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Year 7

Dental hygiene

I can explain how cleaning teeth, diet and dental check-ups support my dental health.

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New
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Year 7

Dental hygiene

I can explain how cleaning teeth, diet and dental check-ups support my dental health.

Download all resources
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Share activities with pupils
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These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Brushing and flossing remove plaque and prevent tooth decay.
  2. A diet low in sugar and high in calcium supports dental health.
  3. Regular dental check-ups help to identify and prevent dental issues.

Keywords

  • Check-up - in this context, a routine examination by a dentist to check for dental health issues

  • Plaque - a sticky film of bacteria that forms on teeth and can cause cavities

  • Decay - in this context, damage to the surface of a tooth caused by acids

  • Flossing - a method of cleaning between the teeth using a thin, flexible thread

  • Calcium - a mineral that helps to build strong bones and teeth

Common misconception

Brushing once a day is enough to keep teeth healthy.

Brushing twice a day is recommended to effectively remove plaque and prevent tooth decay.


To help you plan your year 7 rshe (pshe) lesson on: Dental hygiene, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Referring to the dentist visits that pupils had in primary school would be useful for context and reassurance here.
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Content guidance

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Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

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Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the words to their correct definitions.
Correct Answer:symptom,a physical or mental feature that indicates a condition or disease
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a physical or mental feature that indicates a condition or disease

Correct Answer:hydration,maintaining an adequate amount of water in the body to support it
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maintaining an adequate amount of water in the body to support it

Correct Answer:persistent,continuing to exist or endure over a prolonged period
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continuing to exist or endure over a prolonged period

Correct Answer:hygiene,practices that help maintain health and prevent the spread of diseases
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practices that help maintain health and prevent the spread of diseases

Q2.
We can use techniques to treat minor illnesses.
Correct Answer: self-care
Q3.
Most minor illnesses are linked to which areas?
Correct answer: colds and respiratory illnesses
persistent and worsening symptoms
Correct answer: digestive issues
Correct answer: skin problems and mild allergic reactions
Q4.
When should someone seek medical support?
Correct answer: if there is a serious or emergency situation
if they have a mild cough for three days
Correct answer: if they have a high fever (over 38 degrees celsius)
Correct answer: if they have red spots/dots that don’t fade when you press them with a glass
if they have nausea for a few hours after travelling
Q5.
How can mild digestive issues be treated at home?
Correct answer: by avoiding foods with too much sugar or artificial sweetener
Correct answer: by getting lots of rest
Correct answer: by drinking plenty of water to maintain hydration
by drinking lots of fizzy drinks and juice
by using a nasal spray with adult supervision
Q6.
Where should you turn to for reliable medical advice?
Correct answer: call 111
Correct answer: a doctor
Correct answer: a pharmacist
Correct answer: the NHS website
any website with the word 'health' in the title

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the words to their correct definitions.
Correct Answer:check-up,a routine examination by a dentist to check for dental health issues
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a routine examination by a dentist to check for dental health issues

Correct Answer:calcium,a mineral that helps to build strong bones and teeth
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a mineral that helps to build strong bones and teeth

Correct Answer:decay,in this context, damage to the surface of a tooth caused by acids
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in this context, damage to the surface of a tooth caused by acids

Correct Answer:flossing,a method of cleaning between the teeth using a thin, flexible thread
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a method of cleaning between the teeth using a thin, flexible thread

Q2.
Complete the sentence with the missing word: Brushing and flossing remove and prevent tooth decay.
Correct Answer: plaque
Q3.
What should we avoid doing regularly to maintain healthy teeth?
Correct answer: drinking fizzy drinks
flossing
brushing our teeth
using mouthwash
Correct answer: using a lot of toothpaste
Q4.
What can help to identify and prevent dental issues?
regular check-ups with a doctor
regular check-ups with a pharmacist
Correct answer: regular check-ups with a dentist
only going to the dentist when we have an issue
Q5.
How often should we brush our teeth to maintain good oral hygiene?
once a month
Correct answer: twice a day
three times a year
four times a day
Q6.
What type of diet supports dental health?
Correct answer: a diet low in sugar and high in calcium
a diet low in calcium and high in sugar
a diet low in protein and high in starchy foods
a diet low in dairy and high in calcium