Basics of Oral Health 1: Baby Teeth Are Important

Basics of Oral Health 1: Baby Teeth Are Important

Goal: Learn why baby teeth are important

Big Bites: Things You Should Know
  • Baby teeth are important – they help us smile, eat, talk, and hold space for adult teeth.
  • Baby teeth, also called primary teeth, will start to come in at about 6 months of age and continue to until about age two and a half.
  • Taking care of children’s baby teeth helps to establish good oral health habits and increases the chances of having a healthy mouth later in life.
Home Visit
Art
Discovery & Science
Dramatic Play
Literacy & Library
Music & Movement
Sand & Water
Circle Time
Toys & Games
All

CFK Throughout the Day

Throughout the Classroom
  • Use children’s artwork to create a bulletin board. Add oral health related words.
  • Add books about why teeth are important to the library (see curriculum Teacher Tools).
At Meals and Snacks
  • Ask: Why are baby teeth important? What jobs do our teeth do while we eat lunch? Let me see everyone chew a bite of food. Do you think we could chew without teeth? Why or why not?
While Brushing Teeth
  • Remind children that it’s important to brush teeth to keep them clean, healthy and strong.
  • During Transitions
  • Ask: Why are baby teeth important? What jobs do our teeth do while we eat lunch?
  • Have children point to and count their teeth while you count to 20.