As an adult, losing a tooth is a dental emergency. As a child, losing a tooth means the tooth fairy is on their way! If one of your child’s chompers just came out, they may be unfamiliar with the concept. So, now is a great time to introduce them to this mythical creature. With this in mind, here are a few tooth fairy stories from around the globe.
France
In the U.S., we tell our children to place their teeth underneath their pillow so a little fairy can sneak into their room and exchange it for a treat. In France, and French-speaking countries, children are told that a mythological mouse collects their lost teeth as they doze. This character is called, “La Petite Souris.”
Finland
The story Finnish children are told encourages good dental habits. In short, they believe that Hammaspeikko (or tooth troll) will come drill holes in their teeth if they eat too much candy. Fortunately, they can scare the troll away by brushing their teeth!
Turkey
Parents in Turkey have a unique custom when it comes to handling their child’s lost teeth, they bury them in a location that reflects their potential future! For example, if a parent wanted their child to be President, then they should bury their teeth at the White House. On the other hand, if they wanted them to become a doctor, they should place it near a hospital.
China
In China, children don’t exchange a lost tooth for a treat. Instead, they throw their lower teeth on the roof and bury their top teeth in the ground. In both cases, the mission is the same: to help their teeth grow in straight.
The Middle East
Jordan, Egypt, and Sudan are a few countries where children are encouraged to throw their teeth in the air. This practice represents them asking the sun to send them stronger, healthier teeth to take the place of their baby ones. (This tradition is believed to date back to the 13th century!).
Losing baby teeth is an important part of childhood. Learning about all the different tooth fairy stories from around the globe will help normalize this experience for your child and get them excited about their new smile!
About the Practice
Our entire team at Simply Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry is united behind one important mission: to help children maintain their happy, healthy smiles. Since losing their baby teeth is an important part of this process, we love helping parents prepare for this transition, prioritizing the health of their teeth and gums every step of the way. If your child is overdue for their routine checkup or you simply have a question about caring for their smile, don’t hesitate to visit our website or give us a call at 781-767-7200.