Have you ever tried to remember what it was like when you lost your first tooth? Unless you have an incredible memory, most of us can’t recall how we felt when a tooth first got wiggly and then fell out. Our parents might remember, but most likely they only recall the milestone if we had a particularly good – or particularly bad – reaction to it. This thought led us to the question: Does losing a tooth for the first time scare most kids?
A recent study out of the University of Zurich has determined that most children have overall positive feelings associated with the loss of their first tooth. These feelings show a correlation between visits to the dentist prior to losing the tooth and even the education and background of their parents. The study further revealed:
- There were 1,300 responses received.
- 80 percent of parents reported positive feelings from their children in regards to the first lost tooth.
- Children whose tooth was loose for a longer period of time were more likely to associate positive feelings with the experience.
- Children who had dental visits prior to the lost tooth due to cavities were more likely to have negative experiences surrounding the loss of the first tooth.
- Children whose parents possessed a higher level of education were more likely to have positive feelings about losing their tooth.
- Children whose parents came from non-Western countries were also more likely to have a positive experience.
The findings of this study were very interesting to our team, and we hope they were to you too! One of the biggest takeaways from the research was that children who had cavities prior to a lost tooth were less likely to have a positive experience. Cavities are almost entirely preventable, and visiting the dentist regularly for cleanings and exams is one of the most important things you can do to help protect your children’s teeth.
Call us today to set up an appointment at 970-221-5115.
Contact The Fort Collins Dentist Family & Implant Dentistry:
970-221-5115
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
2001 S Shields St Bldg L
Fort Collins, Colorado
80526