Dental Health Activities For Preschool and Kindergarten

Since childhood dental hygiene is such an important topic, I thought I'd include a few activity ideas as well as resources for presenting your kids a unit study with oral health as the central theme throughout the unit.  I did find quite a few resources with a number of ideas and activities that related to the theme, but not many of the resources focused very directly on teaching children the actual care of their teeth so first I'd like to offer a few activity ideas that will help your kids have the skills they need to truly care for their gums and teeth.

Activities to Help Kids Practice Good Oral Care:

Healthy Food and Drink Choices

Sugary foods encourage the growth of a variety of germs that cause things like gum disease or tooth decay, but acidic foods also wear down the enamel of the tooth.  Even vitamin "water" is really a juice in terms of how it can affect the chemistry of the interior of the mouth. 

Do a quick lesson about "sugar bugs" and the foods they like to eat (include sugary foods as well as acidic).  Then give the kids a bunch of magazines.  Magazines with lots of food in them are best, but it isn't necessary that they all be for "foodies".  Have the kids fill up one paper with cut out pics of things that make the sugar bugs grow and multiply a lot.  Then, have the kids cut out pictures of foods that still need to be brushed off, but are healthy for the body and can help strengthen teeth from within because they are high in vitamins and minerals.

Brushing Teeth

The Doctors Show three kids what to do on the show.  My hygienist recommends more of a flicking motion (more like the dentist uses in this video) moving away from the gum line than a circular (healthier for the gums and still gets the gunk), but finding a fun video that shows this flicking motion  wasn't something I could do.  Here is Colgate's Take on how brushing occurs (hosted by a young girl).

Caring for Gums and Tissue

For many kids, flossing is the especially difficult skill.  I know of many parents that simply resort to letting their kids use mouth wash and figuring the kids are okay.  Unfortunately, rinsing simply does not replace using floss.  Using a water pik can be a wonderful activity for gum health, but rinsing is definitely no replacement to flossing. 

Have your kids construct a mouthful of teeth as in the picture below.  You will need pink construction paper cut into a long oval shape, mini marshmallows, yarn and glue. 

I folded the paper in the middle so the top jaw can fold over the bottom jaw after the glue dries.  When it is done, I stuck a few sequins between some of the teeth here and there.  Alice used the yarn to "floss" the teeth.  In real life, she uses those flossers because it helps her hold the floss so she can focus on scraping the "gunk" off of her teeth.  I then go back over her flossing job myself, just to be sure.

The point of this activity is that they practice the motion of moving the yarn so it presses gently into the side of the "teeth" marshmallows.  With some guidance, they can then hopefully transfer this understanding to their own flossing process before bed every night.  If their gums aren't healthy, it will be uncomfortable, but with consistent practice at keeping the gum line clean and "gunk" free, it will get better and easier because their gums will get healthier and less sensitive.

Resource for a Premade Kindergarten Unit including printables.  This resource has a number of pages focused on learning vocabulary words and colors.

Dental Health Studies

With Halloween arriving soon - and all the candy that comes with it, I thought I'd finally do an article about kids and their dental health.  My hygienist has been asking me too during the last few trips to see her as she cares deeply about children and their dental health and knows I write this blog.  Frankly, it is such a huge topic, it truly deserves a series of blarticles.

One in four children have already experienced tooth decay by the age of five.  In fact, it is the most prevalent childhood illness.  While you might respond with the idea that they'll grow new teeth anyway, this leaves kids with experiences with dentists that involve far more pain than necessary and the resulting fear that goes with it.  It also generally would indicate those same kids probably are not taking care of their gums either.  Something that will not get replaced later on.

The Real Deal about Childhood Dental Care:

In the past, baby teeth were often ignored because they fall out and are replaced by more permanent teeth. But, baby teeth need to be protected. They are important to a young child who is just learning to eat and speak, and they help guide adult teeth into place.  Plus, teaching kids to care for their teeth from the earliest days helps them be better prepared when their permanent teeth do arrive.  When I taught preschool, I had many parents suddenly decide to start teaching their kids to brush at the age of two or three and wonder why their kids screamed and put up a fuss at brushing time.  Here's the thing, teeth brushing, if you already have infected gums and sensitive areas is NOT comfortable.

If your child's physician pays attention to oral health, it can work to use a general pediatrician because parents take their children to physicians for well-child checkups as many as 11 times before age 3. A physician can check teeth for signs of early decay, provide information to parents about protecting oral health and refer the child to a dentist when follow-up care is needed.  However, many pediatricians don't see this as their job and are not well informed about oral health care.  Do not assume your child's pediatrician will take dental health into consideration.  Make sure, and if the pediatrician says anything to indicate it hasn't already been a part of his or her considerations, find out who the best local dental pediatrician in your health plan is.

One of the most important tips for good oral health is simple: children should have an oral health screening by their first birthday by a dentist or a physician.  The prevailing wisdom used to be that kids don’t need their first screening until age 3.  However, recent studies show that this is not soon enough. Teething usually starts around six months of age and dental decay can begin soon after teeth emerge. So early screenings, by age one, are an important tool to prevent dental disease.  Pediatric dentists will encourage checks and the development of a relationship between child and dentist as early as possible.

Before they cut their first tooth a baby already has gums that need care.  Using gauze to wipe their gums after they've eaten (yes, your milk counts too!) will help discourage the build up and growth of the germs in baby's mouth that will cause mouth disease.  Additionally, it gets them used to the sensations involved with oral care making learning to care for their teeth and gums later on fun and as normal as learning to dress rather than traumatic.

Suggestions From Eve Rutherford:

Here are some oral health tips that I share with parents:

• Beginning at birth, wipe your baby’s gums with a washcloth or piece of gauze after feeding.
• As soon as you see baby’s first tooth, start brushing it with a soft “baby” toothbrush. Use a small amount (rice-sized) of toothpaste.
• Try putting your child’s head in your lap to make brushing easier.
• Limit how often your child has juice, sweet drinks or snacks. Constant snacking on sugary, sticky or starchy foods or sipping sweet liquids can cause tooth decay.
• Ask your child’s dentist or physician about fluoride varnish, which is painted on the teeth to prevent or heal early decay.
• If you put your baby to bed with a bottle, fill it with water.  Formula, milk, or juice can increase your child’s risk of cavities.
• Around age 4 or 5, your child will be ready to practice brushing their own teeth.  Children still need your help brushing until they are 8 years old or until they can tie their shoes.
• Medicaid covers dental care for children.
• Please help spread the word that children’s dental disease is preventable and taking care of baby teeth is the best way to get started.

Eve Rutherford is a dentist practicing in Snohomish, a board member of Washington Dental Service Foundation and a mother of two young boys.

You might also check out: Goofy Toofy for more detailed information and resources. 

Please look forward to my upcoming blarticle that will give you resources to complete a Unit Study on dental health.