging and brushing stopped, we were allowed to spit out the paste.  Many followed that act with a retching sound; some even fertilized the grass at that point.  I was glad that I was yet to eat my lunch.  My mom’s standard affair of white bread lathered in Miracle Whip and processed American cheese.  Had I already had lunch, that sandwich would have come up faster than greased lightning.  But I digress.

For those of us not busy “selling Buicks” our next task was to chew up that little red pill.  After what we had already been forced to put in our mouths, the pill was a non-event.  What it revealed was another story.  That damn pill showed the teachers and dentists in attendance just how poorly we had brushed our teeth on the first go-around.

Rinse and repeat!  More nasty fluoride and brushing ensued.  More throwing up, gagging and even more groaning became the order of the day.

When the carnage was over the park was a white as snow, even some yellow snow if you catch my drift.  Let’s not forget, this was in the 1960’s and there was another side effect to this whole ordeal.  Peapcke Park was a “safe haven” for the hippies and druggies of the day.  After watching a bunch of brushing, gagging and yacking children, many of the hippies disappeared into the hills and did not come back for over a week.

My memory is strong but even it has some gaps but as for this annual event, I recall about four “Brush In” Days.  I can only hope there was a law passed putting this to an end once and for all.