Worldwide Tooth Fairy Traditions

Tooth fairy folklore is usually introduced to children at the age when they are about to begin losing their baby teeth. Dr. Karotkin from Advance Orthodontics in Houston said "Parents use this fantasy figure as a way to help their children feel less afraid of losing their teeth and to help them overcome the pain they sometimes feel when this happens."

Children from America, Canada, England and many other countries are usually told they should place their lost tooth beneath their pillow and the Tooth Fairy will take it in the night and replace it with money or a gift of some kind. However, in some other countries, the myth is slightly different. Some cultures have magical animals that bring gifts, while other cultures have traditional rituals the children partake in when they lose a tooth.​

The Tooth Mouse, White Rat and Rabbit: Coins for Teeth

A mouse called "El Raton" takes the place of the Tooth Fairy in Mexico, Venezuela and Spain. It is called "El Ratoncito Perez" in Argentina and "La Petite Souris" in France, Switzerland, Belgium, Algeria, Morocco and Luxembourg.

A white rat visits children in Scotland. In El Salvador, children wait for a little rabbit to take their tooth during the night. Each generous rodent is said to purchase the children's teeth leaving them coins in the place of each tooth.

The Even Trade: Tooth for a Tooth

In some countries, the Tooth Mouse isn't expected to bring any money to exchange for the tooth. In the Dominican Republic, the Tooth Mouse is believed to come fetch a tooth that a child has thrown onto their house roof and bring them a new tooth to replace the lost one.

When a child loses an upper jaw tooth in some Asian countries, they will throw it up onto the roof of their home. If the tooth falls from their lower jaw, they will throw it down under the floor. Either way, they will be expecting the tooth mouse to take their tooth away and replace it with the tooth of a mouse as they believe they will then have a tooth that will never stop growing.

In the Philippines, a child must manage to throw their lost tooth completely over the house roof in order for the tooth mouse to take it away and leave a permanent tooth that will be much stronger and sharper, hopefully just like a good mouse tooth.

In India, a sparrow is the star of the show. Children will throw their teeth up onto the roof of their home with the hope that a sparrow will take it and bring them a brand new one.

Teeth Throwing Traditions: A Straight Shot

Wrapping a newly lost tooth in tissue paper and trying to throw it into the sun is a tradition in Egypt, the Sudan, Jordan, Iraq and Palestine. The children offer their teeth to the sun and hope for the sun to send them a better tooth in return to take its place.

In Japan, children attempt to throw their lost teeth in a completely straight line either up or down to help ensure their permanent teeth come in as straight as possible.

Whichever version of the tooth fairy your family utilizes, your children are sure to find some comfort, if not fun, in the tradition. Maybe now they'll look forward to losing their teeth!

Advance Orthodontics in Houston is committed to providing quality care for their patient's smiles. They customize each treatment to fit the needs and lifestyle of the individual. Check out their Facebook for more infomation.