After slurping popsicles all summer, and with Halloween candy feasts right around the corner, August is a perfect time to promote dental health. And what better way to do so than with a pearly white party for the Tooth Fairy! She puts in a lot of hard work throughout the year, fluttering from house to house, collecting and storing teeth, and generously giving gifts. So on August 22, take a moment – or the whole day – to honor her. It’s a fun and festive way to learn more about our favorite fairy and remember good dental habits. Here are a few ways you can celebrate with your kids:
Learn the Tooth Fairy’s history
The Tooth Fairy hasn’t always been the tiny, shining sprite we know and love. In fact, she’s taken several forms over the centuries. Turn her biography into a storytelling session, where you trace her origins up to modern-day. Your kids will love seeing how the beloved figure came to be. You can even use it as an opportunity to talk about the evolution of dental hygiene and why it’s important.
Watch a Tooth Fairy-Themed Movie
She’s graced the big screen several times, once as a bubbly hummingbird, once as Dwayne “The Rock” Johson, and another time as a disillusioned dentist. Movies like Rise of the Guardians, The Tooth Fairy, and Toothless present her in unique, hilarious, heartwarming ways. Put one on and you’re guaranteed an evening of laughs with your kids. Just make sure that you munch on tooth-friendly snacks like fruits and veggies instead of traditional movie-going enamel busters like popcorn and candy.
Do a Tooth Fairy-Themed Art Project
Break out the markers, glitter, and glue, and let your kids’ imaginations run wild as they create their versions of the Tooth Fairy. Maybe she’s a silver-and-gold princess, complete with crown and scepter. Or she might be a covert agent somersaulting into bedrooms, stealthily grabbing teeth and leaving gifts without drawing attention. However they see her, this is a great way to get creative, get messy, and bring the Tooth Fairy to life.
Write the Tooth Fairy a Letter
After long nights collecting teeth, there’s nothing the Tooth Fairy loves more than kicking back with a healthy snack and reading letters from her admirers. Whether your child has questions for the Tooth Fairy or just wants to say thanks, it’s fun writing to a magical pen pal. We have a pretty good rapport with the Tooth Fairy, so we can make sure she sees it. And who knows? Maybe she’ll respond.
Read a Tooth Fairy Book
Plop down on the couch, huddle together, and dive into a book featuring the Tooth Fairy. There are plenty of great options that will spark your child’s imagination and teach him or her about good dental habits. Some of our favorites include:
- The Night Before The Tooth Fairy – Natasha Wing
- The Berenstain Bears and the Tooth Fairy – Jan Berenstain
- My Tooth is About to Fall Out – Grace Maccarone
- Loose Tooth – Lola M. Schaefer
- Pete the Cat and the Lost Tooth – James Dean
- The Tooth Fairy (Peppa Pig) – Scholastic
- The Tooth Fairy Kit – Robin Cruise
- Fancy Nancy and the Too-Loose Tooth – Jane O’Connor
Practice a Dental Routine Together
This is what the Tooth Fairy is all about – taking care of our teeth. She’s a great reminder for both kids and adults to brush and floss regularly, keeping our smiles shining and mouths healthy. Take the opportunity to explain how each important part of the routine fortifies teeth and makes the Tooth Fairy happy.
Of course, National Tooth Fairy Day isn’t the only day you can celebrate our cherished pixie friend. Tooth collecting, like dental health, is a year-round job. Even after the holiday has passed, you can continue to teach your kids about tooth-friendly habits while you eagerly await her return. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for new, fun ways to get excited about the Tooth Fairy.