How to Teach Kids About Cavities

The percentage of kids who get at least one cavity in their baby teeth is growing at an alarming rate. Too much sugar is still the main cause, but kids also lack understanding in proper dental care. Parents and dental professionals are responsible for teaching kids good dental hygiene. With the use of puppets, pictures and drawings, parents can teach their kids about cavities without scaring them.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Foods that cause cavities
• Tooth decay pictures
• Puppet
• Foam peanuts
• Kids books about the dentist

1. Explain to kids what a cavity is. If you’re not sure of the best terms, research a dental website such as American Dental Association for a more thorough description of a cavity.

2. Show kids what sorts of foods cause cavities by making a cavity buffet. Fill a table with candy bars, gum, soda, juices made with high fructose corn syrup, cake and brownies. Explain how a little bit of sugary foods is OK, as long as you brush your teeth right after you eat.

3. Get a model or picture of teeth that shows the tops of the molars. Point out where cavities form in the teeth, and demonstrate the best brushing method for getting food out of the cracks and crevices of teeth.

4. Let the kids look at photographs of tooth decay. Point out small and large cavities and talk about how that person could have prevented their cavities.

5. Teach younger children about cavities using a puppet with large teeth. Let the puppet talk about how important teeth are and how they keep their teeth clean. Have the puppet talk about foods that are good and bad for teeth.

6. Read books about going to the dentist, focusing on books that explain how the dentist fills cavities in kid-friendly terms. Many popular children's show characters have books about going to the dentist.

7. Do a cavity craft using foam peanuts as teeth. Draw a large face on a piece of paper and have the kids glue the foam teeth onto the mouth. Pop out a small piece of the foam, color it black and pretend it’s a cavity. Have the kids fill the hole with white modeling clay, representing what the dentist does when he fills a cavity.

Tips & Warnings

• Search the Internet for interactive sites that teach kids about cavities using cartoons and animations.
• Let older kids grocery shop with you, focusing on foods that won't cause cavities.
• Don't show kids pictures of extreme tooth decay or you'll scare them. Look for pictures that show mild tooth decay, or stick with illustrations, which appear less frightening than photographs.

Resources

• American Dental Association