The Tooth Fairy has been an important part of the overall approach to children’s oral health for a long time. The evidence suggests the existence of the tooth fairy has a positive effect on children’s teeth. This can build a foundation for long-term strong oral hygiene.
National Tooth Fairy Day was celebrated on August 20th, with the day an opportunity to emphasise the role that the tooth fairy can have in improving the oral health of children.
The oral health of children is important. Good oral hygiene as a child should increase the chances of them growing up and continuing to exhibit excellent hygiene. This can have significant dental and health benefits.
About the tooth fairy
The origin of the tooth fairy dates back to earlier centuries in Europe. The tradition has since continued, and made it to North America [1].
Tooth fairy visits are an exciting prospect for children. The process starts when a child loses one of their deciduous/milk teeth.
The child will place the lost tooth under their pillow before going to sleep. When they wake up, money is usually there. This process continues every time that a child loses a tooth.
The tooth fairy can therefore act as a way of incentivizing strong oral hygiene for children. Moreover, the tooth fairy shows children how important oral health is.
The Tooth Fairy and Children’s teeth
Across the world, children’s teeth are decaying more than ever before. For example, in London, England, statistics show that by the time children reach the age of 5, over a quarter are suffering from tooth decay [2].
Delta Dental’s 2020 State of America’s Oral Health Report [3] had many findings. 72% of parents surveyed say they struggle to get their child to brush their teeth [3]. 75% of parents admitted their child’s oral health could be better [3].
Barriers do exist. The same report found that 52% of parents believed brushing teeth took time away from things their child would rather do. 44% of parents said their child thought brushing their teeth was boring. 31% of parents suggested their child didn’t like the taste of toothpaste.
Dental visits for preventive care for children dropped from 89% in 2019 to 81% in 2020 [3]. This drop is surely due to the effects of Covid-19. Even so, the above means that some children only visit the dentist for reactive care, such as when they are in a dental emergency.
The above underlines the importance of parents using the tooth fairy as a motivating factor for children to clean their teeth. The tooth fairy is an effective way of improving their child’s oral health.
Parents were asked why they introduced their children to the tooth fairy. The most common responses were giving the child something to be excited about, celebrate something fun, and making their child feel special [3].
Interestingly, statistics show that the average monetary gift from the tooth fairy was $4.70USD in 2020, equivalent to $5.90CAD [4]. This figure has more than doubled in the last decade!
What parents can do
Parents have an important role to play in their child’s oral health. Providing a balanced diet, limiting sugar intake, and encouraging them to brush their teeth is very important.
Brushing teeth together, attending dental appointments, and telling children from an early age about the tooth fairy are other things that can help. Some say that the tooth fairy is watching their child to ensure they brush their teeth properly.
What we can offer at Savanna Dental
At Savanna Dental, we provide our patients with many different services and treatments. We ensure that our patients receive a comfortable and caring experience when visiting us.
Our dental clinic is based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. We offer services like regular check-ups, cavity fillings, dentures, root canals, and some cosmetic services such as tooth whitening.
It is very important for dental problems to be addressed early. They can be identified at check-ups. This helps to prevent the problem getting more severe.
If further treatment is needed after a routine check-up, we provide our patients with a clear treatment plan.
Our Calgary-based dental practice Savanna Dental also follows the Alberta Dental Fee Guide, which means our prices are competitive, transparent, and affordable.
The best way of avoiding extra treatment is to have strong oral hygiene. This includes brushing our teeth at least twice a day, flossing regularly, and getting a dental check-up at least twice a year. Avoiding sugary foods and drink and not smoking also helps.
If you ever need any dental advice, our team at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental will be happy to assist. This can include advice on treating bad breath, reviewing how your diet affects your oral health, and any other dentistry-related guidance.
Summary
The tooth fairy is definitely something that has a positive impact on children. By instilling good oral hygiene at a young age, a child will grow up knowing the importance of their oral health. This can continue into adulthood.
We hope that you visit our Calgary-based dental clinic soon! You can see more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca. We hope to see you soon!
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