By Ashley Valco
This weekend my friends son lost his first tooth!
I personally love when kids come into my office thrilled that they have lost or have a wiggly tooth. Maybe it is just my passion for teeth, or my weird obsession with the tooth fairy. I guess it is really both! Either way, it is milestone for your little one.
The first teeth to become loose are generally the front bottom two (lower central incisors). They begin to wiggle once the adult tooth beneath it starts to apply pressure to make its way into that spot. This can happen as early as age 4 or as late as age 7, however, it generally happens around age 5 to 6.
When the teeth become mobile it is a good idea to encourage them to wiggle it. Most children are excited for this process to begin, and even more for the visit from the tooth fairy! If your child is a worrier, they may be apprehensive and think it could be painful. You can reassure them that they are likely to not feel a thing.
It is important to remind your kids to continue brushing the tooth that is loose. Many times children avoid that wiggly tooth because it may feel strange to brush. By avoiding it, plaque builds up around it and beneath it and can effect the adult tooth below.
When the new teeth emerge there are two things every parent always asks:
“Why are they so big?” and
“Why are they so yellow?”
Baby teeth are much smaller and whiter than adult teeth. Therefore, when adult teeth come in, they look very yellow and large in comparison. As the rest of the baby teeth fall out over the next 6 years, you will see the teeth begin to look a “normal” shade and size.
Around the time of the loss of those front teeth, your child’s first adult molars (6 year molars) will begin to appear. They are all the way in the back of the mouth, behind the baby molars. Once they are fully erupted, their dental hygienist/dentist will recommend Sealants. Check out my coming post that will cover everything you need to know about Sealants!
Finally, the other question that comes up most when children lose their first tooth,
“What is the going rate these days from the tooth fairy?”
I have heard everything from $1 to $20 to a new toy! It seems to me that $5 is the most common.
What have you given or plan to give? What are your tooth fairy traditions? I would love to hear from you!
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