The Fascinating History of the Tooth Fairy

Most people have heard of the tooth fairy. Legend has it that if you lose a baby tooth and place it under your pillow before you go to sleep at night, this benevolent mythical creature will collect the tooth and exchange it for money or gifts.

What you may not have known is that this practice occurs in countries all over the world. In America, National Tooth Fairy Day is celebrated on both February 28 and August 22. In honor of National Tooth Fairy Day, your family dentist in Kansas City is here to give you a little more insight into the fascinating history of the tooth fairy!

How did the legend begin?

No one really knows the precise origins of the tooth fairy legend, though the tradition has been found in writings from as long ago as the 10th century, when the Eddas, the earliest existing writings from Old Norse, refer to something called the “tand-fe,” or “tooth fee,” a small payment given to a child when they lost their first baby tooth. Other superstitions surrounding teeth – especially baby teeth – flourished during the Middle Ages, when such teeth were often thought to bring good luck.

Why is the tooth fairy important?

As adults, we know that losing our baby teeth is a natural part of growing up and nothing to be concerned about. For a kid, however, the process can be a potentially scary proposition.

The legend of the tooth fairy helps children to become comfortable with this natural, normal part of growing up. To quote a “Household Hints” item first published in the Chicago Daily Tribune in 1908, “Many a refractory child will allow a loose tooth to be removed if he knows about the Tooth Fairy. If he takes his little tooth and puts it under the pillow when he goes to bed, the Tooth Fairy will come in the night and take it away and in its place will leave some little gift.”

This important role that the tooth fairy plays in helping children come to terms with losing their baby teeth may also be why there are two National Tooth Fairy Days, spaced six months apart. This helps to keep the tradition alive and helps children and parents remember the importance of good oral care habits (and visits to their family dentist in Kansas City) all year round.

What gifts should the tooth fairy give?

Of course, the type of gifts left by the tooth fairy has changed throughout the years. Even the tooth fairy has to keep up with inflation, after all. That same Chicago Daily Tribune article advises parents to “visit the 5-cent counter and lay in a supply of articles to be used on such occasions.”

These days, however, one would be hard pressed to even find a 5-cent counter, and monetary gifts are often the preferred mode of tooth fairy exchange. Delta Dental reports that the average gift for a single lost tooth was a whopping $6.23 in 2023.

Is there an alternative to leaving money under your child’s pillow in exchange for their lost baby teeth? Absolutely. You can start any simple tradition that helps your child celebrate losing baby teeth. A letter from the tooth fairy or a Tooth Fairy Certificate Achievement may be even more meaningful than a monetary gift.

While you may be able to give the tooth fairy a little hand now and again, though, there’s no replacement for regular visits to your family dentist. Call Blacker Family Dental today at (816) 763-8400 or click here to schedule an appointment.