The tooth fairy helps children learn that teeth are valuable!
What’s the tooth fairy paying these days? Ask ten children, and the amount of money each finds under the pillow will be different. Ranging from a coin to paper money. What matters is that the tooth has a value. A tooth is something precious. We treasure the smiles children give us so we want our children to grow up with great teeth for life. A good reason for paying for a tooth is to help children to see that a tooth is worth something – that teeth should be looked after and cherished.
Why do children lose their teeth?
We human’s only have two sets of teeth in our life. Our first teeth are small, to fit into our young mouths. During our childhood and teens, our jaw grows and we need bigger, stronger teeth. Unlike a shark, we can’t produce endless replacement teeth though. Once a secondary tooth is lost or damaged, that’s it – gone for ever. Which is why children need to learn to look after their teeth.
The NHS covers the cost for children under 18 to see the dentist at no expense to parents or guardians. This is because dental checks are important. Amelia visits her dentist every six months. Matthew checks that her mouth and teeth are healthy, gives her tips about brushing, and checks that incoming teeth are on track. As Amelia’s been visiting the dentist since she was a baby, she’s acclimatised, and not nervous at all.
A few facts about children’s teeth:
- Baby/primary/milk/deciduous teeth are smaller, whiter and have shorter roots than secondary teeth.
- The baby tooth acts a guide for the secondary tooth into the correct position.
- The root of the primary tooth is re-absorbed, as the secondary tooth pushes up.
- A full set of secondary/permanent teeth are in place by the age of twelve or thirteen.