How to write a letter from the Tooth Fairy

Losing milk teeth can be scary for children. Maybe that’s why adults came up with the Tooth Fairy: it makes the prospect of losing a tooth exciting instead.

Traditionally, the tooth fairy has left money under children’s pillows in exchange for their teeth. But instead of it all being about (costly!) rewards, you can also make good use of the loss of a tooth to remind your child about good tooth care. The tooth fairy is now leaving thank you notes!

What should a letter from the tooth fairy say?

In her letter, the tooth fairy might want to:

• Congratulate your child on looking after their tooth so well. This is a perfect time to remind your child of good dental hygiene. Saying that you have noticed they are clearly brushing twice a day and flossing might be a good reminder!
• Comment on how the tooth was lost. Children love this kind of personal touch, particularly if there is a funny story around it.
• Some insights into the life of the tooth fairy! It is such a magical idea so your child probably has many questions about the tooth fairy.

Answers to your children’s questions

Your children will have questions about the tooth fairy, and you can answer these questions in your letter from the Tooth Fairy.

In case your tooth fairy knowledge is a bit rusty, we have some ideas below for you. Obviously, as a fictional character, there is no correct answer, but it helps to pre-empt some of the likely questions!

• What happens to all the children’s teeth? This might be a tooth fairy secret. You could come up with some ideas with your child. Some rumours are that the teeth get used as bricks for the tooth fairy castle or that they get ground down to make fairy dust.
• Does just one fairy collect all of the teeth? This depends on what you have told your children in the past. If you decide there is only one fairy doing all of the tooth collecting, sign your letter The Tooth Fairy but if you decide there are lots of fairies all sharing the work, this can help explain why some children get a letter, some get money and some get both.
• How old Is the tooth fairy? The tooth fairy is thought to be over 100 years old. They were first mentioned in 1908 but fairies tend to be spritely and age slowly so who knows if fairy ages are the same as human years!

Final tips for writing a Tooth Fairy letter

Of course, you can make your letter as simple or as elaborate as you wish. Bear in mind you are setting a precedent for any other teeth and any other children in your household!

• Your child has lots of teeth so keep your letters short and avoid putting all of your ideas into your first letter!
• Remember to print your letter in a magical font or disguise your handwriting. Children are smart!
• Remember that a magical letter is likely to have a magical appearance. Glitter and stickers can give your letter that magical look.

Whatever approach you decide to take, you will make a visit from the tooth fairy a special one and a good opportunity to discuss dental hygiene.

Home remedies for tooth pain

Pain is the body’s way of telling us that something is wrong. If you have ever had a toothache, you will know that tooth pain is no fun at all. Always seek advice from a dental health professional if you are experiencing any pain but here are some handy tooth pain home remedies just in case you are unable to see a professional straight away.

Causes of tooth pain

Many things can cause tooth pain to strike.

• Teeth sensitivity. If the layer of hard tissue located under the tooth enamel gets exposed, this can make your teeth very sensitive to hot and cold liquids and sugary drinks. Recessed gums or worn down tooth enamel can expose this dentin.
• Cavities. Cavities are another main cause of tooth pain. If the sensitive nerves in your teeth are exposed, something as simple and frequent as biting something hard could be very painful.
• Cracked teeth. If you bite down on something too hard, you could crack a tooth, which can also be very painful. Trauma from an accident can also crack a tooth. In a severe enough case, the tender nerves that reside deep in your teeth could be exposed, resulting in pain.
• Loose fillings or crowns. Sometimes dental treatment to fix one issue can cause another problem. Fillings and crowns can sometimes become loose or cracked, resulting in tooth pain.

Options to relieve tooth pain at home

First of all, keep in mind that these remedies only provide short term relief and are not meant to be a substitute for seeing a dentist. Always see your dentist as soon as possible if you suffering from tooth pain. Your dentist will be able to get to the source of the problem and treat it for you.

But while you’re waiting to see your dentist, here are some home remedies you can try to reduce your tooth pain.

• Painkillers. Your first option to relieve a toothache will probably be over the counter pain relief, such as ibuprofen.
• Cold compress. s an ice pack or a cool, wet washcloth can help to relieve pain and swelling.
• Clove Oil. Clove oil relieves pain and reduces the swelling associated with toothache. Clove oil contains a natural aesthetic and acts as a temporary pain reliever. Soak up a few drops of clove oil in a cotton ball, then gently rub the cotton ball over the affected teeth and gums.
• Salt Water. Another option is to try rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater. Add a few teaspoons of salt to a cup of warm water. Swish the mixture around your mouth and then spit it out.
• Hydrogen Peroxide. In a similar way to saltwater, a hydrogen peroxide rinse can relieve pain and swelling in the mouth. It has also been found to kill bacteria, reduce plaque and heal bleeding gums. To prepare the solution, mix 3 per cent hydrogen peroxide with equal parts of water. Swish it around your mouth, but don’t swallow it.
• Peppermint Oil. Peppermint oil has been used to treat toothaches throughout history. It has antibacterial properties, making it a popular choice for those seeking short-term toothache relief until dental help is available. Use a cotton ball to apply a few drops of oil to the affected area.

