Although every child is unique, they tend to hit certain milestones in their dental development at predictable stages. For example, most grow their first tooth around 1 year old and have all 20 by the time they turn 3.
Then, kids typically lose their first primary tooth around 6 years old to make room for their adult teeth to arrive. If your little one feels nervous about a loose tooth and isn’t sure what to expect, continue reading to learn 3 fun ways to welcome the tooth fairy and ease their nerves!
Method #1: Design A Dish
Did your parents leave a quarter under the pillow in exchange for a tooth when you were growing up? This is a fun way to help your child let go of their baby teeth as their permanent ones grow in. However, you might wake them up, spoiling the game and leaving them drowsy the next day.
Instead, why not create a special disk to exchange their tooth overnight? You might find something suitable at the local thrift or craft store, then encourage your child to customize it with paints or other supplies to be more pleasing to the tooth fairy. For instance, they might decorate it to look like a big, beautiful smile. Then, put the dish somewhere more easily accessible where the sprite will surely find it!
Method #2: Offer a Return Receipt
Some parents hold onto their child’s baby teeth as keepsakes, but if this seems a little macabre, there are other ways to make lasting memories of their early years. For instance, instead of simply exchanging a dime or a dollar under their pillow or in their designated dish, you can also offer a receipt that they can hang onto.
You can purchase receipt pads from office supply stores or online, or download a special “tooth fairy printable receipt” from an online source. Include your kid’s name, the date, a description of the tooth, the ‘reward’ amount, and a personalized note to encourage them to continue caring for their beautiful teeth.
Method #3: Scrapbook “Smilestones”
Scrapbooks are a fun and easy way to record images and dates of important events, like your child’s dental development. You can create one that’s dedicated to tracking the loss of their baby teeth and the growth of their permanent ones, so your family can easily look back over the cherished memories later on.
You can include their tooth receipts, if you’ve issued them, pictures of their gapped grin afterward, and images once their adult teeth arrive. Fill it with as many joyful colors, stickers, and other decorations. Whether you create it yourself or together, you and your child will enjoy browsing through it later.
Feel free to think outside the box for additional ideas to help bring the tooth fairy’s magic to life for your child.
About the Practice
At Sprout Dentistry for Kids, your child benefits from two experts eager to help them build and maintain a happy, healthy smile. Dr. Justin and Dr. Sage are board-certified pediatric dentists who collaborate to provide a comprehensive menu of services for patients aged 0 to 18. They strive to make each appointment enjoyable and educational so your kid learns the value of proper preventive care. Then, they combine a friendly approach with state-of-the-art equipment to improve patient comfort while delivering accurate treatment results. You can request an appointment on the website or by calling (469) 301-3212.