There is no shortage of childhood fantasy figures that parents are expected to keep up on. Santa Claus, Easter Bunny and yes the Tooth Fairy! So lets look into the history of the Tooth Fairy and see when and who decided that children needed just one more character!
The tooth fairy, as Americans know her, is actually not that old. The first written mention of her appeared in 1927 in a children’s playlet written by Esther Arnold Watkins. Since then she has been the motherly creature of good will; a tiny thing that flies around sprinkling fairy dust, collecting the teeth of tiny tots and leaving them a reward in return! It is not surprising that many cultures around the world have very interesting thoughts on the importance of a child’s first teeth and what is to be done as they come out to be replaced with the adult teeth.
There are written records from the Eddas, of the Norse people that had a tradition called tand-fe meaning tooth fee that paid the child for the loss of the first tooth. During the middle ages in England, children were instructed to burn their baby teeth to keep from having any hardships in the afterlife. In medieval Europe if witches were to get a hold of your baby teeth, it would give them power over you. Just about every culture has some type of superstition or tale attached to the loss of baby teeth, so with America being a melting pot of so many cultures it is not surprising that some of the traditions have influenced us directly.
True story, in the 1970’s a Chicago DJ happened to mention the tooth fairy on the air and the American Dental Association was flooded with calls wanting more information about her! She has become so associated with children that there are studies done to help parents with a guideline on what the going rate is for a tooth fairy visit! Currently according to a study done by Visa, Inc the average amount paid to a child for a tooth is $3.70! So for all that are new to the parenting of little ones, there is help out there. Websites full of ideas on custom made tooth fairy pillows, notes and all sorts of ideas to make your little ones experience of losing baby teeth a positive one!
As we all know having a healthy baby is a daily job! It actually starts long before that Bundle of Joy is placed in your arms! Pregnancy is a critical period in the development of a healthy baby and so prenatal care and taking good care of yourself are very important. Once that little bundle is here, it is now your job to parent! Wow, what a huge responsibility; one that includes countless tasks, including caring for the newborn’s baby gums and teeth. But they are only baby teeth and will start falling out by the time they start school, right? Wrong; baby teeth play an important role in the development of speech, eating, holding appropriate space for the adult teeth and then most importantly, that goofy little smile that lightens even the most frazzled days! What is cuter that those first two bottom teeth and the sparkle they add to that little giggle!
Ok, down to business: when do I start brushing my baby’s teeth? NOW! Even though there are no teeth, the mouth can harbor bacteria, so most pediatricians will tell new moms to use a soft cloth or gauze around their finger to gently cleanse the gums twice a day. Sounds crazy? Well I can tell you that should you ever have the need for a NICU (neonatal intensive care unit), the nurses do this as part of their routine and loving care. As any parent knows, children are very observant and delight in copying mom or dad in all they do! By the time those first teeth come in, help the baby to brush his little pearls when you do. They love to do what you do! There is no need for tooth paste, but if he/she insists, use non-fluoride and only a tiny amount! Until about age 3 to 5 (average) you will need to help with brushing ALL those little teeth, but allow them to do as much as they can with fun prompts and encouragement.
How to pick a tooth brush:
Soft brush
Small head (for that small mouth)
Large handle (easier for baby to manage)
Most pediatricians encourage the first dental visit at about one year. It is important to introduce the children’s dentist to the child in a positive way. Smile Reef’s kids dental offices in Las Vegas can be very helpful for an array of possible concerns. Come on in for a little meet-n-greet that can include education on:
Some babies take a bottle or a sippy cup to get to sleep until two or even three years old; it is important to understand that putting anything except water in that bottle is not a good choice. Some pediatricians are OK with breast milk or formula in a bottle for the very young, under 12 months. Milk and juices have sugars that will aid in the development of cavities! The saddest face to look at is a wee one with a tooth ache!
The development of good habits is the start of a happy and healthy smile! As any parent knows, coming up with silly games to take advantage of each teaching moment is at times a challenge. With dental care, Smile Reef can help you with some fun ways to keep that smile a happy one!
Las Vegas Children's Dentist
Most parents and guardians of little children, if not all, are greatly concerned about the growth and development of children's teeth especially in this day and age where almost any food available in groceries and restaurants are loaded with sugar and or sucrose which greatly contribute to the formation of cavities, eventually resulting to tooth decay. From the time that the first set of baby teeth comes out, pediatric dentists would already heavily advise parents to start a religious and proper care routine of their children's teeth to ensure that the proper development of these important part of a child's mouth are done with the right techniques and required consistency. Caring for baby and children's teeth takes a lot of effort since children are not expected to care for their own set due to their limitations in capacity and information. That is why until children reach the stage where they are capable to care for their own teeth comes, the weight of the call rests on the shoulders of the parents. It is for this reason that proper oral care for children begins with choosing the right dental office which houses the best pediatric dentists who will be the partner of parents in ensuring that their children's oral care are safeguarded. Las Vegas Children's Dentist is a dynamic and vibrant supporter in the campaign against early onset of tooth decay in children's teeth. Certified and competent, this Dentist for kids in Las Vegas, very carefully and thoroughly instruct and teach good oral care to parents and children. This dentist follows the best practices in worldwide standards and features state of the art dental equipment that allows not only for the best oral care of each patient but also creating an environment that is friendly and accommodating to kids and children who frequent this pediatric dentist office in Las Vegas.
