Grade 2 Hygiene And Nutrition Oral Hygiene – Good Oral Habits Notes
Good Oral Habits
Topic: Oral Hygiene • Subject: Hygiene and Nutrition • For children (age 7) — Kenya
Why keep teeth clean?
- Clean teeth help you eat well and smile with confidence 🙂
- Good habits stop tooth pain (toothache) and trips to the kliniki (clinic).
- Strong teeth help you chew foods like ugali, sukuma wiki and fruits.
Daily routine (Rutini ya kila siku)
AM
Brush your teeth after breakfast. (Asubuhi)
PM
Brush well before bed. (Kabla ya kulala)
Try to brush twice every day for two minutes each time. Ask a parent to help if needed.
How to brush — easy steps
- Put a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste on your toothbrush. (Use toothpaste with fluoride.)
- Brush the outside, inside and chewing parts of each tooth. Count slowly to 20 on each side.
- Brush the tongue gently to keep breath fresh.
- Spit out the toothpaste — do not swallow.
- Rinse the toothbrush and put it where it can dry (not in a closed cup).
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Tip: Ask your parent to help with the back teeth.
Floss or clean between teeth
Use dental floss or a toothpick carefully to remove bits of food between teeth. Ask a grown-up to help the first few times.
Eating for healthy teeth
- Eat plenty of fruits like mango, banana and oranges — they help your body and teeth.
- Eat vegetables such as sukuma wiki and carrots for strong teeth.
- Choose milk and yogurt for calcium — good for teeth.
- Limit sugary drinks (soda, juices with lots of sugar) and sweet snacks. If you eat sweets, rinse your mouth with water after.
- Snack smart: nuts, fruit or plain porridge instead of lots of biscuits and toffees.
Visit the dentist (Dentist / Kliniki ya meno)
Go to the dentist or school health clinic for a check-up every 6 months, or sooner if you have pain.
If your tooth hurts, tell your parent and visit the clinic right away.
Good rules to remember
- Brush 2 times every day for 2 minutes. ⏱️
- Use fluoride toothpaste. ✔️
- Avoid too much sweets and fizzy drinks. 🚫🥤
- Rinse mouth with clean water after sweet foods. 💧
- Visit the dentist if a tooth is loose or hurts. 🏥
- How many times should you brush each day? (Answer: Twice)
- What is okay to drink for healthy teeth? (Answer: Water or milk)
- Should you swallow toothpaste? (Answer: No — spit it out)
Notes: If you are unsure which toothpaste to buy, ask your parent to look for one with fluoride. For any tooth pain, visit the nearest school nurse or community health clinic.