Coast to Country

February is Children’s Dental Health Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to hit the road on a journey to a healthy smile! Just like taking care of a car for a long road trip, keeping our teeth strong and clean requires regular maintenance. So, buckle up and join us on this Smile Road Trip, where each stop along the way teaches kids how to care for their teeth in a fun, engaging way.

🚗 Starting the Engine – Pre-Trip Preparation

Every road trip starts with a little planning! In this case, teeth care is the fuel that keeps our smiles bright and strong. The first step on our journey is learning about brushing and flossing, the two most important tools we need to keep our teeth in top shape.

🛠 Prep for the trip:

• Brush twice a day for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste.

• Floss daily to remove plaque and food between teeth.

• Drink plenty of water to help wash away food particles.

🛑 Brushing Boulevard

We’ve hit our first stop! Brushing correctly is like driving safely—it keeps everything running smoothly.

🦷 Brushing Tips for a Smooth Ride:

✅ Use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.

✅ Brush in small circles for two minutes.

✅ Don’t forget the back teeth and gum line!

✅ Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months or when the bristles look worn.

⏳ Fun Tip: Play a two-minute song while brushing to make sure kids brush long enough!

🛣 Flossing Freeway

Now we’re picking up speed! Flossing is like checking all the corners of the road—you have to clean those hard-to-reach spots to keep everything in top shape.

🚗 Why Flossing Matters:

• It removes plaque and food from places your toothbrush can’t reach.

• It helps prevent cavities and gum disease.

• It keeps your breath fresh and clean!

👧 Make it fun: Use flavored floss or flossers shaped like animals to encourage kids to floss daily!

🍏 Snack Stop

Every road trip needs a snack break—but not all snacks are good for your smile!

✅ Best snacks for strong teeth:

• Apples (nature’s toothbrush!)

• Cheese and yogurt (rich in calcium)

• Carrots and celery (great for cleaning teeth)

🚫 Avoid:

• Sticky candies and gummies

• Sugary sodas and juices

• Starchy snacks like chips (they turn into sugar in your mouth!)

🍏 Fun Snack Idea: Create a “Tooth-Friendly Snack Tray” with kids by arranging cheese cubes, apple slices, and crunchy veggies into a smiley face!

🏁 Dentist Pit Stop

Just like checking a car before a long trip, visiting the dentist helps catch small problems before they become big ones.

🦷 Why Regular Checkups Matter:

• Dentists check for cavities, gum health, and tooth alignment.

• Cleanings remove plaque and tartar buildup.

• Early visits help kids feel comfortable and confident about dental care.

📅 Plan Your Pit Stop: Kids should visit the dentist twice a year for checkups and cleanings!

🎉 Destination Smiles

We’ve made it to the final stop! A healthy smile is something to celebrate. By brushing, flossing, eating tooth-friendly snacks, and visiting the dentist, kids can enjoy strong, happy teeth for years to come.

🛣 Final Checklist:

✅ Brush twice a day

✅ Floss daily

✅ Eat tooth-friendly foods

✅ Visit the dentist regularly

📜 Download our Smile Math & Tooth Tour Unit!

From counting teeth with Smile Math to exploring the layers of a tooth in the Tooth Tour, these engaging worksheets make dental health an adventure. Perfect for Children’s Dental Health Month!

🧮 Smile Math: How Many Teeth Do We Have?

Teeth come in different shapes and sizes, and just like counting stops on a road trip, we can count our teeth, too!

🚸 Kids (Primary Teeth): 20 teeth – 10 on top, 10 on bottom.

😃 Adults (Permanent Teeth): 32 teeth – 16 on top, 16 on bottom.

🦷 Tooth Counting Fun:

• Ask kids to count how many teeth they have in the mirror.

• Compare baby teeth vs. adult teeth.

• Subtract: If kids start with 20 teeth and grow into 32, how many new teeth do they get? (Answer: 12 more!)

🔍 Tooth Tour: Exploring Your Smile

Every tooth is like a tiny, powerful machine with different layers working together. Let’s take a closer look!

🦷 Parts of a Tooth:

• Enamel – The strong outer layer, like a car’s tough exterior.

• Dentin – The middle layer, supporting the enamel like a car frame.

• Pulp – The soft inside with nerves and blood vessels, like a car’s engine!

• Root – The part below the gum that keeps the tooth in place, like tires gripping the road.

Print our Tooth Cross-Section Diagram and have kids label the parts. Use playdough or clay to build a 3D tooth model!

🖍️ Tooth Moods: How do your teeth feel?

Just like us, our teeth can have different “feelings” based on how we take care of them! Are they happy and clean after brushing, or sad and achy from too much sugar? This hands-on craft helps kids connect emotions to dental health in a fun and creative way!

Download the Free Printable here!

🎨 Supplies:

• Free Printable Tooth Moods Worksheet with cut and paste faces.

• Markers, stickers, and googly eyes

• Glue and scissors

✂️ Instructions:

1. Cut out the adorable faces at bottom of worksheet.

2. Paste them on or draw your own!

3. Extras! Add stickers for “foods that make teeth happy” (apples, cheese, carrots).

4. Glue on googly eyes for even more 3D fun.

5. Hang it in the bathroom as a fun reminder to brush daily!

🚗 Enjoy the Journey!

A healthy smile is a road trip worth taking. With good habits and regular care, kids can keep their teeth strong and bright for life.

What’s your family’s favorite way to make teeth brushing fun? Share in the comments below!