Your Child and Their First Lost Tooth

Is your child ready to lose their first tooth? Children typically start losing their baby teeth around age six , depending on the child's individual oral development. If your little one has a wiggly tooth or two, take a look at what you need to know about this all-important step in dental development.

Your child's tooth is hanging on by a string. Even though it's about to fall out, it just won't. Should you grab the tooth and pull? Or should you leave it as is and let nature take its course - even if it takes days to eventually fall out? In general, let the tooth fall out on its own. This minimizes the risk of trauma to your child's mouth. But if your child's tooth is more than just loose and is almost completely separate from the gum, place a clean tissue over it and wiggle away. If the tooth doesn't come out easily, never try to force it. The method of tying one end of a string around the tooth and other on a doorknob is never advisable under any circumstance.

Now that the tooth is out, what should you do next? Chances are your child eagerly anticipates the arrival of the tooth fairy. If you're not at home when the tooth falls out, wrap it in a paper towel or tissue and place it somewhere safe (such as your purse or your child's backpack). If you are at home, you can still fold the tooth into tissue. A young, curious child often wants to look at and explore their recently lost tooth. If you have concerns about your child taking the tooth out before you can put it under their pillow at night, find a hiding spot that your child can't access. This prevents permanent loss.

The tooth has made it through the day without little hands accidentally dropping it down the drain, into the toilet, or anywhere else. Now you're ready to prepare for the tooth fairy's visit. This leads many parents to one question - how much should the tooth fairy give the child? The answer to this question depends on several factors, including:

• Your personal preference. Some parents have a definite limit about how much money the tooth fairy leaves, while others want to give as much as possible. Your comfort level is the most important part of the tooth fairy calculation equation.
• The going rate. If you have no idea what's a reasonable tooth fairy gift, consider the average going rate. Ask your friends who have kids, the parents of your child's classmates, or family members. According to a recent survey of 1,000 parents, the average rate is just short of four dollars.
• Other gifts. Some parents prefer to leave a small gift instead of money.

Along with leaving money/a gift, you can make your child's first tooth fairy experience special with an added activity. Have your child draw a picture for the fairy. Write a note (as the tooth fairy) and leave it as a thank you for the drawing.

The tooth for money exchange is over. What should you do with the tooth? You have several different options, depending on your preference. Some parents save the tooth (especially the first tooth) as a keepsake. You can stash the tooth in a keepsake box, holding on to for years to come. If you want to take saving a step farther, you can pay an artist to turn the tooth into a personalized piece of jewelry. Do you have concerns about your child's first lost tooth? Contact the office of P.A. Daniel Jr., D.D.S. , for more information.