How Do Teeth Decay?
Get curious
Watch a film and discuss how a dentist fills cavities in teeth.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sMR2GX1yRM
For example, you can ask: What is tooth decay? How can you recognise it? How do you know that you have a cavity in your tooth? What actions/steps must a dentist take – in turn – to treat a tooth? What tools does a dentist use?
Get going
Students learn about the structure of a tooth by observing objects resembling various layers of the tooth.
Give out to each group: a white ceramic or porcelain cup (or a white ceramic tile), a yellow sponge and jelly beans (for example, teddy bear-shaped – or any shape with protrusions). Then read out loud descriptions of particular tooth layers. The students’ task is to match tooth layers to objects resembling them.
View a diagram showing the structure of a tooth.
Perform an experiment that illustrates how acids produced by bacteria act on teeth and how you can protect teeth from their negative effects.
For the experiment you need a few eggs, prepared 2-3 days earlier as described in instructions.
Students check whether they know how to brush their teeth properly and learn the correct brushing technique.
Ask students to show how they brush their teeth, using their toothbrushes. Next, show the instructional video presenting Fones’ method, which is intended for children. Student repeat the movements shown in the film.
Watch an amazing film titled “How To Brush Your Teeth in Space.
Answer the following question: does the astronaut in the film brush his teeth correctly?
