How Can the Tooth Fairy Encourage Oral Health?

Leaving a tooth under the pillow for the Tooth Fairy is an age-old tradition that is sure to spark the imagination and bring some fun to a childhood milestone.  But it also creates an opportunity to reinforce oral hygiene habits that we try instilling into our children.

Here are a few fun ideas for the Tooth Fairy to help encourage kids toward good oral health:

Leave a Special Note:  Include a letter written to your child from the Tooth Fairy.  A personalized note thanking the child for his or her tooth will be very exciting.  You can also use this as an opportunity for a friendly reminder to help them stay on track with their oral routine.  The beauty is that it can be adapted to your child’s needs.  The Tooth Fairy can remind them to floss every day, or point out that she’s noticed an improvement since the last tooth she picked up.

Additional Gifts: Include a toothbrush, a new flavor of toothpaste, or some floss.  Your child may be more motivated to use these tools if it is a special delivery from the Tooth Fairy.

Create a Brushing and Flossing Chart:  Make a daily brushing and flossing chart to help the child with their daily brushing routine.  The Tooth Fairy can leave it with instructions or a description of a special reward for completing it.  There are lots of ideas online for creative fun charts.  If your child already uses a chart, give them some special stickers to use for tracking their oral hygiene success.

Be Pre-emptive: Who says the Tooth Fairy can only come after losing a tooth?  Why not add an extra surprise from time to time?  If your child is feeling nervous about an upcoming dental appointment, the Tooth Fairy can leave a note of encouragement.  If your child has a loose tooth, she can leave a note that she came to check on it and will be back when it’s ready.  Is it time for a new brush?  Why pick it up from the store when it can magically appear under your child’s pillow one morning?  These little surprises can keep the dream alive and keep the conversation about oral health going even in-between lost teeth.

So, the next time your child loses a tooth, encourage the Tooth Fairy to not just stick a dollar or two under his or her pillow.  Ask her to incorporate some of these ideas to add a little whimsy to her visits, and encourage your child toward life-long oral health.