Remember, these remedies are not are a long-term solution to your tooth pain. If you have tooth pain, then please see a dentist as soon as you can.

4 New Year’s resolutions for your teeth

The New Year is an excellent time to make a change. Many of New Year’s resolutions involve taking steps to improve our health and our happiness. So why not make a resolution this year to improve your oral care?

In this post, we’ll look at four resolutions that can improve the health of your teeth and gums.

1. Brush your teeth twice a day

If you’re not brushing your teeth twice a day, then now’s a good time to start. By brushing your teeth regularly with fluoride toothpaste, you can dramatically reduce your risk of cavities and gum disease.

Here’s a reminder of the best practices for your oral health routine:

• Brush gently for two minutes, twice a day
• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to protect your enamel
• Angle your toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to your gum line when brushing
• Use a toothpaste containing fluoride
• Clean between your teeth, either with floss or an alternative device
• Rinse your mouth after brushing with a mouthwash

Carrying out these oral care routines twice a day will improve your mouth’s health.

When you start making changes, try to notice the small differences you are noticing. If you start flossing, you will soon start noticing that your gums bleed less, are less sensitive and that you feel more confident in your smile.

Remember that consistency is key when trying to establish new habits. Don’t beat yourself up if you miss a floss, but instead try to do it regularly for the rest of the week.

2. Eat healthier

Your diet is also very important when keeping your mouth healthy. What you eat can easily turn into food for bacteria in your mouth and contribute to gum disease and cavities.

Try to follow some of these steps towards a healthier diet:

• Limit your intake of sugary or acidic foods and drinks
• Avoid snacking between meals wherever possible
• Rinse your mouth with water after meals or sugary drinks
• Try to eat lots of nutrient-dense foods such as fruit and vegetables

3. Get your dental problems fixed

A New Year’s resolution might also involve addressing any existing dental problems that you have been putting up with. Bite the bullet (so to speak!) and ask for advice on anything bothering you regarding your dental health. Have you been suffering from sensitive teeth? dry mouth? difficulty in brushing or flushing? seek advice from your dental professional to get you on track to great oral health.

4. Quit smoking

You know it really – smoking is not only bad for your overall health but your oral health too. Tobacco can stain your teeth and increase your risk of many dental problems. This could be the year you completely commit to quitting smoking altogether.

Conclusion

Making a New Year’s resolution to improve your health in any way is a great decision. Remember to be forgiving if you have any setbacks and allow yourself time for your new routines to solidify into habits. It will take time, but you can do it!

You are now equipped with the knowledge to make this the year you make drastic changes to improve your dental health.

Looking after your teeth as you get older

Good dental hygiene and oral care are important at any age, but as we age, we might notice changes in our oral health that pose new challenges. Your dentist will be able to fully support you with these, but it is good to know what to look out for.

What might change as we get older?

As with any other area of our bodies, as we get older, we might develop conditions that were not present when we were younger. We’ll address some of these conditions now.

1. Dry Mouth

Getting older in itself doesn’t necessarily make you more prone to dry mouth, however some of the other factors that come with ageing can.

Taking some regular medications, having a chronic health condition or having existing cavities or decay can increase your risk for developing dry mouth.

If you feel you may be suffering from this, speak to your dentist who can recommend some products to help.

2. Wear and tear

As the enamel on the teeth inevitably starts to wear down through many years of chewing food, ageing teeth can have a greater risk of developing cavities.

3. Disease

This ranges from oral cancer and less serious illnesses, such as oral thrush.

4. Gum disease

Plaque forming on teeth, resulting in gum disease is one of the major causes of tooth loss in adults. See your dentist if you suspect you have gum disease because the sooner you treat it the better.

5. Sensitive Teeth

You may notice that your teeth become more sensitive as you get older. This can be due to your gums naturally receding and whereby exposing areas of the tooth that are not protected by enamel.

Initially, you could try toothpaste for sensitive teeth but if the problem persists, speak to your dentist.

How to look after your teeth as you get older

The good news is that many of these dental problems above are easily identified, solved, or even prevented when you know what to look for.

Keeping your ageing teeth and gums in tip-top shape requires a few common-sense practices:

• Maintain regular dental visits: Even if you have dentures it is important to get your teeth and gums checked regularly.
• Brush and floss daily
• Use an antibacterial mouthwash
• Avoid tobacco: Tobacco in any form has been linked to an increased risk of mouth and throat cancer, not to mention heart disease and other serious conditions.
• Monitor your sugar intake make healthy choices to limit your sweets and fizzy drink consumption. It is also a good idea to brush shortly after snacking if you can.
• Calcium intake. Ensure you have low-fat dairy products in your diet to prevent osteoporosis, which can also affect the bone surrounding your teeth.

Does your arthritis make brushing or flossing difficult?

If arthritis or any other mobility issue can make brushing or flossing difficult or uncomfortable, speak to your dentist about dental aids that make brushing easier.