To begin early oral care for babies, a competent and friendly Las Vegas dentist from a reputable pediatric dentist office will advise that even before the eruption of the teeth, a child's mouth and gums should be wiped after meals with a clean, soft damp cloth to make sure that excess food would not linger in the mouth. These excess foods when left in a moist area like the mouth would form bacteria which would eventually get lodged in the baby's first set of teeth triggering the beginning of tooth decay. A meticulous and caring kids dentist in Las Vegas would also advise that to prevent the onset of pre-mature cavities, it is best to give babies plain water when sipping at bedtime to prevent baby formula - which sometimes contain sugar - from settling in the mouth which also invites cavity formation. Once the first set of baby teeth comes out, the practice of brushing should also commence, normally beginning with soft bristled baby toothbrush combined with a non-fluoride toothpaste or even just plain warm water to gently clean every part of the emerging teeth. A licensed Las Vegas children's dentist is a strong support in making sure that these early oral care regimens are done by the parents regularly to avoid unnecessary formation of tooth decay that could prove to be costly to take away using dental procedures. Children's dentist in Las Vegas recommends that children's toothbrushes should be replaced every two to three months taking special note of the appearance of the head bristles to make sure that they still serve their purpose of thoroughly cleaning the teeth. There are several pediatric dentist in Las Vegas so one must be very careful to choose the best, and the best pediatric dental clinic must not only be concerned about treatment but more so on prevention methods. So far Las Vegas pediatric dentistry is a cut above all other pediatric clinics because of its practices on preventative measures that do away with costly teeth drilling and fillings.
Children develop their baby teeth as preparatory ground for the eruption of the final adult teeth which they would use for the rest of their lives. Many parents feel that since baby teeth would still be replaced, they could be more relaxed in spearheading for their children's oral care. But this is very far from the truth since the condition and health of the baby teeth would also greatly determine the condition and health of the permanent teeth. Parents are advised that the first visit of their children to the dentist should happen when babies are 12 months old and prior coaching such as open your mouth or saying 'ahhh' must be done to avoid too much time on the dental chair which might be very scary for some kids. Dental patients could rest assured that reputable pediatric dentist in Las Vegas would be more concerned with prevention but would also be very competent when treatment is necessary. A parent could expect that a children's dentist in Las Vegas is well trained in handling children especially the first timers who might have reservations in seeing a dentist for the first time let alone open their mouth for a stranger. But the first visits to the dentist are crucial because those are the times when good oral plan is discussed aside from giving out the message to the children that dentists are friends not enemies to increase their trust and confidence with them. A well trained dentist for kids in Las Vegas would also discuss the availability of important pediatric care such as the application of fluoride and sealants that help protect baby teeth from plaque and cavities. The substance fluoride help make the teeth stronger by protecting them from the initiation of dental caries and tooth decay while at the same time re-mineralizing areas of the teeth that get weakened by acid coming from leftover food or juices which the children consume.
Las Vegas pediatric dentistry is known as one of the best pediatric dentistry all over the United States which practices not only the best dental techniques using state of the art equipment, a Las Vegas dentist also has the best techniques and rapport with children patients giving them a wonderful experience inside the clinic that helps ensure repeat comebacks for consistent and thorough oral care. Las Vegas pediatric patients could expect that as they step inside a Las Vegas pediatric dentist office they would experience the best pre and post care evaluations not to mention above standard procedures including the application of necessary treatments that are non-threatening, very friendly and truly professional. Las Vegas pediatric dentistry is unchallenged when it comes to everything that makes oral care for children fantastic and something to look forward to and having children as clients that speaks highly of the credibility and expertise that a kids dentist in Las Vegas has to showcase and bring to the table. So next time you are in great need of an expert in oral care for you and especially for your young children - including those cute toddlers- consider pediatric dentistry in Las Vegas and you might not go anywhere else after trying its services. With the rising cost of dental care each year, wouldn't you want every dime you spent on it to be truly worth it? And wouldn't you want to see those beautiful and sparkly teeth on your children as they flash you their beautiful smiles? All of these and more could be yours by just visiting a reputable Las Vegas pediatric dental clinic. Check your directory for assistance or better yet take the word of our loyal customers who have given their generous testimonials of how happy and satisfied they are with our services. We assure you that you will have the best oral care on our hands and we will ensure that your children's teeth are not only taken cared of, they will also pass on the legacy of consistent and excellent oral care with their children and their children's children.
The Las Vegas Dentist Office
One of the best kid friendly dental offices you will find in the state of Nevada is the Las Vegas Pediatric Dentist Office. It's got the best ways and practices of making sure pediatric patients are well taken cared of and assured of warm, non-threatening dental procedures that help them ease up and become comfortable in this environment. Many parents regard a beautiful pediatric dental experience as part of the success why children stick to proper oral acre and why they regards a dental visit as an exciting adventure rather than a traumatic one. The Las Vegas pediatric dentistry is one of the top pediatric dental practices not only in the whole State but could also be compared, if not above, other dental pediatric practices in the United States. Parents coming from other nearby States bring their children to experience pediatric dentistry in Las Vegas because of its very popular kid-friendly atmosphere that children would sometimes forget they are inside a dental office. Parents love that their children are having a great time while having their excellent oral check up or procedures and children enjoy because it's like going to the zoo or the park where the environment is fun and lively and not scary at all. From themed rooms with matching themed cups and bibs, the pediatric dentist office in Las Vegas is a must see and must experience for all children. The pediatric dentists are well trained and well equipped to handle pediatric patients but the thing that endears all of them to their kid patients is the way they make cleaning teeth an exciting and fun thing to do rather than a boring chore that must be done regularly. And if dental procedures are needed such as drillings and putting of sealants, the expertise of a Las Vegas Dentist would surpass everyone's expectations including adults and parents who often have had traumatic experiences inside a dental office. So come now and visit us and see and feel the difference or better yet let your children tell you the difference with their exciting dental experience Truly it is like not going to the dentists at all!
