Personal Hygiene
Take Action Towards a Healthy School
Teacher Resource - Activity One:
Discussion about Hygiene – 10 minutes
Introduction
What are some of the body changes that happen during puberty that would make you want to change
your hygiene practices?
Answers might include: sweat glands and oil glands are more productive
Why is it important to have good hygiene?
By taking care of our bodies through proper hygiene, we are more likely to stay healthy and feel good
about ourselves. Good hygiene can also help us better cope with the changes that occur in puberty.
What are some ways that girls and boys can practice good hygiene?
Oral Hygiene: How can we take care of our teeth and gums?
Brush our teeth at least two times a day.
Floss our teeth once a day – it is best to floss before going to bed.
Hygiene for the Body: What happens to our skin during puberty?
As hormone levels increase, the oil glands (on the face, shoulders, chest and back) become more active.
If the pores are blocked, blackheads may result. When bacteria get into pores, it can cause infections
that produce pimples.
Adapted and reproduced with permission of Public Health, Region of Peel
1 of 2
March 2011
Personal Hygiene
What can you do?
Washing your face with soap and water, with a face cloth a few times a day, can help remove oils from
the skin and keep your pores clean. Once you've reached puberty, it is recommended you bathe/shower
daily as it helps to clear up pimples from your shoulders, chest and back. Sometimes, washing does not
help acne problems. In these cases, you should talk to a parent, teacher, or consult a doctor.
Why does body odour occur during puberty?
At puberty, sweat glands start to produce more secretions. When these secretions are exposed to air
moisture, they produce odours.
What can you do?
Once you've reached puberty, it is recommended you bathe/shower daily with soap and water. Pay
particular attention to underarms and the pubic area to decrease unpleasant odours. Dry your skin well
after you shower or bathe. If you have oily hair, wash it daily. If you have dry, frizzy or coarse hair, wash it
less often. You might also want to talk to your parents about using an antiperspirant or a deodorant.
Finally, be sure to wear clean clothes (including socks and underwear) every day.
Adapted and reproduced with permission of Public Health, Region of Peel
2 of 2
March 2011
Personal Hygiene
Handout
When you take care of your body, through good personal hygiene, you are helping yourself to stay healthy and
to enhance your self-esteem.
What happens to my skin during puberty?
As hormone levels increase, the oil glands (on the face, shoulders, chest and back) become more active.
If the pores are blocked, blackheads may result. When bacteria get into pores, it can cause infections
that produce pimples.
What can you do?
Washing your face with soap and water, with a face cloth a few times a day, can help remove oils from
the skin and keep your pores clean. Once you've reached puberty, it is recommended you bathe/shower
daily as it helps to clear up pimples from your shoulders, chest and back. Sometimes, washing does not
help acne problems. In these cases, you should talk to a parent, teacher, or consult a doctor.
Why does body odour occur during puberty?
At puberty, sweat glands start to produce more secretions. When these secretions are exposed to air
moisture, they produce odours.
What can you do?
Once you've reached puberty, it is recommended you bathe/shower daily with soap and water. Pay
particular attention to underarms and the pubic area to decrease unpleasant odours. Dry your skin well
after you shower or bathe. If you have oily hair, wash it daily. If you have dry, frizzy or coarse hair, wash it
less often. You might also want to talk to your parents about using antiperspirant or deodorant. Finally,
be sure to wear clean clothes (including socks and underwear) every day.
Adapted and reproduced with permission of Public Health, Region of Peel
March 2011
Personal Hygiene
TCDSB Approved
Take Action Towards a Healthy School
Teacher Resource - Activity Two:
Hip to Hygiene Quiz – 10 minutes
If time allows, have the students fill out the Hip to Hygiene Quiz. They could complete the quiz individually or in
groups. Take a few minutes to review the answers and to address any questions your students may have.
Answers to the Hip to Hygiene Quiz:
1. TRUE – to get rid of dirt and oil on the face,
wash your face gently twice a day as it
helps prevent clogged pores that can lead
to acne.
6. FALSE – Food doesn't cause acne – acne is
caused by excess oil on the skin which is
caused by hormones not food.
2. TRUE – Tobacco products will stain your
teeth and can lead to gum disease or
cancer. Pop contains tooth-damaging acids
which can damage your enamel and lead to
more stains.
7. TRUE – Once you've reached puberty, it is
recommended to bathe/shower daily with
soap and water. Pay particular attention to
underarms and the pubic area to decrease
unpleasant odours. Dry your skin well after
you shower or bathe.
3. FALSE – Excess sun exposure can cause
the outer layer of the skin to thicken, which
may result in closed pores creating more
acne.
8. TRUE – Brush teeth and tongue at least
twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride
helps strengthen tooth enamel which keeps
your teeth strong.
4. TRUE – Flossing helps remove food
particles from between your teeth that your
toothbrush can't reach – this helps remove
bacteria that causes bad breath.
9. TRUE – Although women tend to have
more sweat glands than men, men tend
to have more active sweat glands,
therefore they sweat more.
5. FALSE – Deodorants can be used prior to
physical activity to prevent odour.
Antiperspirants can be used prior to
physical activity to prevent sweating.
10. FALSE – Hard scrubbing can make acne
worse. It is recommended to wash face
gently with soap and water.
Adapted and reproduced with permission of Public Health, Region of Peel
March 2011
Personal Hygiene
TCDSB Approved
Handout
TRUE
1.
Washing your face every day can help control pimples.
2.
Tobacco and pop (soft drinks) stain teeth.
3.
Getting a lot of sun is good for acne.
4.
Flossing your teeth every day removes food between teeth that can
cause bad breath.
5.
You should put on deodorant or antiperspirant after the gym.
6.
Eating chocolate and greasy foods will cause pimples.
7.
The best way to stay clean during puberty is to wash your body
regularly.
8.
Using fluoride toothpaste will help fight tooth decay and cavities.
9.
Males tend to sweat more than females.
10.
If you scrub your face very hard, you can eliminate blemishes.
FALSE
Adapted and reproduced with permission of Public Health, Region of Peel
March 2011
Personal Hygiene
TCDSB Approved
Handout
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ACNE
CHANGES
OILY
SHAMPOO
SWEAT
ACTIVE
CLEAN
HEALTHY
ORAL
SHOWER
TEETH
BATHE
CLOTHES
HYGIENE
PERSONAL
SKIN
UNDERARM
BODY
DENTAL
MOUTH
PIMPLE
SMELL
WASH
BRUSH
DEODORANT
GUMS
NAILS
SMILE
WATER
CARE
FACE
HAIR
ODOUR
PUBERTY
SOAP
March 2011
Personal Hygiene
TCDSB Approved
Answer Sheet
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A
B
A
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C
A
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E
B
Y
E
P
E
A
S
E
ACNE
CHANGES
OILY
SHAMPOO
SWEAT
ACTIVE
CLEAN
HEALTHY
ORAL
SHOWER
TEETH
BATHE
CLOTHES
HYGIENE
PERSONAL
SKIN
UNDERARM
BODY
DENTAL
MOUTH
PIMPLE
SMELL
WASH
BRUSH
DEODORANT
GUMS
NAILS
SMILE
WATER
CARE
FACE
HAIR
ODOUR
PUBERTY
SOAP
March 2011
Personal Hygiene
TCDSB Approved
Colouring Sheet
March 2011