This document provides instructions for making a natural toothpaste from Nime leaves to help with oral hygiene. It tells the story of a girl named Mary who has a toothache and goes to the health clinic with her father. There, the doctor tells Mary that not taking care of her oral health can lead to problems and it is important to brush after every meal. Her father then teaches her how to make a toothpaste from Nime leaves to brush with. He stresses the importance of oral hygiene, but later notices Mary has stopped brushing her teeth.

1. ries
2011; Ouaga 2011-2012
2

2. Recette de Pou
Nime leaves
Salt
Baking soda
Clean and dry the leaves. When the
burn them until all that is left is
spoonful of baking soda and a pinc
toothbrush or a branch and clean yo
Rinse your mouth well with water wh
to swallow the powder.

3. and Expressions
mouth (teeth, tongue, gums)
can happen if you do not brush
fall out when the child gets older
ce them
mouth with your teeth
circle
ressions are in italics in the text.
on Questions
k at the beginning of the story?
of your teeth well? Is good oral
y not?
teeth? And if you don’t have
?
ce? Why did her father take her to
re harmful to your dental health?
Two days later, she is eating gr
She feels a small movement in h
and when she opens it, her tooth
her hand. She cries for her father
“Papa, Papa! I’m sick! I’m losing
Papa! Take me to the health clinic r
Her father quiets her. “Calm down
It’s a normal part of childhood.” M
child has “baby teeth” that fall out w

4. elp a child eat and talk. When that
aby teeth, and teeth that are bigger
r. Since you are no longer a baby,
are appearing. But you must un-
ygiene! Go and collect a lot of Ni-
w to care for your teeth.”
After that day, Mary brushes her
when her friends tease her. Slowl
giene is very important. They beg
and brush their teeth several times

5. you don’t take care of your
th, you are going to have
lth problems your whole life. It
necessary to brush your teeth
er every meal and before
ng to bed; and you won’t get
k this way again. “
er told me, but I did not
ow that it is very impor-
my teeth. Thank you, doc-
Mary
obeys
Nime
she h
and p
“My daughter, teeth are a very
important part of the body. There
are many people in our village
who will tell you differently. But
what they say is not true. Oral

6. ry gets up and her father is wai-
places the dry leaves in a metal
fire in the bowl and the leaves
ring for teeth is expensive. Even
or toothpaste, all you need is so-
rn the leaves in a bowl. When all
mix in a spoonful of baking soda
finger or a branch in the mixture
eth well. Then you rinse the pow-
llow the ash.”
They go to the clinic. The
cavity. Since Mary has ig
weeks, the tooth is infect
“Mary, you must take care
very important for your ove

7. et up in the morning and her
in bed. “My daughter, what’s
well. I think I have a fever.”
health clinic right away,” says
In order to brush your teeth, you
from Nime leaves and somethin
branch or your finger). Apply th
brushing utensil. Brush your top
vertical and circular movements.
teeth as well as your gums and to
“When you feel like your teeth ar
you go out and would like to clean
of a Nime tree. Like I said yeste
after every meal and before going
“I understand, Papa,” responds Mar

8. The next day, Mary goes out
with her friends. They eat a
plate of foufou together at
noon. After the meal, Mary
finds a Nime branch and starts
chewing on it to clean her
teeth.
sk
at
It
th
ng
a-
k?
th,
so
ep
Mary thinks about her friends’ w
She decides to ignore her fathe
teeth anymore.
In the next few months,
Mary’s father notices
that his daughter is not
following his advice. He
asks her if she conti-
nues to brush her teeth.
“Yes, Papa, every day like
you told me to.” Her fa-
ther knows she is lying,
but says nothing.