This year National Tooth Fairy Day is August 22. This fun day takes place biannually, on February 28th and August 22. While this doesn’t mean anything special or that the tooth fairy will exactly visit your child, there are fun ways to make the day seem special and educate your children about proper dental hygiene. Here is some more helpful information about baby teeth, dental health, and more.
Dental Health
Having proper dental health is important for children and adults alike. Starting your kids’ dental habits early is important for them to lose their baby teeth at the appropriate time and make sure the adult teeth come in properly.
Proper brushing, the right toothbrush, and knowing how cavities form can help your child know just how important taking care of your teeth is.
More About Losing Baby Teeth
Different types of children react differently to losing their baby teeth. Some children get really excited about losing teeth and putting them under their pillow for the tooth fairy. Others are more worried or fearful about the pain of losing teeth or what they will look like without them. Losing their first tooth is a big milestone for children and parents alike and can come with lots of anticipation.
Baby teeth are important in making room for new adult teeth. Baby teeth often fall out of children’s mouths from around four to seven years old and may come with some bleeding when the tooth first falls out. It is important to keep your child calm and make sure they don’t swallow the free tooth. Even if the permanent tooth is not showing at first, it will start to poke through within the next few weeks.
More About The Tooth Fairy
While the specific origin of the tooth fairy is not totally known, the trading or selling of baby teeth can date back to the 18th century and The Little Mouse story from France. Traditions of shed tooth rituals date back centuries and are cultures around the world. In America, the tooth fairy is not based around a religious origin like the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus and is a combination of many different cultures. The tooth fairy appears in many commercials and movies and even had her own museum in Illinois for a while.
Today, children receive around $3.70 per tooth. This price has risen in recent years and some children will receive more money if they lose a molar or multiple teeth at once.
Ways To Celebrate
Making small moments special for your child can create great memories. There are some small ways you can celebrate National Tooth Fairy Day and show the importance of dental health.
Tooth Fairy Pillow- Small teeth can get lost easily, so creating a Tooth Fairy Pillow can make a special place for the tooth to sit while on the nightstand or hand from a door handle. There are plenty of options and creative ideas to show your child’s personality. A tooth fairy pillow gives your child peace of mind knowing that they will not lose their tooth.
A Toothy Craft- If the child is not into the tooth fairy pillow idea, there are other crafts that can have just as much tooth magic. Print out coloring pages, create a tooth bag, take pictures of smiles or draw some.
Talk About Teeth- You can use this opportunity to talk to your child about the importance of teeth, what we use them for, how they can take care of them, and how our smile affects our self-confidence. There are many children’s books that help to explain the importance of oral health in a simple way. Talking about the dentist and oral health can be educational and fun.
Teeth Healthy Treats- Celebrations usually come with treats or desserts. For National Tooth Fairy Day you can celebrate with veggies or fruits that help to strengthen tooth enamel. While not all sweets are bad and can be eaten in moderation, today would be an appropriate day to eat something more healthy for your teeth.
Teach About Oral Health- Teaching the importance of proper brushing and flossing helps keep kids healthy. This day is a perfect opportunity to talk about more dental practices and how regular dental checkups can prevent cavities.
The Moose Dentist
Choosing a pediatric dentist that you trust is important when it involves your child. Once your child starts to form baby teeth, they should have regular checkups and practice brushing their teeth. Baby teeth should be taken care of and prevented from cavities, even though they eventually fall out. Baby teeth are important to make space in your child’s mouth for adult teeth.
The Moose Dentist wants to make a comfortable environment for your children. Some patients experience dental anxiety and will avoid dental cleanings because of this reason. We want your children to know that the dentist is not something to be feared and we will help them take control of their health. Talking to your children before you come to the dentist can help them feel better prepared.
With offices located in Pleasant View and Farmington, we serve many families and different children with unique needs. Come into one of our offices today and take a tour. You can meet our dentists and get your children familiar with our office. Contact us today and ask any questions you might have.