As a parent or teacher, you play a crucial role in helping children develop healthy habits that will last a lifetime. Proper dental hygiene is one of the most essential habits to instil early on. By engaging preschoolers in fun, educational activities focused on oral health, you can set them up for a lifetime of healthy, cavity-free smiles.
This article will explore various preschool activities designed to teach children about the importance of dental hygiene and how to maintain strong, healthy teeth.
Teach Proper Brushing Technique
The foundation of good oral health is proper brushing. Make brushing fun and engaging for preschoolers with these interactive activities:
Toothbrush Painting
Provide children with toothbrushes and non-toxic, washable paint. Encourage them to “brush” a large paper tooth cutout, using circular motions and covering all surfaces. This activity helps develop fine motor skills while reinforcing proper brushing techniques.
Brushing Buddies
Pair children up and have them take turns practising brushing each other’s teeth using oversized play toothbrushes. This activity promotes social interaction and helps children understand the importance of brushing all surfaces of their teeth.
Two-Minute Tunes
Teach children that they should brush their teeth for two minutes each time. Create a playlist of fun, two-minute songs that children can brush along to, ensuring they brush for the recommended amount of time.
| Brushing Technique Tips |
| Use gentle, circular motions |
| Brush all surfaces of each tooth |
| Brush for two minutes twice daily |
| Use a soft-bristled, child-sized toothbrush |
| Replace toothbrush every 3-4 months |
Encourage Regular Flossing Habits
Flossing is an essential part of maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Introduce flossing to preschoolers with these engaging activities:
Flossing Fun
Provide children with large, plastic tooth models and oversized floss. Demonstrate proper flossing technique and encourage children to practice flossing between the model teeth. This hands-on activity helps children understand the importance of flossing and develops their dexterity.
Floss Dance
Create a simple dance routine that mimics the motions of flossing. Encourage children to dance along, moving their arms and hands in a flossing motion. This activity gets children moving while reinforcing the importance of daily flossing.
| Flossing Tips |
| Floss once daily |
| Use a gentle back-and-forth motion |
| Curve the floss around each tooth |
| Use a clean section of floss for each tooth |
| Be patient and persistent |
Promote Tooth-Healthy Eating Habits
What children eat plays a significant role in their dental health. Encourage healthy eating habits with these fun, educational activities:
Healthy Teeth Collage
Provide children with magazines, scissors, and glue. Have them cut out pictures of foods good for their teeth, such as fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. Then, have them glue the images onto a large paper tooth cutout to create a healthy teeth collage. This activity helps children identify tooth-friendly foods.
Crunchy Vegetable Sensory Bin
Fill a sensory bin with crunchy vegetables like carrots, celery, and bell peppers. Encourage children to explore the vegetables using their senses and discuss how these crunchy foods help clean their teeth. This activity promotes healthy snacking habits and sensory exploration.
| Tooth-Healthy Foods | Foods to Limit |
| Fruits and vegetables | Sugary snacks and drinks |
| Dairy products (milk, cheese, yoghurt) | Sticky candies |
| Lean proteins | Starchy, processed snacks |
| Whole grains | Acidic foods and drinks |
| Water | Frequent snacking |
Engage in Educational Dental Activities
Reinforce dental health concepts through interactive, educational activities:
Tooth Fairy Dramatic Play
Set up a dramatic play area with a dentist chair, lab coats, masks, gloves, and play dental instruments. Encourage children to take turns being the dentist, patient, and tooth fairy. This imaginative play helps children become more comfortable with dental visits and reinforces the importance of oral hygiene.
Dental Health Sorting Game
Provide children with pictures depicting dental health items (toothbrush, toothpaste, floss) and non-dental items (hairbrush, soap, comb). Have children sort the pictures into two categories: things that help keep teeth healthy and things that do not. This activity allows children to identify dental health tools and reinforces their importance.
| Educational Dental Health Resources |
| Dental health books and stories |
| Dental health songs and fingerplays |
| Dental health videos and apps |
| Dental health colouring pages and worksheets |
| Dental health puzzles and games |
Make Dental Hygiene Fun
Keep children engaged and excited about dental hygiene with these fun activities:
Toothbrush Art
Provide children with toothbrushes, paint, and paper. Encourage them to create unique works of art using the toothbrushes as paintbrushes. This activity makes toothbrushes fun and exciting, encouraging children to view them positively.
Toothpaste Slime
Make homemade slime using white glue, baking soda, contact lens solution, and peppermint extract. The slime will look and smell like toothpaste, providing a fun sensory experience while reinforcing the importance of toothpaste in dental hygiene.
| Fun Dental Hygiene Tips |
| Let children choose their toothbrush and toothpaste |
| Use sticker charts or rewards for consistent brushing and flossing |
| Make up silly songs or stories about dental hygiene |
| Use timers, apps, or games to make brushing and flossing fun |
| Brush and floss together as a family |
Establish a Daily Dental Routine
Help children establish a consistent daily dental hygiene routine with these tips:
Brush Together
Make brushing a family activity. Brush your teeth alongside your children, modelling proper technique and duration. Children are more likely to adopt healthy habits when they see them consistently modelled by adults.
Reward Chart
Create a brushing and flossing reward chart. Each time children brush and floss as directed, they earn a sticker or star. They earn a small, non-food reward once they reach a predetermined number of stickers or stars. This positive reinforcement encourages consistent dental hygiene habits.
| Daily Dental Routine |
| Brush twice daily (morning and night) |
| Floss once daily (preferably at night) |
| Use fluoride toothpaste |
| Drink plenty of water |
| Limit sugary and acidic foods and drinks |
Visit the Dentist Regularly
Regular dental check-ups are essential for maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Encourage positive dental visits with these tips:
Pretend Play
Use dramatic play to help children become more comfortable with dental visits. Set up a pretend dental office in your classroom or home, complete with a dentist chair, lab coats, masks, and play dental instruments. Encourage children to take turns being the dentist and patient, practising gentle examinations and discussing the importance of regular check-ups.
Read Dental Visit Books
Read books about dental visits to help children know what to expect. Look for books that present dental visits positively and non-threateningly, emphasizing the importance of regular check-ups and the friendly, helpful nature of dentists and dental hygienists.
| Dental Visit Tips |
| Schedule regular check-ups every six months |
| Choose a pediatric dentist who specializes in working with children |
| Prepare children for visits by reading books and playing pretend |
| Use positive language when discussing dental visits |
| Reward children for positive dental visit behaviour |
Conclusion
Incorporating these fun, educational dental health activities into your preschool curriculum or home routine can help children develop positive attitudes and habits surrounding oral hygiene. Regular brushing, flossing, healthy eating, and dental check-ups are essential for maintaining strong, healthy teeth and gums. Making dental hygiene engaging and enjoyable prepares children for a lifetime of healthy smiles.
Remember, the key to success is consistency and positivity. Model good dental hygiene habits, make learning fun, and celebrate children’s efforts and progress. With your guidance and support, preschoolers can develop the skills and habits necessary for a lifetime of optimal oral health.