For most kids, losing their first baby tooth is an exciting experience because it means they’re growing up and can expect to find some money underneath their pillow. However, for others, this experience can be frightening and cause anxiety. Each child may handle this milestone in their own way. Continue reading to learn a few tips from your pediatric dentist about making losing baby teeth in McKinney a less traumatic and more positive experience.
Stay Upbeat
Your child may begin losing their baby teeth anywhere from age 4-7. Once they hear of other kids losing their teeth, they may ask you questions about it. Just be sure to be positive when discussing the subject. You want to avoid inadvertently causing your child to experience fear over the idea of losing baby teeth.
Explain Thoroughly
Your child may hear negative things from their classmates or friends about losing their teeth. For instance, they may be told they will accidentally swallow it, that losing a tooth will be painful, or even that their teeth will never grow back. It is important to be thorough when explaining what happens.
Let them know that losing their baby teeth is completely normal and their adult teeth will come in shortly. Remind them that you lost your teeth when you were a kid too, and it’s all a natural part of growing up.
Celebrate Lost Teeth
If you get excited about your child losing their teeth, they are likely to follow suit. Try treating it as a milestone and even come up with a fun way to celebrate. Maybe they can get a treat at the grocery store or you can play their favorite game together. Make this an occasion they’ll look forward to!
Include the Tooth Fairy
The legend of the tooth fairy dates back to the Middle Ages and can make losing teeth exciting by adding a magical touch. If your child is afraid of losing their teeth, find a picture book at the library or watch a movie that includes the tooth fairy. Finding a dollar bill under their pillow may just be enough to make it an experience they’ll remember fondly.
This milestone in your child’s life can potentially be frightening, but by implementing the steps above from your pediatric dentist, you may be able to help them understand that losing baby teeth in McKinney is nothing to be afraid of and an important part of growing up.
About the Author
Dr. Sage Yoo earned his dental doctorate from Tufts University in Boston on his journey to become a pediatric dentist in McKinney. He is a member of the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Dr. Yoo has been working hard for little smiles in the Dallas area since he moved here from Boston in 2015. Be sure to ask if he – or fellow dentist Dr. Justin Chan – has some other tips to make losing baby teeth less scary during your child’s dental checkup and cleaning which you can schedule on their website or by calling (469) 813-7127.