When kids start to lose their baby teeth, it can be a confusing time for them. However, a great way to make it a fun and exciting experience is to include the idea of the tooth fairy! Your children will look forward to a visit from the tooth fairy and a little reward under their pillow in exchange for their teeth. Here are some tips for parents on how to handle their child’s tooth fairy experience.
When Will Your Child Lose Their First Tooth?
First things first, let’s talk about baby teeth. Babies will typically begin growing teeth between the ages of six months and 12 months. Most children will have all of their teeth by the age of three. On average, they will start to lose their teeth between the ages of 5 and 7. Baby teeth are essential because they serve as placeholders for permanent teeth. When your child’s mouth and jaw have grown enough to accommodate permanent teeth, the baby teeth will begin to fall out.
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What to Do Before and After Your Child Loses a Tooth
Before your child loses their first tooth, you should talk to them about it. Many kids have a fear of teeth falling out because they don’t fully understand the process yet. Tell them that they lose their baby teeth because bigger, stronger teeth will grow in. You should also let your child know that it is important for them to take care of their permanent teeth.
It is also vital for parents to know what to expect as child’s teeth fall out. It would help if you tried to make the process as painless as possible for your kids. If you’re going to pull the tooth, make sure it’s the right time. The tooth will be extremely loose and almost detached when it is time for it to come out.
There are also a few other things that you need to keep in mind. You don’t want to make the process of losing a negative one for your child. You should avoid showing alarm when your child’s tooth falls out. Instead, express excitement and congratulations because the tooth fairy will be visiting soon!
How to Play Tooth Fairy When Your Child Loses a Tooth
You can make the process of losing teeth more fun by including the tooth fairy. However, if you’re going to play the part of the tooth fairy, there are things you should do to make the process easier for you and memorable for your child.
1. Don’t Spend A Lot of Money
A visit from the tooth fairy should be fun for everyone. However, if you set the bar too high, it can put a strain on your wallet over time. It is important to remember that children lose 20 teeth, so you do not want to promise them a large amount of money. If you have multiple children, then this can be even more expensive! So, what is the going rate for toddler teeth? Simplify things by saying the tooth fairy usually leaves $1 or $2 for each tooth; though research shows $5-10 is what some kids get from the tooth fairy.
2. Leave a Receipt
Losing a tooth should be a memorable event, and a visit from the tooth fairy is not the only thing that can make it a special moment. Get creative and try leaving a receipt with the money. The receipt should have your child’s name, the description of the tooth and the amount of money that was left.
3. Use This as an Opportunity To Promote Good Hygiene
Also, consider leaving a handwritten note that has a positive message that encourages good oral hygiene—it can’t hurt! A good at-home dental hygiene routine is extremely important for kids. That is why you want to use this as an opportunity to educate your child about brushing and flossing. You can also tell your child that the tooth fairy leaves them something extra when they take good care of their teeth.
4. Use a Special Tooth Fairy Receptacle
Most parents leave the money underneath their child’s pillow. However, if you do not want to do that, you can use a tooth fairy dish, bowl, or jar. You can buy plane dishware at almost any home goods store or even the dollar store. You can then have your child decorate the tooth fairy dish to make your child feel more involved in the process.
5. Make a Keepsake Book
Your child may want to keep a record of their tooth fairy visits. If anything, you can use it as a keepsake to record when your children lost their teeth and which ones. Your child can write down the details of the tooth fairy visit, what they got and how they felt. Parents and siblings can also leave sweet notes in the book to add to the memories.
6. Make Sure the Whole Family Is In on the Plan
It’s inevitable that your child will eventually ask you if the tooth fairy is real. You should tell them the truth when they ask this question. However, if they have younger siblings, you should encourage them to keep this a secret until they ask about it. You don’t want them to spoil the fun for their younger siblings or their peers at school!
7. Soak It All In
As parents, it’s important to enjoy this time while it lasts! The tooth fairy experience can be just as enjoyable for you as it is for your child. All too soon, your kids will have all their permanent teeth, and you’ll look back on your tooth fairy memories with fondness. Although life gets busy and you have a long to-do list, take the time to make these moments special for your child and yourself.
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As your child grows, it’s essential to keep up with good oral hygiene and regular dentist visits. This will help your kids avoid common pediatric dental problems and develop good habits early on that will continue into adulthood. To learn about our pediatric dental services and how we can keep your child’s smile healthy and strong, contact our team today! We have several locations throughout Nevada, including Las Vegas, Reno, Sparks, and Carson City.
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