Dental Health Sensory Activities for Preschoolers
Dental health starts early, so it is important for children as young as preschool to learn good dental hygiene. Often teachers and parents have a hard time convincing toddlers that it is important to brush their teeth and take care of their gums. Dental health sensory activities can help preschoolers, while allowing them to have fun.
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Sensory Table
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The bottoms of plastic water bottles have texture similar to teeth. Cut the bottom off of 3 or 4 small water bottles and flip them upside down. Staple them together and glue them to a board or other flat surface. Give preschoolers a toothbrush and let them practice brushing the teeth with baking soda and water, or regular toothpaste. Let them rinse the teeth with water and discuss proper brushing techniques.
Painting Activity
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Give each student a yellow piece of paper and remind them that certain foods and drinks can stain their teeth. Explain to them that tartar can build up on their teeth and it is important to brush it off. You can have them cut out the shape of a tooth from the yellow paper and then give them white paint and a tooth brush. Have them brush the 'tartar' off their tooth with the paint.
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Egg and Enamel
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Give each preschooler an egg and discuss how the shell protects the egg. Have the preschoolers run their tongue over their teeth and tell them that the enamel on their teeth is a lot like the egg shell. Have each student place their egg in a jar of vinegar and leave the jars on a shelf. After a few days, remove the eggs carefully and discuss how the egg shell has changed and broken down. Explain that food can have the same effect on tooth enamel and that brushing is important.
Dental Collage
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Give each student two paper plates. Have them draw a happy face in the center of one and a sad face in the other. Have students cut pictures of food out of magazines and grocery store ads. Discuss foods that are good for teeth and foods that are bad for teeth. Have them paste the good foods on the happy plate and the bad foods on the sad plate.
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References
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