Nine Creative Ways to Celebrate Your Child’s Tooth Loss
Although the Tooth Fairy is quite common as a mythical figure in the United States, it is certainly not a universally practiced tradition. For example, in some Asian cultures, parents bury their children’s teeth next to a tree, symbolizing the hope that the new tooth will grow as strong as the roots. In some Latin American cultures, a rodent named Raton Perez is believed to scurry under children’s pillows in search of teeth, replacing them with gifts.
In general, there is no rule that says you have to follow the Tooth Fairy tradition of leaving money under your child’s pillow. If for some reason you want to change things up to celebrate your tooth loss, here are some alternatives you can try to make the moment more memorable.
Give your child a certificate
Children thrive on the joy of recognition for their achievements. Instead of just leaving them a fresh green dollar bill under their pillow, why not celebrate the occasion with a personalized certificate? Whether you choose from the many templates available online or create your own, this tangible symbol of their achievement can be proudly displayed in their room, reminding them of this special moment.
Use your own tooth fairy currency
Instead of giving your kids real money for teeth, why not use those gold coins directly from the tooth fairy herself? They come in packs of 12, so you can use them for many other purposes besides marking the occasion. Use them as a reward for being cavity-free at your last dental visit, and have your child save them for a big reward. Not only are you teaching them good habits, but you are also introducing them to how to save money.
Let them look at the book
If your child is a bookworm, they won’t be disappointed if they get more books. Board books fit nicely under a pillow, and there are plenty of age-appropriate books about the winged chisel collector that will broaden their horizons and improve their reading skills. It’s definitely better than watching this movie (or this one ).
Make an album
Unleash your child’s creative side by turning his lost tooth into a craft. They can create a scrapbook page by putting the tooth in a plastic bag and post photos before and after it comes out. If your child isn’t into art, there are plenty of cool gift boxes and holders that will help keep their little ones safe.
Go for ice cream or sweets
Sometimes moving the tooth doesn’t help. We had to pull my oldest son’s baby teeth once or twice at his request, which caused his mouth to hurt. What better way to ease the pain than by going out for a cool ice cream cone or a sweet treat? However, if you’re concerned that sugar may be harming your child’s dental health, a popular sugar-free candy called Zollipops claims to be good for teeth.
Try trinkets instead of money
Depending on your child’s age, that money under the pillow probably won’t be spent anytime soon. If you want to make tooth loss a more (inexpensive) experience, head to the dollar store or your local Target and buy a few trinkets, like a toy car, a notepad, or a small bottle of bubbles. The morning will be memorable and accessible.
Take them for a walk
Spending time with children can be difficult, so you can use this stage to carve out a few minutes for one-on-one time with your toothless child. There are many things you can do together that won’t cost you much , such as going on a bike ride, having a picnic in the park, or playing a board game. They probably won’t mind what you do if you spend any time with them.
Give them a new toothbrush
Like most kids their age, my kids don’t like brushing their teeth. However, they love getting new toothbrushes, especially those with their favorite characters on them. So, if your child has grown out of pajama masks and loves Super Mario , reinforce their love while practicing good hygiene with a new toothbrush. A new toothbrush can make brushing teeth more fun and enjoyable for your child, which could (fingers crossed) save you money on dental bills in the long run.
Throw a dental party
What to do if a baby tooth falls out of a child’s mouth? You should celebrate! Kids love to throw parties, and you can help them celebrate the moment by setting up decorations and dressing up, baking a cake in the shape of molars, or playing fun teeth-themed games.