With all the parenting advice out there, you may have some difficulty finding the right tips for you and your child. You may feel overwhelmed or confused about how to react when your child begins losing teeth, but you don’t have to worry anymore. This post will give you the information you need to understand the entire process.
When your child loses his or her primary or “baby” teeth, it marks an important milestone in development. Prepare for this big change by using the information and tips below.
Primary or “Baby” Teeth
Can you imagine if little kids automatically got their permanent teeth at age 1-2? There’s a reason why humans get primary teeth first. Primary teeth act as placeholders for permanent teeth and set the stage for future dental health.
Most infants develop their central incisors between 6-12 months. From there, the primary teeth erupt from the middle outwards until the second molars emerge between ages 2-3.
Once your child reaches age 3, he or she should have almost all 20 primary teeth. These teeth will stay and prosper until about age 6. You can click here to view a complete chart of when teeth come in and fall out.
From ages 7-13, the mouth slowly reabsorbs the roots of each tooth, leaving the primary teeth loose and ready to fall out. When this process begins, learn how to react and teach your child about his or her dental health.
The Dos and Don’ts of Losing Teeth
Each child reacts differently to losing their teeth, but you can take a few basic steps to make this experience a positive one. Here are some fundamental things to do in preparation for your tooth fairy duties:
Do
1. Prepare your child for the loss of his or her first tooth.
Between ages 5-7, your child will notice loose teeth. Make sure you explain why this happens: they lose their little teeth so stronger and better ones can grow in. Emphasize the importance of taking care of new teeth since new ones won’t replace this set.
If your child doesn’t have loose teeth yet, you should still explain the process to him or her. Feel free to create excitement about the tooth fairy. The more positive you make the experience beforehand, the happier your child will be.
2. Learn how to pull a tooth beforehand.
To pull a tooth correctly the first time, you have to memorize these steps:
- Patiently wait until the tooth comes extremely loose.
- Once it has a large range of “wiggle” motion, you can help your child pull it out.
- Use facial tissue or gauze to firmly grasp the tooth and pull it out.
- A quick twist while pulling will help it come out completely.
If you don’t know whether or not you can safely remove a tooth, you can always contact your dentist to do the extraction. Don’t forget to remind your child about the normalcy of this process-if your child feels normal, he or she won’t feel as scared.
3. Use this opportunity to teach about good oral hygiene.
Make sure your youngster understands the permanence of his or her adult teeth. If you help them create good oral habits early on, they’ll have healthy teeth for many years to come. Supervise them brushing morning and night to instill healthy habits. This will help them take care of their teeth in the future.
You should also talk about the necessity of dentist visits. Help your child feel happy and positive about going to the dentist. You can do this by showing excitement yourself and explaining how the dentist helps your mouth be healthy and happy.
4. Support your child and reward them.
Certain children find that losing their teeth causes pain or discomfort. You can use child pain relievers to remedy this, but be sure tocontact your dentist if things become particularly bad. Watch for swollen gums and redness to know when a dentist’s visit is necessary.
After they lose the tooth, pain should dissipate. Consult your dentist if this does not occur.
Once the tooth comes out, you should help your child feel excited about the event. Take pictures, congratulate your child, and share the happy news with friends. Remember to attend to your tooth fairy duties soon after-this will help your child feel excited about the next loose tooth.
Don’t
Now that you know what to do, here are some things to avoid when your child loses his or her teeth:
- Show alarm when the tooth falls out
- Wiggle or pull a tooth prematurely
- Forget to keep regular dental appointments
- Make tooth care a forced and negative experience
Tooth Fairy Certified
By following these simple steps, you’ve put you and your child on the path to tooth losing success and tooth fairy expertise. Remember: your reactions will determine whether losing teeth becomes a positive or negative experience for your child. Make it a positive experience so the process will go that much smoother in the future.