Most children have a full set of baby teeth by the time they’re around 2 years old. These baby teeth begin to loosen and fall out as their permanent adult teeth come in around age 5 or 6. From the moment teeth begin to erupt, it’s important to establish a regular dental hygiene routine. It’s not only important to instruct children, but also to supervise their brushing to ensure they’re doing a thorough job. It’s a great idea to make dental care a family affair as kids learn not only from being told but also from watching. So, show them what to do.

Civilizations around the world have a long history of belief in some sort of Tooth Fairy entity. In some cultures, a small mouse would exchange the children’s baby teeth for coins. The Tooth Fairy has also been depicted as a pixie, a dragon, a bat, or even a bear in children’s literature through the ages. Most often, however, the image of the tooth fairy is of a female fairy with wings and a flowing gown. She quietly sneaks in during the night to exchange a tooth left under the child’s pillow for money or even a small gift.

Parents often use fictitious characters like Santa Clause and the Easter Bunny to encourage their children to behave in a certain way. For example, reminding them that only well-behaved children get the best presents from Santa is a common ploy. Similarly, parents can use the Tooth Fairy to encourage good dental hygiene in order to keep their teeth healthy and clean. Here are some creative ideas that will help you create a Tooth Fairy tradition your children will love:

Kids of all ages are driven by the idea of receiving a reward for meeting the expectations of the adults in their lives. This is the case for their parents, teachers, and any other authority figure. The same holds true for the Tooth Fairy. Most times, the Tooth Fairy leaves anywhere from $1 to $5 for a lost baby tooth, depending on where the child lives, his economic situation, and other factors. An effective way to get kids to take dental care seriously is to increase the reward for teeth that are exceptionally clean and healthy.

A fun way to reinforce the importance of establishing dental care routines is with personalized notes from the Tooth Fairy. A note letting them know how great they’re doing, and reminding them to keep up the good is a great way to encourage them to develop good brushing habits. Get creative and make something by hand using simple construction paper, glue, and markers, or grab a premade card and sign it from the Tooth Fairy. Either way, add some glittery fairy dust to make the experience even more magical for your child.

Children don’t necessarily understand the value of money, but they love little toys, trinkets, and treats. Instead of cash, it might be better to leave a small toy that the child would like in place of the tooth. A new toothbrush with their favorite cartoon character or superhero on it along with some character branded toothpaste is one idea. Not only is it a cool reward, but it’s also a great way to encourage them to continue brushing regularly. The best part? You can find them at a local dollar store for a dollar or so each so it won’t break your budget.

Sometimes a child will lose a baby tooth and they won’t be able to find it. Whether it fell out on the playground or got lost in a pocket, it can be upsetting for a kid to think they’ll miss out on a Tooth Fairy Visit. A simple way to get around this dilemma is to have the child write a note explaining what happened. A reply from the Tooth Fairy letting them know it’s okay, along with a reward, will make everything better.

It’s vital that children are taught the importance of good oral care at home, and encouraged by the Tooth Fairy. It’s also important that they receive regular dental checkups by a pediatric dentist. The earlier a child begins to develop the habit of regular dental cleanings and checkups, the higher the odds are they’ll continue as they get older. Kids that are introduced to the dentist at a young age are less intimidated by the dentist and less likely to have major dental issues down the road as well.

Dental health plays a major role in the overall health of both children and adults. Regular brushing, along with healthy choices such as avoiding sugary snacks and drinks helps maintain oral health. As children begin to lose their baby teeth, the Tooth Fairy also plays an important role in developing healthy dental practices. By creating your own Tooth Fairy tradition, you can help ensure that your child understands and practices good oral hygiene for the rest of their lives.

If you want to learn more about caring for your children’s teeth, or if you have any questions about dental health for children, please contact us at Rosy Dental. We specialize in children’s dental needs and our expert, caring staff will be happy to assist you in any way we can.