Just like Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy is an iconic symbol of childhood. Losing baby teeth is one of life’s first rites of passage, and research shows that people have been practicing what anthropologists refer to as “shed tooth rituals” for centuries.
Tooth Fairy Goes Global
There are many legends, myths, and traditions about how the Tooth Fairy came into existence. Cultures have developed their own unique rituals for celebrating the loss of baby teeth.
During the Middle Ages, legend says that Europeans would burn, bury, or swallow their baby teeth in order to avoid a witch’s curse. Meanwhile, Scandinavians are credited with developing the practice of exchanging teeth for money. Vikings would trade coins for teeth to be worn on necklaces as good luck charms during battle.
Mystical Mice
Mice are a common thread among ancient tooth fairy traditions and are even used as dental mascots throughout the world. Mice are known for their strong teeth that can chew through almost anything. They will continuously grow back missing teeth throughout their lifetime. The French folktale, La Petite Souris, is a story about a little mouse who would exchange coins for children’s teeth.
Spanish cultures follow a similar practice of exchanging baby teeth for money. Children leave their lost teeth under their pillows for Ratoncito Pérez (Pérez Mouse) to come swap them for money.
The Italian Tooth Fairy is represented by Topolino, the little mouse who brings children money in exchange for their lost teeth.
All-American Tooth Fairy
The modern-day Tooth Fairy tradition in the United Statas is a combination of the mouse swapping teeth for cash practice and the European “good fairy” concept. Overall, there is no definite description of the Tooth Fairy’s physical appearance, but many acknowledge a female figure, ranging in age and size.
Pop culture has played a significant role in popularizing the Tooth Fairy that we know today. The Tooth Fairy became a symbolic figure of childhood thanks to a children’s book released during the 1920’s. Disney’s fairy characters have also contributed to the Tooth Fairy’s persona.
Museum of Lost Teeth
Rosemary Wells, who was a professor at Northwestern University Dental School, devoted her time to researching the Tooth Fairy’s origin and went as far as turning her Deerfield, Illinois residence into the Tooth Fairy Museum. During the 1990’s she gave schoolchildren tours of her home, which showcased various memorabilia (books, dolls, pillows, etc.) about losing teeth. Mrs. Wells has since passed away, and the museum has been closed for a while now.
The Teeth-Money-Swap
How much did you bank off the Tooth Fairy as a kid? The monetary value of a tooth varies among cultures and demographics. The Tooth Fairy has surely been affected by inflation over the decades; however, the ultimate decision remains with parents. Delta Dental recently conducted the Original Tooth Fairy Poll concluding that the average rate per tooth is $3.70, which is down almost 50% from the previous year!
At Berger Dental, we offer pediatric dentistry. If you would like to schedule an appointment for your child, call us at 954-344-4488, or complete an online appointment request to schedule your consultation.