What do you do when your child starts showing off his wiggling tooth? Don’t even think about ignoring it! Your little one already knows about the money, the gifts and the Tooth Fairy, thanks to his friends and the popular film Rise of the Guardians.

As a child, you may have received a quarter for your first tooth and NOTHING for any of the other teeth that dropped thereafter. Be warned, parents, this nonchalant approach to losing baby teeth might not work anymore!

So, what is the going rate for a baby tooth? Get the latest stats from the Delta Dental Original Tooth Fairy Poll.  The average seems to change every year, but we do know that she usually brings more for the first tooth.

If pocketbooks are tight this year, try other prizes like toys, sugarless gum and other gifts under their pillows in lieu of cash.

Whatever the Tooth Fairy leaves, use this occasion to reinforce the need for daily brushing and flossing, and the right techniques for both. And yes, do leave a healthy snack on the bedside table. The Tooth Fairy may be hungry! 🙂