Allowing students to interact with models of teeth and gums gives them a better idea of how teeth work and engages their sense of touch and sight. Teachers can show students how the mouth moves to grind food and how food can get caught within the teeth and between them. Students may use dry toothbrushes to practice good brushing techniques on the models. They may do the same with floss.
Creating visual representations of different types of teeth can help students understand dental health. Students can draw pictures of different types of teeth such as sharp incisors for biting meat and blunt molars for mashing and grinding grains and vegetation. They may also draw white teeth in good condition and color teeth brown to show what will happen if teeth are neglected and begin to decay.
Certain foods and drinks help people maintain healthy teeth. Cheese, milk, nuts and meat are healthy for teeth because of the calcium and phosphorus they contain. Likewise, crunchy fruits and vegetables like apples, pears and celery help teeth by stimulating saliva and providing water. Drinking water is always an excellent way to cleanse teeth. Preschoolers may have a special lunch which consists of dental-friendly food. They may describe these foods by their taste and smell.
Another way to engage preschoolers' minds is by sharing engaging stories and songs. Teachers may read picture books about dental hygiene and stop to have the children discuss the pictures they see. Teachers and students may make up rhyming songs about the proper way to brush teeth and perform these in class.