Is your child nervous about losing a baby tooth? Do they grab their mouth in fear when you ask to look at their wiggly tooth? You’re not alone. Many children remain unsure about the idea of losing teeth; however, it doesn’t have to be a scary experience. Instead, you can try one of the following tips to make this next phase an exciting, educational, and enjoyable experience!
Make the Tooth Fairy Come to Life
While it’s not necessary to purchase a fairy costume, you can read books, watch movies, and talk about the Tooth Fairy with your child. By reminding them of her purpose – to give money for each tooth that is lost – you can help them get excited about saving up for a favorite toy or game they might want.
Many children enjoy magical characters and ideas, so make the Tooth Fairy come to life by adding a little note, thanking them for their tooth and reminding them of how brave they are.
Turn It Into a Celebration
Kids love celebrations (for the most part), so turn this event into a milestone, one that’s worthy of a celebration! Tell your child that once they lose a tooth, they’ll be treated to their favorite ice cream shop or movie. There are endless options to choose from when determining how to reward your little one, so pick one you know they’ll enjoy.
Doing so will help them focus more on what will happen after the tooth has fallen out.
Offer Complete Explanations
If you have a child who wants to know the details about everything, you may find it helpful to fully explain what will happen when a tooth falls out. Children are often known for embellishing, so the stories they might be hearing from others of agonizing pain and bleeding are unlikely to be true. Instead, share with them what happens and why it’s necessary for this phase to occur – to allow permanent teeth to move into place.
Children who prefer this approach may become more comfortable and at ease about the idea as opposed to feeling like they are in the dark about what to expect.
Losing a baby tooth doesn’t have to be scary, especially if you consider your child’s needs and find a solution that will help them refocus on something they enjoy. If you need further assistance, never be afraid to contact your child’s pediatric dentist.
About the Author
Dr. Tamara Robison is a pediatric dentist with more than 30 years of experience. With a passion and appreciation for children and helping them get excited about dental care, she and the team at Beachside Smiles Pediatric Dentistry are here to make every visit fun and exciting. When it’s time for baby teeth to start falling out, Dr. Robison can ease the fears of little ones by discussing the benefits that await with permanent teeth as well as offer tips to parents to help with at-home preparations. If your child is uncertain about losing one or more of their teeth, visit our website or call (321) 773-8578.