Losing baby teeth is a rite of passage for many children, typically signaling advancement towards adolescence and eventually adulthood. While some kids find the prospect of losing teeth exciting, others aren't as comfortable with the process. Here are a few tips for helping children cope with the loss of their baby teeth.
Start Preparing at an Early Age
Children start losing teeth around 5 to 6 years of age, and the last of their teeth typically fall out at the beginning of adolescence (about 12-13). However, children will usually have questions about their teeth long before then. Taking time to talk to them about how their teeth work at an early age can go a long way towards mitigating any anxiety they may feel when their baby teeth actually start falling out.
Using age-appropriate language, explain to the child that teeth eventually fall out but will be replaced by a newer and stronger set. One thing that may be helpful is to purchase a toy set that allows children to mold teeth out of modeling clay and place it in a doll's head. This can help make the idea of re-growing teeth more concrete and understandable.
Another option to help minimize anxiety about losing teeth is to introduce the idea of the Tooth Fairy, or other culturally appropriate mythical being. Children have active imaginations and may actually look forward to losing a tooth just so they can get the benefit bestowed by the fictitious individual (e.g. a dollar for the lost tooth).
Visit the Dentist
When the child begins complaining about loose teeth—which typically signifies the tooth is on its way out—it's a good idea to take the child to see a pediatric dentist at a clinic like Southridge Pediatric Dentistry. The dentist will examine the teeth and gums to ensure they are healthy and address any issues that may impact the growth and health of the replacement tooth.
The dentist can also explain to the child what to expect when the tooth eventually falls out. He or she may address things like pain and bleeding that could occur, but in a manner appropriate to the child's age and maturity. The dentist may also encourage the child to wiggle the tooth around to help loosen it to make it fall out faster. This can provide the child with a sense of empowerment that can alleviate any fear they may be feeling.
When the Child's Tooth Falls Out
When the inevitable happens and the child's tooth eventually falls out (or the child pulls it out), treat the event like a momentous occasion, especially if it's the first one. You don't have to throw a party, but making a big deal of hiding the tooth under the pillow for the tooth fairy or putting the tooth in a baby scrapbook can make losing it less traumatic.
Young kids generally aren't concerned about the cosmetic aspects of missing teeth, but older children (preteens and teens) might be. If your child is overly concerned about the gap caused by a lost tooth, or has lost several at one time and is having difficulty eating or speaking as a result, then talk to a pediatric dentist about getting a temporary partial denture that can fill in the empty space until the new tooth grows in.
Share3 January 2015
Halloween is a holiday that my children love, and telling them they can't go door-to-door collecting candy would break their hearts. This led me to allowing them to collect candy on the holiday, then rationing it out to them every day instead of letting them gobble it up in just a few days. I always thought this was better for them, but my dentist told me this could be the reason why their February dental check-ups were always their worst ones. Daily candy consumption was taking a toll on their teeth. I started a new tradition of letting them indulge for two days, then giving them the option to swap the rest with me in exchange for a new toy. They never pass on the opportunity for a new toy. I created this blog to encourage other parents find similar tactics to keep their children's teeth healthy after Halloween.