It’s a special milestone for a child when they lose their first tooth. After all, it officially puts them on the path to becoming a “big kid”. There’s nothing more exciting than the first visit from the Tooth Fairy. If your little one is eagerly awaiting the big day and you want to plan ahead for the Tooth Fairy's arrival, keep reading!
Here, at Risas Dental, we are just as excited as you are for this special day and we've put together this fun guide to help make your child's first encounter with the Tooth Fairy magical, memorable, and special.
The legend of the Tooth Fairy is just as mysterious as the Tooth Fairy themself and the exact origin is unknown. However, some "Tooth Fairy Experts" believe that the legend may stem from an 18th-century French children's book called "La Bonne Petite Souris [The Little Mouse]." In this story, a fairy helps save a queen from an evil king by turning into a mouse and hiding under the king's pillow.
During this period in history, children would sometimes hide their lost teeth in shoes and wake up to a treat or a gold coin. In the United States, the Tooth Fairy started showing up at children's homes sometime during the early 1900s. Over time, the different traditions of people around the world created the Tooth Fairy we know and love today!
The Tooth Fairy usually schedules their home visits for about an hour after the child's bedtime. This helps ensure that the little one has drifted off to dreamland and is not laying awake to catch a glimpse of the elusive and magical Tooth Fairy. For children who tend to wake up easily, the Tooth Fairy may opt to leave their special gift on a bedside table or dresser instead of beneath a pillow.
Tooth Fairy payments vary from state to state and the average rate in the United States is around $4.57 per tooth. Sometimes, the Tooth Fairy gets a little help from parents to increase the payments with some kids receiving up to $50 per tooth! Also, the Tooth Fairy might be willing to pay a little extra for a child's very first lost tooth as these teeth are considered highly valuable.
In addition to money, the Tooth Fairy is known to leave special gifts. Some of the Tooth Fairy's most memorable gifts include stickers, Tooth Fairy certificates, stuffed animals, gift cards, and travel-size toothbrushes and toothpaste. For gifts that are too big to fit beneath
the pillow, the Tooth Fairy may designate parents as official gift-givers and leave the larger presents with them. Here are some popular gift alternatives to money:
The days before the Tooth Fairy's first visit are exciting and it's important to give them a warm welcome. Here are some fun and creative ideas to help your child prepare for the Tooth Fairy's arrival:
If you'd like to schedule a dental visit or if you have any questions or concerns about your child's loose or lost tooth, the teammates at Risas Dental are happy to assist. Schedule an appointment today with one of our fun and caring doctors.
The Tooth Fairy is very secretive about what they do with all of the teeth they collect so nobody really knows. Some legends say that the Tooth Fairy uses newly collected teeth to make beautiful jewelry, while other stories say the Tooth Fairy uses teeth to build a magical castle. Sometimes, the Tooth Fairy is kind enough to leave a child's teeth with their parents for safekeeping.
Children usually start losing their baby teeth around age 6, with the last ones falling out by age 12. But the exact ages can vary from child to child. Your child may start losing teeth earlier due to issues such as tooth decay or accidents that loosen the teeth— or it may simply take a little longer for them to shed their last few baby teeth.
While the specific age which a child stops believing in the Tooth Fairy can vary, most kids start to suspect that the Tooth Fairy might actually be their parents by around age 7 or 8. However, children typically shed their final baby teeth around age 12, which means your kid may hold out hope until they collect their final Tooth Fairy payment!
Nobody knows the Tooth Fairy's true name except the Tooth Fairy themself. However, they might be willing to share it with your child. When your little one places their tooth under their pillow, they can also leave a nice note for the Tooth Fairy asking their name. They might just wake up to a magical response!
Losing baby teeth is a natural process that all children in elementary school experience. For your little ones, the experience can be exciting and even a little bit scary. It's important to take steps to ensure they're prepared for that first loose tooth and the ones that follow.
To guide you along your children's tooth-loss journey, our friendly teammates at Risas Dental have created this helpful article. Learn about everything from loose teeth timelines to how to prepare for your child's permanent teeth.
The general timeline for losing baby teeth is between the ages of 6 and 13, but some children start to lose teeth as early as 5 years old. Others may not lose their first tooth until age 7. Additionally, girls tend to start losing their teeth earlier than boys. In most cases, the two top front teeth and two bottom front teeth are the first baby teeth that come in, as well as the first to fall out. It's important to remember that the specific timing and order of primary tooth eruption can vary from child to child. If your child starts to lose their baby teeth outside the average timeline or if they lose their bottom teeth before their top teeth (or vice versa), there's usually no need to worry.
Knowing what to expect when it comes to your little one's first loose tooth can help ensure you're prepared for the big day. Early signs of a loose tooth include a wobbly feeling when you apply gentle pressure to the tooth or when your child wiggles it with their tongue. You may also notice slight swelling or a bit of blood on the gums as the tooth becomes looser in the socket. Ice can ease minor pain and swelling, and rinsing with warm salt water can help soothe irritated gum tissues.
If your child is concerned about having a loose tooth, you can ease their mind by assuring them that the process is totally normal and all kids experience loose teeth and tooth loss. This is also a great time to teach your child the importance of practicing good dental hygiene.
Adult teeth or permanent teeth usually begin to grow around age 6 or 7 in most children. First and second molars typically erupt between ages 7 and 13, while premolars normally develop between ages 10 and 12. Third molars, or wisdom teeth, generally grow between ages 17 and 21 — but the timeline for all permanent teeth can vary. Some children start losing their teeth at age 5, for example, which can lead to an earlier eruption of permanent teeth.
A loose tooth is a wonderful rite of passage for your little one, as it lets them know they're on their way to becoming a big kid. Plus, who doesn't love a visit from the tooth fairy? Here are some helpful tips on how to handle your child's loose teeth and prepare for their permanent teeth:
A pediatric dentist specializes in treating infants, children, and teenagers. Pediatric dentists are specifically trained in diagnosing and treating dental issues that are unique to children, and they complete educational programs in which they learn how to provide gentle care. Many pediatric dentists also specialize in orthodontics, and they generally treat children until they reach 18 years of age.
If it's time for your little one's first dental visit or if your school-aged child is starting to lose their baby teeth, we're here for you. Risas Dental offers affordable dental services for the family. Find a location near you to get started with quality dental care today.
Baby teeth usually begin to come in around 6 months of age. However, specific development times can vary. Your infant may be born with some of their baby teeth, or they may start teething around 4 months of age.
Most of the time, it's perfectly okay to gently wiggle a loose baby tooth if the tooth is clearly ready to come out. Dentists also advise parents to encourage their children to wiggle loose baby teeth with their tongues or with clean fingers to help speed up the process.
Children typically start losing their baby teeth between the ages of 5 and 6 years old, so 5 years old is considered normal. However, some children may begin losing their primary teeth as young as 4 years old — or they may not lose their first teeth until age 7.
Most of the time, losing a baby's tooth is a painless process. Still, your little one may experience minor bleeding and gum swelling after the tooth falls out. If your child is in pain before or after a baby's tooth falls out or if they have any other unusual symptoms, make sure to follow up with your pediatric dentist.
Sucking is a normal and important habit that helps babies learn to eat and drink and can also serve as a calming effect. However, if it keeps going on for too long
Are you thinking about sedation for your child’s dental treatment? Dental sedation is often very helpful for children that are apprehensive or anxious about dental treatment. It is also very effective in preventing dental-related trauma later in life.
One of the most common concerns that parents have regarding their children’s dental health is cavity prevention. Cavities can be painful and can lead to other types of infections. Once you have a cavity, the treatment needed for it can be quite expensive and invasive for your child.
