“Life is short, so smile while you still have teeth.” ~Unknown~
Crawling, saying their first word, getting their 1st tooth—these are a few of your kiddo’s typical milestones. Another milestone that equally tugs at my heart are those toothy and toothless smiles. At the time, kids may not appreciate them, but I think every parent (and grandparent) cherishes those goofy smiles.
The World Always Needs a Smile…
Of course we love those smiles how could we not? I doubt it’s vanity that has kiddos longing for their 2 front teeth, but maybe it’s just they’re experiencing how much harder it is to eat or even talk without a full set. But that’s after teeth start falling out! When that first tooth starts to wiggle most kiddos try everything to speed its exit.
I vividly remember when my first tooth started to feel loose. In (very short) hindsight, I realized I didn’t wait long enough. My Dad used one of his pliers to yang it out (!!!) That was the last time. I waited until my teeth were loose enough that I could just pluck them out without any fuss or drama.
Do you remember when you lost your first tooth? It usually happens around age 6. I had some 4 year old preschoolers come to school with an empty space in their smile. But I know it sometimes takes until they’re 7 before that 1st tooth comes out. Generally, and interestingly, the sooner babies get their teeth the sooner they fall out. Just as there are Ages and Stages of child development there’s an order and progression for tooth loss. In fact, the sequence of tooth loss is actually more important than when it happens.
I recently came across all of the teeth that my kiddos’ put under their pillows for the Tooth Fairy; even the one that didn’t get taken away because my son was exceptionally attached. We wrote a letter to the Tooth Fairy because I knew she was very understanding.
Do you have a lot of teeth you’ve collected over the years? Wondering what to do with them? Well, science of course!
Enrich the PLAY: How Do Soft Drinks Affect Teeth?
Materials Needed:
(3) baby teeth (OR (3) hard boiled eggs)
soft drinks: for example Coke, Sprite, and Fanta or some other carbonated, flavored drink
(3) glass jars with lids
paper plate
Instructions:
● Pour liquids into jars
● Drop one tooth into each jar (OR gently lower an egg)
● Screw on lid
● Set aside, ASK your kiddo what they think will happen to the tooth (or egg)?
● After a week, remove tooth (or egg) and set on paper plate for observation
● Encourage your kiddo to look closely at the teeth/eggs looking for discoloration, signs of decay, change in hardness, etc
Explore the impact on tooth health other beverages may cause by doing the experiment again and choosing some or all of these liquids.
Extend the PLAY What About Other Drinks?
Materials Needed:
(10) baby teeth (OR (10) hard boiled eggs)
milk
–whole milk
–chocolate milk
tea
diet cola
orange juice
apple juice
lemonade
vinegar
water
(10) glass jars with lids
paper plate(s)
Instructions:
● Pour liquids into jars
● Drop one tooth into each jar (OR gently lower an egg)
● Screw on lid
● Set aside, ASK your kiddo what they think will happen to the tooth (or egg)?
● After a week, remove tooth (or egg) and set on paper plate for observation
● Encourage your kiddo to look closely at the teeth/eggs looking for discoloration, signs of decay, change in hardness, etc
● Compare results with teeth/eggs soaked in cola, etc
The WHY…
Every mouth has bacteria in it. Bacteria love to eat sugar. The byproduct of giving bacteria all that sugar is acid. Acid damages teeth; leaving teeth open to cavities erosion.
Compare & Contrast…
● Was your kiddo surprised to see damage from juices? Yes, even healthy, all natural drinks can cause tooth decay! Bacteria doesn’t care where the sugar comes from—a natural source, ie fruit juices or artificially added, as in soft drinks—and acid is produced just the same. In terms of tooth health, fruit juices and soft drinks are pretty much indistinguishable.
● Were the results from diet cola and cola the same or different? Your kiddo might have thought since there’s no sugar added to diet colas there’d be no food for bacteria—and in that (s)he is right. Unfortunately, diet cola has a lot of acids added. Specifically phosphoric acid, citric acid, and/or tartaric acid which weakens/erodes your tooth’s enamel leaving it susceptible to cavities. Also, remember those fruit juices? Well, orange juice (and lemonade) has citric acid in addition to its natural sugar.
● What liquid(s) proved to offer the best environment for teeth?
These experiments could save you from a lecture on staying away from sweets. After all, the proof is right there in front of their eyes. But, do yourself a favor! Be sure to get one of those big toothy smiles!!
Yours in PLAY!
Teacher Karen
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