Top Teeth

Top Teeth aims to heighten awareness of dental health for children in Northern Ireland. It is aimed at 7 - 9 year olds and promotes healthy teeth. The interactive games and activities offered on the site will give children an opportunity to learn about dental hygiene, diet for healthy teeth, teeth structure and the names of the different types of teeth.

Suggested learning outcomes;

• Fang fairy foods: Raising awareness of the foods that are good to eat to maintain healthy teeth and the consequences of eating sugary foods.
• Keith the teeth: Understanding the importance of brushing and cleaning teeth.
• Zap the Plaque: Understanding the structure of the tooth, how plaque is formed and what it does to teeth.
• Gobble gobble Learn about the different types of teeth. Which food is good for teeth, eating which food is bad for teeth and that plaque destroys teeth.

Printable activities;

• Investigations: Practical investigations to see how fizzy drinks can damage teeth.
• Keith the teeth lyrics: lyrics to sing along to the song. Encourage children to play the recorder and make their own music
• Effects of World War II rations on children’s teeth: Explore and find out the reasons why children who lived during World War II have healthy teeth?
• Fang fairy paper game: foldable paper game with questions about teeth and healthy food choices.

These activities aim to fulfil the following suggested learning outcomes:

Children will be able to:

Knowledge

• identify different teeth
• name the structure of the tooth

Management skills

• classify foods as healthy or unhealthy for teeth
• make informed choices about the food they eat

Concepts

• understand the importance of cleaning teeth
• see the effect of sugar on teeth which can lead to decay

Links with the Northern Ireland Curriculum

• PDMU: having an understanding of dental hygiene and how our eating habits and cleaning routines have an impact on our teeth
• Thinking skills: the ability to make choices and the consequences of those choices.
• History: World War II