Year 4 Science - Which Toothbrush Works Best?

Year 4 have been learning all about teeth and dental care as part of their science topic. To make their learning hands-on and fun, they carried out an experiment to find out which type of toothbrush - soft, medium, or hard bristles, is the most effective.

Instead of brushing real teeth, the children used large tooth diagrams that had been coloured in to represent plaque. Each group then used different toothbrushes to brush away the colour, simulating the cleaning process. This creative approach allowed them to compare how well each brush type removed the “plaque” from the pictures.

After careful brushing and observation, the results were clear: hard-bristled toothbrushes removed the most colour. The class also discussed why harder brushes might not always be the best choice for real teeth, as they can sometimes damage gums if used too harshly. This led to an important discussion about brushing technique and choosing the right toothbrush for healthy teeth.

The activity was a great way to combine science with practical skills. Pupils worked in pairs, made predictions and recorded results.

Well done Year 4!

Year 4 Science - Tooth Brushing