The tooth fairy is no spring chicken. The tradition of hiding a child’s baby tooth after it fell out started in Europe hundreds of years ago. The baby tooth was buried in the garden where, according to legend, it would “sprout” a new permanent tooth for the child. A precocious child, would no doubt, wonder why the tooth was sprouting in their mouth rather than in their garden, but evidently the story was accepted by children and celebrated by parents for years. 

In the early 1900’s this tradition evolved into hiding the lost baby tooth under the child’s pillow instead of burying it in the garden. Rumor had it that a “good fairy” would appear in the night, remove the tooth from under the child’s pillow and leave a gift for the child.

Between 1930’s to the 1950’s plays, stories, jokes and songs were invented about the tooth fairy. She was a popular lady during that time period and her popularity has continued to grow with kids ever since. 

• Today’s tooth fairy 

The modern day tooth fairy is more generous than she was in the past. In the early 60’s the tooth fairy hid a quarter or a dime under a child’s pillow in exchange for the abandoned tooth. Today’s tooth fairy gives up to five dollars per tooth. Of course, the tooth fairy probably takes into account that the cost of living is a lot higher today than it was years ago, so she’s actually keeping up with the times. 

• Tooth fairy online

Today the tooth fairy can be “seen.” Websites with tooth fairy games and cartoons are available to enhance a child’s imagination. There are also tooth fairy clubs, coloring books and dental care items. Parents can advocate good dental hygiene with some help from the tooth fairy who will explain to your kids how to care for their teeth. 

• Tooth fairy tradition

Unlike Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny, the tooth fairy is not associated with any religious holiday. Thus, many parents encourage their kids to “believe” in her, especially young children. On the other side of the coin, modern day parents hesitate to have their children believe in the tooth fairy only to find out later that she was purely a fantasy. It is really up the parents what to do with the tooth fairy. Some parents prefer to just give their child money for their baby teeth and skip the tooth fairy all together. 

The tooth fairy is an American institution. She’s delivered gifts and money to thousands of children in her life time. She’s relevant in every era plus she’s proved that she can really sink her teeth into her job.