A Lost Tooth

[30 Minutes]

It's fun to record losing a tooth; don't forget to photograph your child's jack o-lantern grin.

You'll need:

• white paper plate • scissors • paper • marker or crayon

What to do:

1. Invite your child to make a face with a large grin on a white paper plate.
2. Cut a 1-1/2 inch slot where one missing tooth is.
3. Cut a 3 inch-long triangular strip of paper: 1 inch at one end to 1-1/2 inches at the other.
4. Place the 1-inch end of the strip through the slot, so it looks like a baby tooth. Pull it out.
5. Now show your child how to make the 1-1/2 inch end "grow" into place.
6. Talk with her about the care of loose teeth--how to eat and brush--and about what happens as a new tooth grows in.

Let's Talk: Ideas to Explore Together.

• Do you brush your teeth every day? How many times?
• Why is it important to brush your teeth?

Useful information:

While you are having fun together, your child is learning about dental hygiene.