Dr. Pinto’s Tooth Fairy Hack:
Make the Tooth Fairy Your Ally and Partner in Crime

As a mom of four girls, the Tooth Fairy is almost a regular visitor at our home. My husband Peter had an ingenious idea to make this magical being more than just a money-exchanger for lost teeth. When our oldest, Francesca, began losing teeth and struggling with reading at the same time, Peter had an idea, “Why not enlist the Tooth Fairy’s help?”
The timing was perfect. Homework was turning into a daily battle of wits between my husband and Francesca and he didn’t feel like he was gaining ground, so after Francesca lost her first tooth, Peter came to me with a note he had cut into the shape of a tooth that read: “Francesca, congrats on losing your first tooth, I’m really excited to be your tooth fairy. I heard you’ve been having some trouble with reading and wanted to let you know that I had the same problem when I was in fairy school. Luckily I kept trying and reading became fun and easy, so don’t give up. I know your birthday is coming up in a week, keep an eye out, because I have a special gift coming for you. Your friend, T.F.”
The note along with a few dollars had an immediate impact. Francesca tackled her homework with gusto and even received her Tooth Fairy’s favorite book for her birthday, which she devoured eagerly. Now, the Tooth Fairy is a pen pal offering life advice, and our younger girls are eager to start losing teeth and meet their own Tooth Fairy pen pal.
This tradition has sprinkled extra magic into our kids’ lives and offered them extra encouragement to always do their best. I hope sharing this has given you ideas to introduce a little extra magic into your child’s life.
Keep Smiling,
Dr. Yenile Pinto

