Children have 20 baby teeth they’ll eventually lose to make way for 28 permanent teeth, which means the Tooth Fairy will be paying your home quite a few visits.
Parents and the Tooth Fairy can work together to use her visits as a way to educate kids about their oral health and how to properly care for their teeth.
Here are 5 lessons to learn from the Tooth Fairy!
1. Visiting the dentist regularly is a good thing
Did you know dentists around the world work with the Tooth Fairy to keep track of our teeth? Well, now you do.
Tell your kids that aside from checking for cavities and cleaning teeth, the dentist also reports what they find to the Tooth Fairy so she can keep updated records.
A good report from the dentist might be rewarded with an extra surprise by the Tooth Fairy, so kids should take their dentist appointments seriously.
2. Oral health is important
The Tooth Fairy needs to collect teeth that are strong and healthy, so your kids need to stay on top of their brushing and flossing if they want a good payment.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 5 children have at least one untreated, a decayed tooth, which means the Tooth Fairy can’t use about 20% of the teeth she collects.
Luckily, these common oral health problems are preventable with fluoride treatments and good brushing and flossing habits.
The CDC and Tooth Fairy also recommend limiting sugary foods and drinks between meals and paying close attention to any pain or discomfort.
3. Teeth are kind of interesting
Kids have three types of teeth: Incisors, canines, and molars.
The Tooth Fairy can leave a receipt or note behind after each visit that lists the type of tooth she collected and what that tooth is used for.
4. The value of a tooth is tied to the economy
Ever wonder how the Tooth Fairy sets her rates? She works with economists, of course.
For more than three decades, the Tooth Fairy Index has closely tracked the U.S. economy and S&P 500 to determine the average going rate for a tooth. If the markets are up, you have a better chance of getting a good price for a tooth.
It’s a great way to introduce your kids to economics using a simple example.
5. Building an oral hygiene routine is pretty easy
The Tooth Fairy knows that brushing and flossing isn’t very exciting, but there are ways to make it manageable and even a little fun.
After a child loses a tooth, the Tooth Fairy can leave behind a brushing and flossing calendar to put in the bathroom. She can also drop off a timer so you know you’re spending enough time caring for your teeth every day.
You can also let your kids listen to music or a kid-friendly podcast while brushing to make the time go by a little faster.
