National Toothache Day | EYFS & KS1 Activity Ideas

**Note: This page is for educational inspiration and is not officially affiliated with National Toothache Day. For general information on oral health, you can consult professional dental associations or public health resources.

Tuesday 9th February 2027

Understanding National Toothache Day in EYFS & KS1

Let's learn how to keep our teeth healthy and happy! 🦷😁 National Toothache Day is an informal observance, typically celebrated annually on February 9th. While its precise origins aren't widely known, it serves as a lighthearted yet important reminder of the discomfort that a toothache can bring. More importantly, it's a prompt for us all to think about the significance of good oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups as the best ways to prevent toothaches and maintain healthy teeth for life.

For early years settings, nurseries, preschools, childminders, and Year 1 and Year 2 classrooms, this day provides a practical and relatable theme for exploring personal health and hygiene, understanding the world (health), science (body parts/teeth), and healthy eating. It's about teaching children simple, lifelong habits that promote dental health, reducing anxiety about visiting the dentist, and making healthy choices fun. This day offers fantastic planning ideas and inspiration for engaging activities that truly resonate with young minds, making learning about oral care both essential and empowering.

Why Is Teaching About Oral Health Important for Young Children?

Integrating lessons about oral health and hygiene into your practice with young children (aged 0-7) is incredibly important for establishing lifelong healthy habits, preventing dental issues, and promoting overall well-being.

• Preventative Health: Teaches children how to prevent common dental problems like cavities and gum disease from an early age.

• Good Habits: Instills routines for brushing and flossing, making them a natural part of daily life.

• Understanding the Body: Helps children learn about their teeth, their purpose, and why they need care.

• Healthy Choices: Connects oral health to diet, encouraging children to make healthy eating choices.

• Reduces Anxiety: Familiarises children with dental care routines and the role of a dentist, potentially reducing fear of dental visits.

• Fine Motor Skills: Brushing and related activities can help develop fine motor coordination.

Engaging Oral Health Activities for National Toothache Day (0-7 Year Olds)

Make National Toothache Day a truly insightful and practical experience with these planning ideas and activities perfect for EYFS and KS1 children. The focus is on learning about healthy teeth, proper brushing, and good food choices! Please note: All of our 'Teeth and Oral Health' resources are currently free!

Here's some inspiration for making oral hygiene fun in your setting: (Please use your own discretion and knowledge of your children to ensure appropriateness of each activity and safety concerning any materials given and activity undertaken.)

• Dentist Role-Play: Set up a 'Dentist Surgery' role-play area to familiarise children with dental visits in a fun, non-threatening way. Use our 'Dentist Dramatic Role-Play Pack', 'Dentist Word Cards', and 'Dentist Word Mat' to support the play.

• Brushing Practice: Demonstrate and practice proper tooth brushing techniques. Use our 'Brush Your Teeth Morning And Night Poster', 'Brush Your Teeth Morning And Night - Colouring', 'Brush Your Teeth Posters', and 'Brush Your Teeth Posters - Colouring' for visual guides.

• Understanding Teeth: Discuss different types of teeth and their functions. Use 'Dentist Teeth Posters' to illustrate this.

• Fine Motor & Pencil Control: Enhance fine motor skills through dental-themed activities. Use 'Clean Your Teeth Pencil Control Sheets' and 'Clean Your Teeth Pencil Control Mats' for tracing and drawing.

• Counting Teeth: Combine numeracy with dental care using 'Cut And Stick Teeth Number Activity' and 'Make Some Teeth Playdough Mats'.

• Colour Matching: Engage children with colour recognition related to dental items using 'Colour Match Toothpaste 2-Piece Puzzles' and 'Colour Match Toothbrush And Toothpaste Game'.

• Healthy Food Choices: Discuss foods that are good and bad for teeth.

  • Use 'Colour The Foods That Are Better For Your Teeth' and 'Cut And Stick Good Vs Bad For Teeth'.

  • Expand on healthy eating with our dedicated resources: 'Healthy Eating - Display Banner', 'Draw A Healthy Meal', 'Healthy Plate - Balanced Diet Posters', 'My Healthy Eating Diary Booklet', '5 A Day - Poster/Chart', 'Healthy & Unhealthy Snack Sorting Activity'.

  • Emphasise limiting sugar with 'Don't Eat Too Much Sugar!' Poster' and 'Don't Eat Too Much Sugar!' Colouring'.

• Tooth-Themed Art: Provide 'Teeth Colouring Sheets' for a creative activity.

• Explore More: Please visit our 'Teeth and Oral Health' page to browse our entire collection of educational materials on this theme. Remember, all resources on this page are currently free!

These activities offer great inspiration for making National Toothache Day a memorable and impactful experience in your early years and Key Stage One setting, fostering good oral hygiene habits, healthy eating choices, and a positive attitude towards dental care.

To explore ideas surrounding additional early years events, please visit our 'Special Dates Calendar' page.

Free Printable resources to support teaching & learning surrounding: ‘National Toothache Day’

Please note: All of our ‘Teeth and Oral Health’ resources are currently free!

Additional Pages you may like to explore which cover relevant &/or Connected themes

More Early Years Event Pages for February

Explore special dates (including awareness dates, festivals, celebrations & events) relevant to your EYFS & KS1 children

Browse our ‘Special Dates Calendar’ page using the link below. You’ll find calendars for every month of the year to aid your planning!

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Disclaimer:
This page is for educational purposes only and is intended to support early years and primary practitioners with ideas and resources related to 'National Toothache Day'. We are not officially affiliated with or endorsed by any specific organisation that may officially promote this informal observance. We do not claim any rights to specific trademarks or official materials associated with this event. For general information on oral health and dental care, you can consult reputable professional dental associations or public health resources.