A Trip to the Dentist

Students can define cavity, healthy food, and snacks.  They will describe the relationship between excessive sugar consumption and obesity, diabetes and tooth decay.  They also will demonstrate good hygiene to properly floss teeth.

Duration
1-2 hours
Lesson Type
1:1 Lesson

Lesson Partners: Knowitall.org

Collections

Essential Question

Do you brush and floss your teeth everyday?  Are you making good snack choices?

Grade(s):

  • Kindergarten
  • 2
  • 4
  • 5

Subject(s):

Recommended Technology:

A projector to play a video clip
A device per student (or groups of students)

Other Instructional Materials or Notes:

Lesson Progression

Primary Message: Limit sugary foods
Secondary Message: Proper hygiene in oral care.

After watching Healthy Hannah's Healthy Choice Heroes repeat the question asked by Healthy Hannah:  Do you brush and floss your teeth everyday?

Objective #1 -
Define vocabulary words: cavity, added sugars, obesity, diabetes

Objective #2 - 
Define the relationship between excessive sugar consumption and obesity, diabetes, and tooth decay.
Activity: The teacher will go over the information on the Added Sugars Resource #1.  The teacher will then assign each student an added sugar ingredient (found on Resource #1) to research.  Ask students to find out what foods have high amounts of their added sugar.  Use the bottom of Resource #1 to tie into the reasons we should limit these.

Objective #3 - 
Demonstrate good hygiene in properly flossing teeth.
Activity: Life-size flossing.  Have kids demonstrate how to properly floss teeth by having at least 3 volunteers stand in front of the class as "teeth" and 2 more students are given a jump rope to "floss" the teeth.  Make sure they floss both sides of the teeth and all the way down to the "gums" or floor.
Materials Needed: jump rope

Additional Activity - Added Sugars Crossword - printable.   Could use a web-based program to create one online for students to answer.  

A Trip to the Dentist | Healthy Hannah

Healthy Hannah explains why teeth are also an important part of your health.

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Added Sugars Crossword

A crossword puzzle to review information taught during the lesson.

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Added Sugars Crossword Answers

Answers for the Added Sugars Crossword

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Added Sugars Resource

Teacher resource - information for "A trip to the Dentist" lesson

View Resource

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