How to Comfort Your Child When They Start Losing Their Baby Teeth

Many children start to lose their baby teeth around age 6, though for some, the process can start even earlier. Some kids are excited when they notice that their teeth are starting to wiggle; they are happy to see a sign that they are growing up! Other young ones, though, might be alarmed or even frightened. If that is true of your child, what can you do to comfort them? Here are some tips from an experienced kids’ dentist that might prove to be helpful:

Explain Why It Happens

Losing teeth is a new experience for your child, so they might be confused. To help them through the situation, you can simply explain why their baby teeth are coming out. It is a natural process that makes way for their incoming permanent teeth. You can help your child look forward to seeing their “grown up teeth.”

Offer Physical Comfort

When a baby tooth comes out, a bit of bleeding and discomfort are normal. You can encourage your child to swish with warm salt water to ease any swelling and pain. Giving them something cold to drink may also be helpful. Additionally, you could offer soft foods for a day or two.

Validate Your Child’s Feelings

Out of a desire to provide comfort, some parents offer the wrong kind of reassurance to their children. They may frequently repeat blanket phrases like “It’s okay” or “you’re all right.” For many kids, such words do little to ease their fears. They might even subconsciously feel like their emotions are not being validated.

Often, it is best to acknowledge the validity of your child’s feelings and then help them cope with their fear. Let them fully express themselves before you offer advice and information to help them navigate the situation.

Celebrate the Milestone

The loss of a baby tooth — especially the first one — can feel like a big deal. Your child might be nervous, and you might be emotional because your little baby is growing more quickly than you imagined. To take the edge off of any negative feelings, find a way to celebrate the occasion. For example, you might take your child out for some ice cream or buy another special treat for them.

Many families also choose to have fun with the legend of the tooth fairy. A bit of extra spending money could do much to help your child forget about their anxiety.

If in Doubt, Seek Help

In most cases, the loss of baby teeth is both natural and normal. However, if your child loses a tooth as a result of an injury or is complaining of intense pain, it would be best to schedule an emergency dental appointment for them. The dentist can provide necessary treatment and let you know if there is any cause for concern with regard to your child’s oral health.

Losing baby teeth can be both exciting and a bit frightening! Use the tips in this article to make the experience as positive as possible for your little one.

Meet the Practice

The highly skilled team of pediatric dentists in our practice is eager to help young smiles establish the foundation for a lifetime of good oral health. If your child is starting the process of losing their baby teeth, or you have other questions related to their oral health, we would be pleased to speak with you. Contact our Grayslake office at 847-223-1400.