The tooth fairy is a tradition across multiple cultures, providing a fun way to get children excited about their oral development. You can take a few simple steps to make this an engaging experience and take the opportunity to educate your children on oral health and the importance of good habits.

The magic of a healthy smile.

Having a healthy smile is essential for your child’s overall well-being during their development. The loss of the baby teeth and the emergence of adult teeth often symbolize a period of transition where children become more responsible for their own oral hygiene. Visits from the tooth fairy help celebrate that milestone.

Getting your child enthusiastic about their teeth can help them become more involved in oral hygiene habits. As they become more aware of the importance of their teeth and how brushing, flossing, and routine dental visits protect them, they can build a solid foundation for lifelong oral health.

Oral Health Tips for Kids

When the topic of the tooth fairy arises, you can take the opportunity to talk with your child about oral health. Cover these important areas to give your child the knowledge they need to maintain a strong, healthy smile.

Brushing and Flossing Basics

Teaching your child brushing and flossing fundamentals is essential. Make sure to explain the importance of brushing and flossing every day and how a good oral hygiene routine protects their smile.

Let them know that brushing for the right amount of time is key, and that brushing faster or harder will only harm their teeth. Stress the importance of brushing every tooth surface and flossing between every gap.

Healthy Eating Habits

Your child should understand how their diet has just as much an impact on their oral health as their oral hygiene routine. Explain how sugary and sticky snacks provide food for bacteria that cause tooth decay and cavities.

Focus on tooth-friendly snacks and meals for your child. Try to get them started on vegetables and fruits as a go-to snack early on, instead of candy and processed foods.

Regular Dental Checkups

Visiting the dentist can be something that children may be anxious about. However, keeping up with routine dental visits is key to good oral health. Explain to your child that the dentist is there to help them and that there’s nothing to be afraid of.

By checking for signs of any issues, dentists make it possible to use easier children’s dentistry treatments earlier. While teeth cleaning and fluoride treatment may seem intimidating, they provide lasting protection against tooth decay.

Fun preparations for your child’s first tooth fairy visit.

Is your child on the cusp of losing their first baby tooth? You can make the occasion extra special by planning ahead and engaging in some fun activities to prepare for the tooth fairy.

Craft a special tooth fairy pillow.

Many tooth fairy traditions focus on putting the tooth under a pillow. You can make this special by picking up a spare pillowcase to decorate for the occasion. Find fabric-safe markers and decorate the pillowcase with your child. You can hold onto it and swap it out every time the tooth fairy comes to visit.

Write the tooth fairy a letter.

You can start the conversation about oral health by having your child write a tooth fairy letter to be included alongside the tooth. Encourage your child to share the experience of losing their tooth, and how they feel about it. You can gain insight into your child’s perspective on their oral health and development.

Take a look at other tooth fairy traditions.

You can also bring up tooth fairy traditions from around the world, which are sure to delight your child. Many countries engage in the traditional Spanish tradition of the tooth mouse. Instead of a fairy, a mouse sneaks in to retrieve the tooth, typically left under a pillow, or in a slipper.

In other areas, such as Greece, India, and China, the tradition is to throw a lost baby tooth onto the roof. From there, a variety of different animals are said to retrieve them, depending on the country in question. It could be a mouse, squirrel, or even a pig!

Support your child’s development with your trusted dentist near Omaha.

Now that your child is expecting a visit from the tooth fairy soon, they’ve entered an important part of their development. Keeping up with routine pediatric dentistry visits during this time is essential to guide that development and avoid the need for more invasive treatment later on.

You can make The Tooth Doc your home for children’s dentistry. We provide a full range of dental treatments and can give you the professional advice needed to support your child’s healthy development. Schedule your next appointment today.