Discovery and Science

Ice Teeth

Cavity Free Kids > Activities > Discovery and Science > Ice Teeth
23

Supplies and Preparation

  • Make ice cubes (teeth) before class.
  • Salt.
  • Food coloring.

Print PDFs:

Parent Handout - Lift the Lip PDF

Parent Handout - Germs Make Cavities PDF

Parent Handout - Germs and My Teeth PDF

Parent Handout - Baby Teeth Are Important PDF

Instructions

Place ice cubes (teeth) on the sensory table.

Sprinkle salt on top of the ice cubes.

Encourage children to squeeze a drop of food coloring on top of the ice cube and watch holes form.

The ice is like your tooth and the holes are like cavities forming when you do not brush your teeth after eating.

Related Activities

Share this activity


Activity Index

Baby Teeth are Important

Goal

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.

 

CFK Throughout the Day

Throughout the Classroom
  • Decorate a bulletin board with pictures of dental tools children may see at a dentist office. Label them.
  • Hang a chart in the classroom called “I had a dental check-up.” Create a thermometer visual that you color in as children get their dental check-up.
  • Set up a pretend dental office for dramatic play.   
At Meals and Snacks
  • Ask:  Who’s been to the dentist?  What do you remember about the visit?
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 Tell children the dentist will be so proud of them when he sees how well they have been brushing.
  • Have children pretend their brushes are like the special spinning toothbrush the dentist uses and make a humming noise while they brush.
During Transitions
  • When children are getting ready to go home, put a sticker on each child that says, “Today I learned about visiting the dentist!”

 

Activities for Early Learning