How to Make Losing Baby Teeth Fun
Posted on April 27th, 2022
A child’s first set of teeth (known as baby teeth or primary teeth) start coming in when they are around six months of age or a year. These moments are reserved for parental management of teething symptoms and safe, daily infant dental care. When a child reaches the age where their adult teeth start coming in, those baby teeth will fall out, and now your child is old enough to experience the curiosity and excitement that so often comes with smile development.
When children start losing baby teeth, there can be a variety of emotions and reactions. Some children will feel upset that their smile looks funny, others will find it fascinating or thrilling. The point is that no matter how your child feels about losing their teeth, there are ways to make the experience more fun and exciting for them.
When Do Kids Start to Lose Teeth
It’s important to let your child know that their teeth will change as they grow up. Usually, most children lose their first tooth around age six or seven. When this time approaches, parents should explain what will happen and why, followed by reassurance that it is completely normal to lose a baby tooth.
Mention to your child they will likely see friends losing teeth at school very shortly, if they haven’t already. Additionally, be sure to explain the difference between baby teeth vs adult teeth, and the importance of taking care of their smiles as they get older.
Make The Experience One to Remember
Going forward, there are ways you can make the experience special for your child. One example is telling your child about the Tooth Fairy, and leaving a dollar under their pillow in exchange for their baby tooth, along with a celebratory note from the fairy herself.
Another way to make the milestone more fun is to take your child out for ice cream or another treat each time they lose a tooth. You can also take a picture of your child’s new smile and hang it up to commemorate the moment, which will make them feel proud and special. As their permanent tooth slowly erupts to fill the space left behind by the baby tooth, take photos over a period of days or weeks to showcase the growth process.
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When your child is going through different stages of dental development, you need a pediatric dentist you can trust to provide necessary procedures and preventative care. Schedule an appointment with Chicago KiDDS Pediatric Dentistry to find out what makes our dental practice stand out from the rest, and how we can help your child’s teeth stay healthy throughout their life.
