The first wobbly tooth announces itself with great ceremony. It's shown to grandparents, wiggled at dinner and inspected in every mirror in the house. For many children, it's the first visible sign that they're growing up, and they know it.

Many children lose their first tooth somewhere between five and seven, though some start earlier and some later, and timing varies a lot from child to child. If you're ever unsure, your dentist is the person to ask. Whenever it happens, it's a lovely milestone to mark well.

The wobbly weeks

A loose tooth can take days or weeks to come out. Most children wiggle it with their tongue or fingers, which is generally fine as long as hands are clean and nobody is forcing it. It's usually best to let the tooth come out on its own schedule rather than pulling it before it's ready.

Some children are thrilled by a wobbly tooth; others are nervous about it hurting. If yours is worried, explain that when a baby tooth is truly ready it usually comes out easily, and that a little bit of blood is normal and stops quickly. Biting gently on a clean cloth helps.

This is also a good time to talk about the Tooth Fairy, if that's a tradition in your house. Children who know what to expect tend to feel more excited than anxious when the moment finally arrives.

When it finally comes out

First teeth have a talent for falling out at inconvenient moments: during dinner, in the bath, halfway through a school day, into an apple. Wherever it happens, the most important job is keeping the tooth safe. A small envelope, a little pot with a lid or a folded tissue taped shut all work. Some schools send teeth home in a small envelope, so it's worth asking if yours does.

If the tooth comes out at school, a quick word with the teacher about sending it home safely saves a frantic backpack search later. A small labelled envelope tucked into the front pocket works well.

If the tooth goes missing entirely, don't panic. Swallowed teeth and teeth lost down drains are a recognised category at the Department of Teeth, which accepts a sworn affidavit in place of the tooth itself.

Making the first night special

The first visit sets the tone for every visit after it, so it's worth a little extra thought. A few ideas families love:

• A dedicated tooth envelope or pouch that's used for every tooth from now on.
• A letter from the Tooth Fairy celebrating the milestone, rather than a coin alone.
• A certificate with the date, marking this tooth as the first.
• A tiny trail of paper stars or footprints from the window to the pillow.
• A note praising your child's brushing, signed with a flourish.

Keepsakes worth keeping

Years later, the paperwork is often what families treasure most. A first lost tooth certificate, with the date printed on it, slips easily into a baby book or memory box. Some parents also keep a simple tooth log: which tooth, the date, where it happened and anything funny that was said. It takes seconds and is wonderful to read later.

Photos help too. A picture of your child grinning with their brand-new gap is a classic for a reason. Take one on the day, because the gap fills in sooner than you'd think.

As for the tooth itself, families differ. Some keep the first one in a tiny box; others leave it for the Tooth Fairy. If you'd like to keep it, the Department can note on the receipt that the tooth has been returned for safekeeping as a family heirloom.

Traditions from around the world

Not every child expects a fairy. In Spain and much of Latin America, Ratoncito Pérez, a small and very polite mouse, collects lost teeth. In France, La Petite Souris does the same job. In some families, children throw their teeth onto the roof with a wish for a strong new tooth. Sharing these stories can be a lovely way to talk about how many different families celebrate the same small milestone.

After the first tooth

Once the first tooth has gone, others tend to follow over the next few years. Decide early how you'd like to handle each visit, so you're not reinventing the routine every time. Many families save the big celebration for the first tooth (and sometimes the last) and keep the rest simple: a short receipt, a word of praise, the usual exchange.

Keep an eye on the new teeth coming through, too. Adult front teeth can look large and slightly jagged at first, and they often look a little out of proportion in a small face for a while. If anything about how teeth are coming in worries you, your dentist can take a look.