Many children look forward to losing their first tooth because it means a visit from the tooth fairy and maybe a fun trip to the dentist. While leaving a little money under your child’s pillow in exchange for their tooth is a fantastic tradition to keep, you may be able to put a custom spin on visits from the tooth fairy by trying these three ideas.

New Tooth Fairy Traditions

1. Offer a Receipt

Instead of only leaving money, think about leaving behind a written receipt from the tooth fairy. Include the date the tooth was lost, how much money they received, and a few pieces of advice for the recipient. For instance, you could encourage them to visit the dentist for aftercare or talk about the importance of brushing and flossing the incoming permanent tooth.

2. Keep a Tooth Fairy Journal

Ask your child to keep a tooth fairy journal detailing the adventures they encountered losing their teeth. Have them draw a picture of where they were when they lost the tooth, what they were doing, and which tooth was lost. Later on, you can even place the actual lost tooth in a small package in the journal, allowing older kids to look back on the experience fondly.

3. Chart Tooth Progress

Help your child to understand that they will lose more teeth by tracking their tooth loss progress on a chart. Find and print out a photo of normal dental anatomy, and have your child color teeth different shades as they fall out. When permanent teeth come in, have your child paste tooth-shaped pieces of paper over the spot where the tooth erupts.

Whether your little one’s tooth doesn’t fall out according to plan or you have questions about eruption timetables, work with the team at Naas Family Dentistry in northern Kentucky. From dental cleanings and sealants to help with diastema closure, their dentist, Dr. Wade, can help your kids to enjoy healthier, more comfortable smiles. To find out more about how they can assist, visit their website or call (859) 363-9200.