Losing a tooth can be a real milestone for many parents. And for the little tikes battling a loose tooth, well, sometimes that milestone can be a bit scary. That’s why it is up to parents to make the transition from "baby" to "big kid" as easy as possible. So how can you ease your child’s concerns and make losing baby teeth more fun? Here are some simple DIY projects you can do to turn this normal childhood experience into a real adventure.

Make a Special Tooth Tote Together

Kids love to have special places to hide their trinkets. Use this interest to make losing each baby tooth more exciting by making a special pillow or box together where your child can store those teeth until the Tooth Fairy arrives. This simple craft doesn’t have to be elaborate. Most craft stores sell small wooden boxes that you can paint together for storing teeth. You can also glue a small pillow together using tooth-shaped felt. Your child will love doing the project and won’t be able to wait to have a tooth to hide away.

Sprinkle Some Fairy Dust

How exactly does the Tooth Fairy know that her services are needed? If your child is worried that the little sprite will pass by your home, make a point of spreading some fairy dust (sparkly glitter) around your child’s bedroom door or window sill. That way the Tooth Fairy will know she is needed. For an extra special treat, leave tiny footprints in the glitter after your child falls asleep so that they know she was really there!

Leave a Tiny-Sized Fairy Note

Kids have wonderful imaginations. Use that to your advantage by leaving a tiny-sized note from the Tooth Fairy along with a special surprise for your little tyke.

Leave a Special Gift

Children love the excitement of getting a surprise. That is what makes a Tooth Fairy visit so special.  So, don’t simply leave a toy or money for your child. Think of something special or unique to leave your child after each visit. Coming up with a theme can also be fun. For instance, one parent I know collected those specialty National Park quarters and left one for each tooth lost. With the first tooth, she also left a collector’s book to store the quarters in. Her kids loved it! They simply couldn’t wait to see what park they got next and fill their book.

What other ideas can you use for special Tooth Fairy surprises? Here are a few ideas:

• Golden coins. These are not something kids see every day so they usually love them.
• Foreign coins and a book about the country. This is a wonderful way to introduce your kids to new places and different cultures.
• Pressed Tooth Fairy pennies. This is a fun novelty every kid enjoys.
• Books. If you have a little bookworm, tucking a new novel under the pillow will be a wonderful treat. 
• A unique toothbrush or oral care novelty. If your child has always wanted an electric toothbrush use this as a time to give it to them. Also, use this transition to a big kid as a time to teach them to rinse and floss by giving them fun colored floss and/or mouthwash.

Ask for Help

Still not sure how to ease your child’s anxieties about losing those important baby teeth? Ask your pediatric dentist for help. Dr. Jody Wright of Wright Smiles Pediatric Dentistry loves to help parents  make oral care fun. Call Dr. Wright today to make an appointment for your child.