We’ve all heard of the tooth fairy.

He or she comes to visit when a child loses a tooth.

We place the tooth under our pillow at night and wait for a special gift to appear.

Many children claim they’ve gotten money, letters, sugar-free candy or even small trinkets.

Have you ever been visited by the tooth fairy?

How did you lose that tooth?

While we love for the fairies to come visit, we still must take care of our teeth.

Here are some tips to look out for and proper ways to handle them if they occur.

• Brush and floss thoroughly to prevent cavities, especially if you have a heavy sugar diet. The plaque left on your teeth has acid which eats away enamel.

• Tooth sensitivity is caused by several factors: decay, new erupted teeth, acid erosion, enamel wear, teeth grinding, cracked or missing filling, and orthodontic treatment. Make an appointment right away with your dentist to find the cause.

• Dental emergencies-kids play around and sometimes knock a tooth out. If this happens, place tooth in a glass of milk with saline solution and water. A dentist may just be able to put the permanent tooth back in and allow it to re-attach with the help of a retainer. When playing sports, get a custom fitted mouth guard to prevent sports-related injuries.

• Gingivitis and gum disease can occur in pediatric dental patients. This can be red, swollengums and gums that bleed when brushing or flossing. Brush and floss daily, and use a fluoride mouthwash.

Your child may have some anxiety about tooth removal pain and going to a dentist. Find a pediatric dentistry with the experience to handle anxiety situations. This will help with the process of getting that tooth out for the tooth fairy tonight!