When it comes to losing baby teeth, some kids might be eager to play with their wiggly tooth but others could find the whole experience quite frightening. Luckily, parents can play an important role during this time. Especially if they work together with the child’s dentist.
Everglades Pediatric Dentistry is Here to Help!
If your child has expressed fear in losing their teeth, start by telling them it’s normal to lose teeth and that everyone goes through it. Our team at Everglades Pediatric Dentistry can also be an ally in explaining tooth loss, especially if you’ve been taking your children regularly for check-ups and have helped build a trusting relationship with us.
Let them know that baby teeth are the first set of teeth they have that usually fall out and get replaced by permanent teeth. This generally happens around six years of age. Explain how the tooth comes loose and eventually falls out, leaving a gap which is then permanently filled by its replacement tooth. To make things a little less scary, parents can also introduce the tooth fairy to their child. The idea of the tooth fairy has been around for ages.
The Tooth Fairy
The legend of the tooth fairy coming to get baby teeth from children in exchange for money is originally from the United States and dates back to the 1900s. Tooth fairies are still popular with parents and children today, and parents look for fun and creative ways to bring the tooth fairy to life with their children.
By the time the children’s full set of 32 adult teeth come in they will have lost 20 baby teeth. When a child loses their first tooth, it’s best to set expectations on how much money the tooth fairy normally leaves. On average, the tooth fairy leaves $1.50-$2.50 per tooth.
Tooth Fairy & Good Dental Habits
Teaching your children the importance of oral health is an important lesson that will benefit them for their entire life. Using rewards from the tooth fairy is a great way to stress the importance of this. The tooth fairy can write your child a note reminding them to brush and floss. You can also add glitter to make fairy dust for the note to seem more authentic and believable for skeptical children.
Losing a tooth is a right of passage for your child, this is one of the first things that welcome them out of their baby phase into their adolescence. This should be a fun experience for both you and your child. You can use this as a reason to talk to your child about keeping their teeth and mouth healthy.
More Resources for Explaining Tooth Loss
There are several books that can help explain tooth loss to children. Some of our favorites include:
- Truman’s Loose Tooth | This book helps kids cope with the emotions that come with change and growing up.
- Gilbert and the Lost Tooth | Gilbert’s tooth falls out at recess. What happens when a classmate gets jealous and comes up with a sneaky plan?
- My Tooth is Loose, Dr. Moose! | Dr. Moose’s “Moose Magic” makes losing teeth more fun!
- My Wobbly Tooth Must Not Ever Fall Out | Lola doesn’t want her tooth to fall out until Charlie tells her about the Tooth Fairy. Once it’s out, though, how will the Tooth Fairy know?
- Here Comes the Tooth Fairy Cat | Cat tries to trick the Tooth Fairy into revealing herself.
- How Many Teeth? | This book teaches kids how many baby teeth they have. Then goes on to discuss how they’ll lose those teeth and new adult teeth will take their place.
You can also find a plethora of picture books on losing teeth here.
Additionally, there are a ton of whimsical kid-friendly products such as tooth fairy certificates (there are several free downloadable versions available online) or specially-made tooth fairy pillows (some can even be monogrammed) — go to www.ultimatetoothfairy.com for lots of great products.
You can also visit Ask The Tooth Fairy to find commonly asked questions pertaining to tooth loss.
Like many childhood fears — such as scary monsters in the closet or worries about being sucked down the drain of the bathtub — this one shall pass, usually once a kid loses that first tooth and gets a visit from the tooth fairy. Know that your child is not alone with her fears, and that other families are eagerly awaiting the day the little pearly white object falls out and the grumbling and crying ebbs away.
For questions regarding tooth loss, give us a call or make an appointment for a dental check up with Everglades Pediatric Dentistry. New patients are always welcome. Call today! (863) 357-7338.
