A social story for losing a tooth

When a baby tooth gets wiggly, it is getting ready to come out so a bigger tooth can grow in. It might bleed a little when it comes out. That is okay, and the gap fills in with a new tooth.

The story

Carol Gray's 10.2 criteria describe a story that shares accurate information in a patient, reassuring voice, often from the child's point of view (Social Stories 10.2 Criteria, accessed November 11, 2026). These lines are first person.

My Wiggly Tooth

One of my teeth feels loose. It moves when I touch it with my tongue.

Kids lose their baby teeth as they grow. It is a normal part of getting bigger.

A new grown-up tooth is pushing up under my baby tooth.

I can wiggle it gently with clean fingers or my tongue.

When the tooth comes out, there may be a little blood. My grown-up gives me a tissue to bite on.

There is a gap where my tooth was. My tongue might keep finding it.

I can still eat, but soft food may feel better for a day.

I keep brushing my teeth, gently near the gap.

My family has a special way to keep the tooth.

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Why the blood line matters

Many children are fine with a wiggly tooth until they see blood. Saying ahead of time that a little blood is normal, and that biting on a tissue stops it, keeps the moment calm.

When it isn't a wiggly tooth

This story is for a baby tooth that loosens on its own. If a tooth is knocked out or chipped in a fall, that is different. KidsHealth advises calling a dentist right away after a tooth injury, and notes that most dental injuries in preschool and school-age kids come from falls (Teeth Injuries: First Aid, accessed November 11, 2026).

Make it match your family

• Name what you do with the tooth: a small box, a pillow pouch, a jar, or a visit from a pretend tooth fairy.
• If your child is nervous about the gap in photos, add: "My smile looks different for a while. That is okay."
• If a dentist will pull the tooth, add a line about the visit.

Practice and reading

Read the story when the first tooth gets loose, then again each time. Let your child look in a mirror to see the new tooth coming up behind. A tooth fairy letter or a lost tooth chart gives the night a clear ending.

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FAQ

What if my child is scared to wiggle it?

That is okay. The tooth will come out on its own in time. Don't force it.

What if they swallow the tooth?

Usually it passes without problems. Add a line if your child worries about it.

Do I have to do the tooth fairy?

No. Use whatever your family does, and change the last line to match.