Losing a first tooth and preparing for a visit from the tooth fairy

Losing a tooth is one of the first major milestones in a child’s life. Not only does it mean they are preparing for their adult teeth to emerge, but it also means they get to enjoy their first visit from the tooth fairy.
Most children start to lose their milk teeth at the ages of five and six, with many wearing the gaps in their teeth as a sign of pride at being a ‘big’ girl or boy, and as such can’t wait to lose a tooth.
Parents on the other hand can either be delighted, or sobbing internally at the swift passage of time. Losing their milk teeth is a sign that they are growing up and becoming more independent.

Should I be worried when my child loses their first tooth?
No, losing their teeth is a completely normal process. The only time you should be concerned would be if your child lost their tooth after an accident as this could indicate that the tooth fell out too soon or that there might be damage to the adult tooth that has yet to emerge.
If your child lost their tooth following a trip or fall, visit the dentist for a checkup. An X-ray will reveal if there is anything to worry about.
Losing teeth due to extraction is also cause for concern. When children suffer from tooth decay of their milk teeth, an extraction might be recommended to protect their oral health and wider health. This can be very daunting for children and might lead to them developing a fear of the dentist.
Extracting milk teeth due to extensive decay can also cause problems when the adult teeth emerge, and this could lead to gaps or overcrowding. This would be a very different scenario to a child who is losing their milk teeth naturally.

Introducing the tooth fairy
The tooth fairy is a thing of wonder for many young children. She visits at night and exchanges your teeth for money. Children leave their teeth under their pillow, sometimes in a special purse, and then when they wake in the morning, the tooth is gone and they are a little richer.
One of the biggest challenges on the loss of a milk tooth is making an appointment with the tooth fairy. How will she get into the house? What will she leave in return? And what does she do with those teeth she collects? These are all great questions to explore with your child and it can help them to get excited about the prospect of caring for their teeth so that the tooth fairy will reward them.
Parents need to give consideration to these logistical dilemmas to keep the magic alive and ensure any anxiety at losing milk teeth is replaced by the excitement of a visit from the tooth fairy. Most children wake up to find £1 or £2 under their pillow after a visit from the tooth fairy. Some parents are parting with as much as £5 for their first tooth and then £2 for future teeth.

Top tips for dealing with loose teeth
When milk teeth first become loose parents may need to reassure their child and make sure they maintain a good dental hygiene routine.
It is important children continue to brush their teeth properly, even though they may be worried about the wobbly tooth.
If your child is worried about hurting their tooth, encourage them to eat on the opposite side of their mouth, or serve soft food such as soup or mashed potato.
Let the milk tooth work out of its own accord – wiggling by the child is fine but don’t take a piece of string to the tooth!
The mouth may bleed a little on the loss of a milk tooth but it shouldn’t hurt more than a tingle.
There is no danger to health if a milk tooth is swallowed – it will pass through the body. However, the child may be upset that the tooth fairy won’t come. Reassure them that the tooth fairy has magical abilities to be able to deal with these issues.
Adult teeth can grow behind milk teeth – check with your dentist if the adult tooth reaches half the size of the milk tooth.
The tooth fairy can still visit even if a tooth has been lost – just write a little note and pop it under the pillow.
You can help children prepare for losing their first tooth and a visit from the tooth fairy by reading a book such as My Wobbly Tooth Must Not Ever Never Fall Out (Charlie and Lola).
By following these tips, you can let magic replace fear when your child loses their first milk tooth.

When will my child lose their first tooth?
Children usually start to lose their milk teeth around the age of 5 or 6, so it’s typically around when they start big school. For some children it can be much later, around the age of 7 or 8. If your child’s teeth emerged later, you can typically expect them to lose their milk teeth later.
A quick look around the playground will reveal that children lose their teeth at different rates and it isn’t something you need to worry about. It’s not a sign that your child is developing at a slower rate and it won’t impact their future oral health.
What will have an impact on their future oral health is their commitment to brushing their teeth every day.
Establishing good oral health habits for life
Once they have their adult teeth emerging, it’s important to continue good oral health habits. There is a common misconception that the milk teeth are simply “practice” teeth and they will get another chance to care for their teeth better when they get their adult teeth.
Tooth decay in milk teeth is becoming increasingly common and should be avoided at all costs. Children need to be encouraged to take care of their milk teeth and their adult teeth.
The myth of the tooth fairy can help to reinforce this message. You can remind children that they need to keep their teeth healthy so that the tooth fairy will be happy. This will help to encourage children to have good oral health habits from a young age.

What if my child is afraid of the tooth fairy?
The idea of the tooth fairy can be mystical to some children, but it can also be quite a scary concept to more sensitive children. If your child has a negative reaction to the tooth fairy, you can downplay the importance of this stage in their development.
Another great idea would be to create a place in the home that is away from their bed. Some children find the idea of being visited while they are sleeping to be quite scary and will respond better if the “exchange” is completed somewhere else in their home. You could even create a fairy door in your garden and leave the money in a pouch by this door.
How can my dentist help?
Your dentist will be happy to play along with the tooth fairy story. If you have specific details you want the dentist to know about, feel free to let us know in advance. The dentist knowing specific details about their version of the tooth fairy story can help to reinforce the idea and make it even more magical.
The dentist can also “work” alongside the tooth fairy and relay and reinforce messages on their behalf. This can help to inspire children to take good care of their teeth, as they will want to impress this person who knows the tooth fairy.
If you are struggling with any area of oral health care for your children, it’s a great idea to book an appointment for a checkup. Write down any questions you might have and make a note of particular struggles you might be facing. Remember that we’re all on the same team, and your child’s oral health is our top priority.
We know that getting a child to brush their teeth can be a struggle, and it often occurs at the time of the day when parents are either rushed off their feet or exhausted. Together we can find strategies that work well for you and your child to ensure their oral health isn’t impacted.
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