With National Tooth Fairy Day just around the corner (celebrated both on August 22 and February 28, in case you miss it!) it’s the perfect time to introduce the importance of proper dental hygiene to your little one. The process of saying goodbye to baby teeth to make room for permanent adult teeth can be a bit daunting for children, but at Oral Care Dentistry, we believe that the Tooth Fairy tradition is a great way to make the transition fun, rewarding, and educational. In honor of one of our favorite national holidays, we’ve compiled a list of the four best ways to get your children excited about this rather important milestone.
- Meet the Tooth Fairy: What better way to introduce your son or daughter to the magical tooth collector than to gather together as a family to watch The Tooth Fairy, starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as a hockey player turned tooth fairy. Serve up some tooth-friendly snacks as well, such as fresh fruit, to encourage good oral and overall health. Learning about healthy alternatives to typical movie snacks will also encourage your son or daughter to make daily choices that will keep his or her teeth clean and sparkling!
- Create a Personalized Tooth Fairy Pillow: Help your child craft a little pillow for his or her tooth to wait comfortably on before being picked up by the fairy. Let your child’s imagination run wild with paper, felt, markers, and glitter! Be sure to add a little pocket as well to make a great spot for the fairy to leave a present inside in exchange for a healthy and clean tooth. The Tooth Fairy can even get creative with her gift, leaving behind a new toothbrush, fun-flavored toothpaste, or even cavity-fighting lollipops in addition to or as an alternative to the traditional money.
- Story Time: One way to instill great oral hygiene habits in your child, in addition to encouraging thorough brushing and flossing at least twice a day, is to read a dental health-themed book during your nightly story time. There are numerous fun and educational titles to choose from, such as “Dear Tooth Fairy” by Alan Durant and Vanessa Cabban or “The Mixed-up Tooth Fairy” by William Faulkner. Children typically begin losing their teeth around the age of six, but it’s never too early to begin reading oral health-themed storybooks!
- Play Time: Incorporate some Tooth Fairy-themed games and activities into your children’s playtime to not only encourage good habits but to also help associate dental hygiene with fun. There are countless coloring books, games, quizzes, and crafts you and your child can enjoy on a regular basis. Learning about how to protect your teeth does not have to happen just when brushing and flossing or visiting the dentist!
At Oral Care Dentistry, Dr. Parnaz Aurasteh and her team hope that you and your little ones participate in National Tooth Fairy Day and make good oral hygiene habits a part of your everyday routine. Encourage your child to brush and floss every morning and night, and don’t forget to stop in at our kid friendly Beverly Hills office for your son or daughter’s annual checkup. We strongly believe in making a trip to the dentist a fun, positive, and interesting experience. So, don’t hesitate to schedule your family dental services with us today! Call (310) 974-6779 or contact us online!
