History of the Tooth Fairy
Early Tooth Traditions
Baby tooth traditions have existed for centuries. Depending on the culture, lost teeth were buried, burned, hidden, placed in trees, thrown onto rooftops, or offered to animals. In some communities, teeth were placed near a stove, inside a mouse hole, or somewhere animals could not reach them.
Many of these customs were connected to the hope that a child’s permanent teeth would grow strong and healthy. Offering a tooth to an animal known for strong teeth, such as a mouse or rodent, was believed to help pass those qualities on to the child.
From the Tooth Mouse to the Tooth Fairy
Before the modern Tooth Fairy became popular, several European cultures told stories about tooth-collecting mice. In Spain, the character is known as Ratóncito Pérez, while France has La Petite Souris. These characters collected children’s lost teeth and often left a small gift in return.
During the early 1900s, fairies became increasingly common in children’s books, plays, and entertainment. Over time, fairy stories blended with older tooth-mouse traditions, helping create the Tooth Fairy recognized today. The idea of leaving money may also symbolize growing independence and the responsibilities that come with getting older.
Tooth Traditions Around the World
Children around the world celebrate lost teeth in many different ways. In parts of Asia, a child may throw a lower tooth onto the roof and an upper tooth toward the ground, encouraging the new tooth to grow in the correct direction. Some children also wish for strong teeth like those of a mouse.
In Central Asia, lost teeth may be buried near trees or offered to animals believed to have strong teeth. In the Middle East and North Africa, children may throw their teeth toward the sky, while some South African children place them inside a slipper rather than beneath a pillow.
Although the customs differ, they share a common purpose: helping children mark the transition from baby teeth to permanent teeth in a meaningful, positive, and memorable way.