Goal: Learn how to brush, floss and swish with water and why it’s important.
Big Bites: Things You Should Know
Everyone should brush their teeth for two minutes, two times a day (after breakfast and before bed).
Use a smear of fluoridated toothpaste starting with tooth eruption to age 3; after that, use a pea size.
Brush all sides of each tooth using a small amount of fluoridated toothpaste. Do not rinse your mouth out when you finish brushing.
Floss at least once a day to remove food and germs stuck between teeth. Begin flossing a child’s teeth when the teeth touch.
When brushing is not possible, after eating rinse your mouth with water. Swish the water around your mouth and then swallow it. Children can usually swish and swallow at about age 3.
An adult should assist a child with brushing until they can tie a shoe lace, between 6 to 8 years old.
Hide cut outs of toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss and cups in different sizes and colors around the room and have the children find and then count them.
Put a sign on the door such as: 18 children brushed their teeth at school today!
Take pictures of the children brushing their teeth. Make a bulletin board and display the photos. Include pretend tooth healthy foods in the dramatic play area of your classroom.
At Meals and Snacks
Ask: How should we clean our teeth after we finish eating? What should we do?
Ask: Who brushed their teeth? Did you see any germs?
While Brushing Teeth
Be a role model. Brush your teeth with the children to show you take care of your teeth too.
Talk about making tiny, tickly circles with a toothbrush to clean the food and germs away.
Give each child an “I brushed my teeth today” sticker to wear home.
During Transitions
Have the children say as many words as they can think of about their teeth. What are all the tooth words that start with “T” or “B”?
