Is your child almost six? Then it probably won’t be long before their baby teeth start to loosen to make room for their permanent ones. Although this process is completely normal, your child may experience some nerves or fear surrounding the idea. To ease their concerns or prevent that from happening altogether, here are a few tips to help make losing baby teeth less scary.
Tip #1. Celebrate Missing Teeth as a Milestone
When you first introduce the concept of losing baby teeth to your child, you want to keep it light and friendly. Explain to them that it is a natural part of becoming a “big kid,” and that growing into their new smile is something to be celebrated. You can even find books and videos of their favorite character going through the process to normalize the experience and help get them excited!
Tip #2. Explain Things Fully
Whether it’s on the playground or while surfing the internet, your child may come across some myths surrounding losing teeth. Since many of them can be quite scary, like slamming a door to yank their tooth out, it’s best to be upfront with your little one about what’s true and what isn’t. This will help them have a sense of calm throughout the process. Plus, it will let them know they have a reliable, trustworthy place to turn if they have any questions along the way.
Tip #3. Play Up the Tooth Fairy
From Santa Claus to the Easter Bunny, magical characters like these add a little extra excitement to annual holidays. Fortunately, the Tooth Fairy can add that same level of intrigue to the tooth-losing process! You can get your child a book about the tooth fairy, help them pick out a fun pillow, and even share stories about how other cultures celebrate losing their teeth.
Tip #4. Know When to Call for Help
Usually, children begin losing their baby teeth around age six or seven. If your child’s teeth are not wiggling by that time or their adult teeth are making an appearance before their baby ones are loose, call your child’s dentist. After conducting an initial exam, they can determine whether a treatment, like a tooth extraction, is necessary. Typically, this is only needed if your child is in discomfort or crowding is developing in their molars.
Initially, your child may feel a bit apprehensive about losing their baby teeth. Luckily, with the above tips, you can introduce them to the idea in a way that is informative, educational, and exciting!
About the Practice
At Simply Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we know that parents go above and beyond to keep their children happy and healthy, which is why providing personalized, friendly, compassionate, and high-quality care is so important to us. Dr. Sam Alkhoury and Dr. Anna Simon both have decades of experience helping growing smiles, making them the experts to trust with your child’s dental care. So, if you have a question about tooth loss or would like to schedule an appointment, don’t hesitate to visit our website or give us a call at 781-767-7200.