What Makes Cavities Puzzle
Printable Worksheet
Print and cut out the pieces to make a puzzle. We recommend printing on cardstock paper if available. This puzzle is appropriate for ages 3+ without cutting and 5+ with cutting. Allow 5 minutes if the puzzles are precut and 10 minutes is the students will cut the pieces as part of your exercise.
This puzzle demonstrates what can perhaps be a more complex process of how cavities develop. Every mouth has bacteria in it, and sugar feeds the bacteria. That is why keeping sugar off of the teeth reduces cavities.
Learning Objectives
1. How cavities (dental caries) occurs. It isn't just bacteria or just sugar. It the bacteria feeding on the sugar.
Suggested Age Range: Ages 3+ without cutting; Ages 5+ with cutting; the concept of sugar combined with bacteria is what causes cavities targets older children and adults.
This puzzle can also be printed on poster paper and used as a floor exercise. Let us know if you need information on how to print it like this. The photo below is from an initiative with Walnut Grove Schools.
We have this document available for printing without a border and at larger sizes.
