Tooth Fairy Training: How a Family Dentist Can Prepare Parents For Permanent Teeth

Tooth Fairy Training: How a Family Dentist Can Prepare Parents For Permanent Teeth

The eruption of your child’s first teeth probably represented a cause for celebration. But it won’t be long before their baby teeth give way to their adult replacements. And while acting as the Tooth Fairy can be a fun and fanciful endeavor, it’s also important to get some basic information from your family dentist to ensure both parents and kids are prepared for this toothy transition.

Whether you’re looking ahead to the years to come or your child is on the verge of losing their first primary tooth, our family practice is answering some common questions relating to this process in order for you to feel confident about your child’s dental care. With this information in mind, you can feel confident transforming into the Tooth Fairy while protecting your child’s health and well-being.

When Do Children Start to Lose Their Baby Teeth?

There’s no exact age when children start to lose their primary (also known as “baby”) teeth. By the time your child is around three years old, they’ll have all of their primary teeth. Generally speaking, children will start to lose these baby teeth when they’re between the ages of five and seven — but it’s possible your child could lose these teeth earlier or later. Some children continue to lose their baby teeth until they’re 12 or 13. It really depends on your child’s development.

What Happens When a Tooth Becomes Loose?

As family dentists will tell you, the loss of baby teeth is caused by the emergence of permanent teeth underneath. These permanent teeth push up against the primary teeth, with the roots of these adult teeth being absorbed into the gums. This leaves the baby teeth relatively untethered and ready to fall out. Children will typically lose their baby teeth in the order they came in — meaning that the front teeth are often among the first to fall out. The teeth towards the back of the mouth are usually among the last to fall out.

When a tooth becomes loose, it’s typically best to allow the tooth to fall out on its own. Children will often wiggle a loose tooth with their tongues or fingers (so remind them to wash their hands frequently!). This can help the process along. However, parents are usually discouraged by family dentists from forcibly pulling a loose tooth. Unless there’s an issue determined by your family dentist office that requires extraction, you should let the process happen naturally. Otherwise, this may cause your child more pain than necessary. In some cases, family practices have found evidence of trauma from pulled teeth.

How Should You Prepare Your Child and Help Them Care For Their Smile?

It’s a good idea to prepare your child ahead of time for this occasion, as it might be easy for them to panic if they aren’t well-informed. The dentist at your family practice will agree that loose teeth are a perfectly natural part of development. Make sure your child knows this is normal and nothing to be afraid of. Family dentists can also provide some advice on how to remove a loose tooth that’s ready to come out and help your child prepare for this event if they aren’t at home when this occurs.

Preparing for the arrival of the Tooth Fairy can make this transitional period more exciting. It can alleviate your child’s fears about losing a tooth and give them something to look forward to. This can also provide an excellent opportunity to drive home the importance of oral care. Astoundingly, 42% of kids between the ages of two and 11 have cavities in their baby teeth. By encouraging proper oral care habits and mentioning that the Tooth Fairy tends to leave better rewards for healthy baby teeth, you can ensure everyone at your family practice lets out a cheer at your child’s next appointment.

With this knowledge at your fingertips, you’ll be ready to take on the responsibility of becoming the next Tooth Fairy. And more importantly, your child will have a healthy foundation for their smile.