Healthy Drinks and Tasty Toothpaste

Age range

7-9 years

Science topic

Animals (including humans)

Type of enquiry

Comparative/fair tests, Observing changes over time, Problem solving

These activiities provide an opportunity for lower Key Stage 2 children to understand how to keep teeth and gums healthy, and the dangers of tooth decay.The activities use the real life context of a toothpaste manufacturer who wants to develop, in consultation with a drinks' manufacturer, a toothpaste that will provide maximumprotection against sugar in drinks. The children take on the role of toothpaste researchers to investigate the ingredients and properties of toothpaste in order to suggest a toothpaste that will provide maximum protection against sugar in drinks.

Healthy Drinks and Tasty Toothpaste Vocabulary (downloadable)

A list of the main vocabulary used in this resource which can be used to pre teach key words, support children to talk about their science, and for assessment.

Download the full resource:

Healthy Drinks and Tasty Toothpaste Full (PDF , 2,246kb)

Sugary drinks

Science topic: Animals (including humans)
Type of enquiry: Comparative/fair tests
Keywords: teeth, tooth decay, plaque, sugary drinks, cavity, hygiene, bacteria, gum disease, tartar, reversible change, liquid, investigate, observe

Children take on the role of a toothpaste manufacturer liasing with a drinks manufacturer to produce a juice drink that does not increase the risk of tooth decay. The children test the effect of plaque acid on teeth, using egg shells in different concentrations of vinegar left over night.

Tantalizing toothpaste

Science topic: Animals (including humans)
Type of enquiry: Observing changes over time
Keywords: teeth, tooth, decay, toothpaste, plaque, brushing teeth, mouth hygiene, properties

Children test a range of toothpaste types for abrasion, taste, colour, consistency and smell. They establish what is necessary in toothpaste and which ingredients help to achieve this.

teeth, toothpaste, recipe, ingredients, properties, mixture

Science topic: Animals (including humans)
Type of enquiry: Comparative/fair tests
Keywords: teeth, toothpaste, recipe, ingredients

Children make their own types of toothpaste following a range of recipes. They choose the flavours and colours. They then test their toothpaste and come up with an ultimate toothpaste recipe.

Report back to the company

Science topic: Animals (including humans)
Type of enquiry: Problem solving
Keywords: teeth, toothpaste, recipe, ingredients conclusions, presenting findings, properties, communication, report

Children report back to the company via e-mail. They then design a poster to advertise their toothpaste, showing the active ingredients and their function in the toothpaste. This provides an ideal assessment opportunity.

Partners

Supported by the Gatsby Charitable Foundation.‎‎‎‎