7 answers

Daughter Upset About Loosing Teeth

Help! My seven year old daughter has been a complete wreck since loosing her first tooth two weeks ago!!! She won't eat, brush her teeth, or smile, and will only talk if absolutely necessary, but purses her lips together so that no one can see that she has lost a tooth. She doesn't really want to play, just mopes around the house. She has spent hours crying. She lost another tooth this week, and we went through the same drama. Clearly, she is not herself and is depressed over this. She tells us that she doesn't want to look ridiculous like all of her friends have looked ridiculous. We have shown her pictures of when I was young and that I was missing teeth, and that they eventually grow back, but that has not helped. Anyone out there with a similar sensitive child? My husband and I are going crazy. Is this going to pass, or do we get an appointment with a psychologist?

What can I do next?

More Answers

tell her about the "tooth fairy" she will be excited to lose teeth i know my daughter was

I had to laugh a little when I read your post, I know it isn't funny but it reminded me of one of my little girls, it had nothing to do with teeth, but my two oldest DD's were arguing when the oldest was like "well I'm older then you" and DD#2 said "so your still not my boss" DD#1 "Yeah well you have only been alive for 5 years, so I am your boss" and the next thing we knew DD#2 was crying hysterically cause she had only been alive for 5 years.

Not the same but similar, I agree with everyone before, don't play into, remind her that it is ok, everyone has to loose their baby teeth, and maybe have her see a dentist so he can explain it to her, no child this age should be wrapped up in how they look, I think you are handling it pretty good, and they all go through the awkward stages, but they also all grow out of it. Good luck!

I think kids all go through phases where they feel ugly or akward...I know I went through several! I'm wondering if a special pamper day wouldn't help her to see the beauty inside her and what a wonderful young lady she is. Pedicures and get her hair done, you could go to a beauty school and it wouldn't cost much that way. Or if finances allow, go to the spa for it. Call ahead and let the people who will be doing the services know what is going on, and NOT to mention your daughters teeth. They can tell her what a beautiful smile she has, or other attributes about her. take her to lunch or dinner and then present her with a letter or poem from you that tells her of the things you love and admire about her. That looks are only one small part of what a wonderful person she is. Perhaps she will open up to you more about why she feels so insecure. even if she doesn't though helping her to see her inner beauty, and to appreciate all of the aspects of her outer beauty can help her to realize that she isn't summed up by one part of her body, that her teeth are just one part of the wonderful beautiful young lady she is growing up to be.

have you tried the tooth fairy idea

You most likely won't like my response but I will give it anyway. I believe in being honest with children. The fact is that she most likely does look silly and she hates it. I would too if I lost one of my teeth. I don't beleive that lying to the child is going to build her trust to believe in what you tell her in the long run. I told my 8yr old that he looked silly, but everyone has to go through it to get their adult teeth. I explained that it is part of life that everyone has to go through and having a bad attitude about it just makes the whole ordeal worse on them. I also explained that if they didn't lose their teeth they would look extremely silly when they got older and it also makes their teeth come in crooked. He wasn't thrilled, but he understood and got over it in a couple days.

Hi A.,
Your little girl was obviously not prepared for this event. Losing a tooth does hurt, there is blood it feels really creepy and then you look different. How scarey for a liitle one!!! What your daughter needs is to feel normal again and to know that having a missing tooth is just a new normal.
Does the Tooth Fairy visit your house? The tooth fairy could write a letter or leave a special book to help your daughter understand what a special time this is. Even if the tooth has been gone a while the tooth fairy could just say that she saw what a hard time your daughter was having and needed to tell her something. This really helped my nephew who reacted just as your daughter is. He was so excited to get his letter from the tooth fairy.
You might also want to try setting out pictures of other family memebers and friends with missing teeth. Don't draw attention to them just put them out. Try to normalize this whole issue for your daughter. Stay calm when the power struggles come and don't buy into it. When she refuses to brush her teeth just calmly say, "I know it feels weird, everybody loses their teeth, and not brushing your teeth is not an option. I will stand with you while you do it." And if you stick to your guns once, no matter how long it takes her to brush her teeth, then she will know you are serious and that should help in the future.
Every time my children lose a tooth we have "tooth cake". I would just bake a cake, or cupcakes and let them frost it and add sprinkles etc. This helped the event to be less traumatic and a real celebration instead.
Hang in there!!! Take care,
B.

so do we believe in the tooth fairy. i believe that when we are children these little make believe things make childhood so much more enjoyable. you know something to look foward to. christmas--easter --the great pumpkin --st valentine--and of course tooth fairy!!

on one hand it is silly but what a special time. maybe the toothfairy could write her a letter with a special little something add a liilt fairy dust(glitter) and feathers and hopefully she will let it go.
i give my 4 kids a two dollar bill

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