When it comes to teaching your children to take care of their teeth, there aren’t all that many bright points; any parent will tell you that getting children to brush properly can be a challenge, and actually getting them to the dentist even more so.
The tooth fairy is one big exception to that! This is an opportunity to make dental care fun for your kids and to inject a little bit of magic into their lives along the way. Here are some ways you can welcome the tooth fairy with your child.
Make a Tooth Container
You can always have your child put their tooth under their pillow, but that can pose a little bit of a challenge for parents who don’t have the lightest fingers. If you’d prefer, you and your child can create a specialized container for their teeth, covered in all kinds of glue and glitter that can make it feel special.
Get a Tooth Fairy Calendar
Who’s to say that the tooth fairy has to come as soon as the tooth is loose? You could build up a lot of suspense for the occasion, and make it all the more special, by buying a calendar and marking a day when the tooth fairy will come.
You can pick a day around a week or two out, then have your child cross out the days until then. You can even turn this into a dental calendar, where you reward your child with stickers for brushing their teeth or mark upcoming dental visits.
Leave Them a Receipt
While nobody will turn their nose up at a little cash, it can feel a little bit impersonal. You might include a little note with the money left by the tooth fairy that praises your child for taking care of their teeth or encourages them to do more.
You can draft this receipt on any piece of paper you’re comfortable with or can use one of many templates online. Consider these tips, and your child’s first visit from the tooth fairy will be all the more special!
About the Author
Dr. Lily Hoang is a pediatric dentist who has always wanted to find a career that allows her to make a difference in the lives of children, and feels enormously privileged to be able to do that every day for her patients. Dr. Lily received her doctorate from the Western University of Health Sciences, and she completed her pediatric certification at the University of Nevada. She’s also a proud member of the American Academy of Pediatric Medicine.
If you have any questions about how to make the tooth fairy exciting for kids, she can be reached at her website or by phone at (469) 925-0861.