As a child, losing teeth is a milestone that means their adult teeth are about to make an appearance. For some kiddos, this transition is met with excitement. For others, the news can bring about feelings of fear. If your little one is expressing more anxiety than excitement, keep reading to learn three must-know tips for making the experience stress-free and fun!
Tip #1: Introduce the Concept with Books and Videos
Like introducing the notion of going to school or doing homework, explaining an entirely new concept to your child takes time. That’s where children’s books and videos come in! Seeing their favorite characters depict the experience gives your little one a visual representation of what to expect. Plus, these tools help normalize the process and make it familiar.
Tip #2: Be Informative and Light-Hearted About the Topic
Kids are known for asking endless questions. After all, the world is still so new and intriguing for them – it’s only natural! Whether they are asking about why it happens or what it feels like, make sure to stay away from “scary” words, like pain. Instead, keep your teeth-related conversations light-hearted and do your best to answer each question thoroughly.
Tip #3: Play Up the Tooth Fairy
For centuries, children have placed their teeth underneath their pillow as they sleep in hopes to exchange it for a small treat. So, if your little one is expressing some fearfulness over the idea of losing their baby teeth, play up the visit from this magical creature! You can purchase a special pillow for the occasion, buy some “fairy food” to leave on their nightstand and purchase a fun picture-book that shares exactly what the tooth fairy does with all those teeth!
It’s completely natural for your little one to experience some nerves around the idea of losing their teeth. Fortunately, you can use the above tips to keep their anxiety at bay, normalize the process and actually get them excited about their growing smile!
About the Practice
Simply Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry is where growing smiles can shine, whether it’s time for your little one’s first visit or your teen needs a teeth cleaning before heading off to college. Our team of experts have decades of combined experience, and they love using their advanced training and passion for their craft to keep your child’s teeth and gums in pristine condition throughout the years. If you are interested in learning more about children’s dentistry or would like to schedule an appointment, visit our website or give us a call at 781-767-7200.