GUIDE
My daughter just lost her first tooth. How do I make the tooth fairy's first visit special, and where do we keep the tooth so we don't lose it?
By the seenow! teamLast updated:
Make the first visit different from the rest: a tiny note, a golden dollar coin or a $2 bill instead of ordinary change, and a labeled envelope that "comes back" with the date. Then move the tooth into one small container kept with her keepsakes, not in a drawer.
WHY
Why this happens
The first lost tooth usually happens at a random moment, at dinner, in the car, at school, and suddenly the tooth fairy has to show up tonight. Most families agree the first visit should feel a little bigger than the ones that follow. But with a few hours' notice, it is easy to end up with whatever bills are in your wallet and a tooth that disappears into a junk drawer by the weekend.
The second question is what to do with the tooth itself. Kids often want to keep the first one, or at least see it again, and parents want to save it without collecting a jar of mystery teeth that nobody can tell apart. The answer is a simple system set up on night one, before there are twenty teeth to keep track of.
| Option | Why it stands out |
|---|---|
| $2 bill | Jefferson on the front, the signing of the Declaration of Independence on the back. Still valid at full face value. |
| Native American $1 coin | Golden color; the back design changes every year, so the coin can match the year of the tooth. |
| American Innovation $1 coin | Four new back designs a year honoring inventions from states, territories and D.C. Look for your own state. |
Source: U.S. Currency Education Program: $2 Note / U.S. Mint for Kids: Dollar
HOW TO
What you can do starting today
Pick a "first tooth only" gift, and keep it the same for siblingsNo app needed
Choose something that will not show up again with later teeth. A $2 bill or a golden dollar coin works well, because kids rarely see them. The U.S. Mint says that since 2012 it makes most dollars for collecting, so you may not get them in your change; ask your bank or keep a few at home for the next child. All U.S. currency issued since 1861 remains valid at full face value, so an older $2 bill is fine too. Whatever you decide, write it down, because a younger sibling will ask what the big sister got.
Source: U.S. Currency Education Program: $2 Note / U.S. Mint for Kids: Dollar
Leave a tiny note from the tooth fairyNo app needed
A note the size of a sticky note, in small handwriting or a fancy font, makes the visit feel real. Mention something only she would know, such as where she lost the tooth or how brave she was, and the date. Kids keep these notes much longer than the money, so it becomes part of the keepsake.
Let the tooth "come back" in a labeled envelopeNo app needed
Some kids want the tooth fairy to take the tooth; some want to keep it. Many families do both: the tooth fairy "borrows" it for the night and returns it in a small envelope with her name, the date and "Tooth 1." Use a tooth pillow or a small pouch under the pillow, so the tooth is easy to find at midnight.
Give every tooth the same homeNo app needed
Choose one small container with a lid and label each envelope or compartment by tooth number and date. Keep it with her other keepsakes, such as the hospital bracelet or first drawing, rather than in a bathroom drawer. One container on night one prevents a pile of loose, unlabeled teeth later.
WITH SEENOW!
Doing it with seenow!
seenow! is a family app where everyone shares a short daily video, about 2 seconds, in a private group. It works well for the gap-toothed grin.
- The seenow! camera records with the front and back cameras at once, so one clip can show her new smile and the tooth in her hand. Grandparents get a notification when you post, and only the family members you invited can see it.
What seenow! can’t do
- Only clips taken with the seenow! camera can be posted, so a photo you already took on your phone cannot be added.
- seenow! does not keep track of which tooth was lost when. Write the date on the envelope.
Core features are free.
POINT
Things to watch for in this situation
Have a plan for the forgotten night
Tooth fairies sometimes forget. Keep a short "I came by, but you were still awake" note ready, and leave the gift the next night with no fuss.
Keep classmates in mind
Kids compare at school. A special first-tooth gift is fine, but for the teeth after that, a modest and steady amount avoids awkward comparisons in the classroom.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Should the tooth fairy give more for the first tooth?
Many families make the first visit special with a note or an unusual gift, such as a $2 bill or a golden dollar coin, and then keep later teeth smaller and steady. There is no standard amount; what matters is being consistent among siblings.
Where can I get $2 bills or dollar coins for the tooth fairy?
The U.S. Mint says that since 2012 it makes most dollars for collecting, so they are uncommon in change. Ask at your bank, and keep a few at home so you are ready the night a tooth comes out.
What should I do with my child's baby teeth?
Pick one small container with a lid, label each tooth with its number and date, and store it with other keepsakes. Some families let the tooth fairy take the teeth; either choice is fine.
Is a $2 bill still real money?
Yes. The U.S. Currency Education Program says all U.S. currency issued since 1861 remains valid and redeemable at full face value, and it listed 1.2 billion $2 notes in circulation in 2017.