They lose their first tooth one day, you blink, then it’s “Mom, can I get the car keys”. I’m not there yet, but it sure feels like it and I’m sure many of you reading this have been there already. I mean, didn't his first little tooth come poking through just last week? But here we are. A couple of weeks ago, on Valentine’s Eve, I saw a message pop up from my son’s school about an hour or so before dismissal. It read, “He lost a tooth today…during our social lesson and I only knew because he had a strange look on his face and then he said it came out!”
We’ve been watching his two bottom middle teeth lately because they were loose as all get out; we’ve been expecting this would happen any day. I anticipated this starting closer to 6 yrs old, and my son just turned 5, so this did feel soon. I made sure to talk to him early on in detail and had conversations about what’s likely going to happen so he doesn’t adversely react or freak out. When I tell my son things, I ask him to repeat it back to me at random thereafter. So he knew, Mama wants my tooth if it falls out at school and I gotta bring it home.
I received a pleasant surprise in the form of the cutest picture sent by his teacher with him wearing a tooth necklace that stored his tooth! I live for these kinds of small details. As Moms or Caregivers, we don’t always get them and some only happen once. Big KUDDOS to his teacher for taking the moment to allow me my moment. I know I’m not alone when I say we don’t want to miss the first crawl, step, word, you name it. We’d love to witness ALL their firsts. This was the next best thing ❤️
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So we get to pickup time and he was so confident in sharing his experience and I do think it helped that we talked about it beforehand. So I asked him, now what? “He said, “We put it under the pillow”. He remembered. I opted to not go with a monetary gift in place of the tooth, instead I tucked a new small monster truck under his pillow and I think I’ll continue on this path of small treats instead of money. He woke up thrilled. Absolutely thrilled. It was a wholesome way to start Valentine's Day and cemented a core memory for sure.
On that note, you hear things from family or other parents like, don’t force the tooth out or aggressively wiggle it because it might grow back crooked. Well in the spirit of National Children's Dental Health Month this month, how fitting, to share some takeaways from the little reading I did to clear up some myths on when your children’s baby teeth start making their way out.
🦷 Big yes to preparation and conversations about the process, how it could happen, why they're losing their teeth, assuring them it's absolutely normal, that we all experience it, and there will be discomfort and possibly some pain. And even share that IF they happen to swallow their tooth, it's more common than we think. No measures need to be taken if it happens.
🦷 Natural loosening is always the way to go, so reminding them not to play or force a loose tooth is the best approach.
🦷 Feel comfortable with the routine as usual when it comes to their daily brushing and flossing.
🦷 Once tooth is out, they might cry a little (mine did) only because there will be some blood, but luckily it stops fast and can be helped with a little saltwater rinse if your little can stand it. Otherwise, celebrate it how you see fit and enjoy the milestone.
🦷 It's a good idea that we keep track or take pics of which teeth fall out when so that you're prepared to communicate if needed with your child's dentist.
To nip some myths in the bud...
🚫 Neglecting baby teeth because they fall out is not the way to go. Taking care sets forth the importance of hygiene and gum care and all that needs to happen leading up to the growth of healthy permanent teeth.
🚫 Pulling teeth out is a solid no as it could negatively impact gum health and affect how the permanent teeth come in.
🚫 Permanent teeth do not necessarily come in faster if they lose baby teeth early on.
🚫 Gaps in baby teeth does not mean there will be gaps in permanent teeth. Gaps in baby teeth are likely going to be beneficial as it indicates there will be more room for the permanent teeth to grow in properly.
🚫 Swallowing a baby tooth IS NOT dangerous.
🚫 All baby teeth do not all fall out around the same age. The timeline differs for each child and can start before 6 years old and continue on until 13 years of age!
🚫 Using aspirin on a sore gum will not help and might cause burning.
🚫 If permanent teeth come in crooked, they don't self-correct. Orthodontic intervention will be needed.
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After initially writing this article day after it happened, he did lose a second tooth not even 5 days after his first! This time he was off of school and at home with me. We were having breakfast and he said, "come with me to the bathroom Mama". His tooth was horizontal, hanging on by less than a thread! So he asked me to take it out and it felt like the right thing to do. Reflecting on this, he was pretty fearless and I can appreciate that. All it took was me gaining a grip and it was out with less than a pull. It was such a tender mother-son moment if I'm being honest, and if losing a tooth can even be fun, it was. I guess the key is just to not freak them out and let it happen.
Now that this experience is behind us, what to do with the teeth? I've seen interesting takes on this such as making jewelry of your child's baby teeth and that's a pass for me. I think I might keep it a little more simple/traditional, perhaps find a little container with label and tuck it away, along with his lock of hair from his first haircut and other sentimental items. Going forward, as he loses more teeth, it feels wrong to just discard them in a waste can. Two suggestions from google recommend either burying them in the backyard or donating them to a scientific research facility that studies stem cells. Interesting thoughts. We'll see what we do...
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