How the Tooth fairy can help

It is very important to inculcate health oral hygiene habits in children from a young age. But kids, well most kids, don't like brushing or flossing. That's where the tooth fairy comes to the rescue. Children are easy to mold if you have mythical friends like the Tooth Fairy and Santa Claus. They are a fun way to inculcate good habits in your children.

Kids love tooth fairies because they leave a dollar under their pillows and bring them small gifts. This tradition can also be used to reinforce or cultivate good oral care habits in your child. Take this opportunity to train your little champ to take care of their teeth.

Tell the story – Pick a good time and tell the story of the tooth fairy to your child. You can use good story books or watch the movie Rise of the Guardians with them or any other tooth fairy movie you prefer. Tell them all about the tooth fairy before the age of 6. Get them all excited about the tooth fairy. Bring them tooth fairy goodies like pillows with tooth pockets, or tooth brushes with tooth fairy cartoons on it.

Reinforce good habits – Tell them often that tooth fairy likes perfect teeth only. She wouldn't take teeth with cavities. Motivate you child to brush their teeth twice a day, once in morning and once before bedtime. Children imitate what they see. So, you too should practice good oral hygiene and they will gladly copy you.

Appropriate gifts – Though it is a tradition that tooth fairy leaves a dollar under the pillow in exchange for tooth. You can change it a little and leave a new fancy tooth brush or their favorite flavored tooth paste under the pillow. You can write a cute little note telling about good oral habits. Use colorful glitter pens and cute drawings to make it interesting. And if you want to stick to the tradition of leaving a dollar, you can leave both a dollar and the toothbrush.

Buy appropriate books – Give them colorful books that can teach them about advantages of healthy teeth. Don't use scaring techniques, always use positive reinforcements. Don't give them dentist scares saying if you don't brush your teeth you will have to go to the dentist. Instead, buy them a new book or a toy every time they go to the dentist. Tell them that going to the dentist is a good thing and it will make the tooth fairy happy.

It is important that your child visits a dentist twice every year to make sure their teeth are in great shape. And that is why it is important to not instill fear of a dentist in children. Take help from tooth fairy's notes to come over this fear if your child is afraid of dentist.

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