The tooth fairy works hard every night to ensure children across the country receive small treats for losing their teeth. After all, the loss of a baby tooth is a big step towards becoming a grown-up, and children should be excited about advancing in life. Believe it or not, the tooth fairy has taken a more proactive approach in recent years by encouraging children to take good care of their teeth and leaving dental hygiene supplies as gifts. Here are a few fun ways to welcome the tooth fairy while educating your child about the importance of excellent oral care.
Have the Tooth Fairy Leave a Receipt for Your Child’s Tooth
A little documentation can help your child understand what a big deal losing a tooth really is. There are a variety of tooth receipt templates available for download on the Internet, or you can even make your own. You might want it to note the date and time the tooth was taken, the type of tooth it was, the gift left behind, or even a small note. You could have the tooth fairy write, “This tooth is beautiful! Keep up the good work!” or even “Thank you for the tooth! I’d like to see more flossing!”
Have Your Child Make a Tooth Fairy Dish
The tooth fairy will take a tooth even if it isn’t placed under a pillow. You might want to help your child construct a small dish to hold the lost tooth on the night of the tooth fairy’s visit. They could mold one out of clay or decorate a small dish with colors and decorations they think the tooth fairy will like.
Encourage Your Child to Keep a Tooth Journal
A simple spiral notebook can become a record of your child losing their baby teeth. All you need is an inexpensive notebook from the office supply aisle at the grocery store or pharmacy. You can have your child decorate it with drawings or stickers while also recording their name, hometown, and birthday to ensure everything looks official. Have them write the tooth fairy a note of thanks in the evening and record the gift received in the morning.
The tooth fairy is all about helping kids have fun while teaching them about proper oral hygiene. Taking a few steps to welcome her can help your child learn to value their smile and care for it for life.
About the Author
Dr. Ryne Paulson earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from Creighton University in Omaha, NE and served a two-year residency throughout the islands of Hawaii. He takes pride in providing children with excellent dental health services while keeping his sense of humor about him. His office in Casper, WY offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. For more tips on helping your child take care of their teeth, contact his office online or dial (307) 266-1997.