History of the Tooth Fairy

Discover the Fascinating Origins of the Tooth Fairy and Baby Tooth Traditions Around the World

Where Did the Tooth Fairy Come From?

Most children and parents are familiar with the tradition of leaving a baby tooth beneath a pillow for the Tooth Fairy. While this custom is popular throughout North America and much of the Western world, many people do not know the true history of the Tooth Fairy or wonder where the Tooth Fairy came from.


Interestingly, many cultures around the world celebrate the loss of baby teeth in very different ways. Long before the modern Tooth Fairy became part of childhood, families followed unique customs that reflected their own traditions and beliefs. Learning about these traditions can be a fun way to teach children about oral health, growing smiles, and the importance of caring for their teeth. To help keep your child's smile healthy as they grow, explore our Pediatric Dentistry services or Contact Us to schedule a visit.

The Evolution of the Tooth Fairy

The earliest baby tooth traditions involved throwing, burying, or hiding children's baby teeth. In many cultures, the tooth was offered to a strong animal, usually a mouse, with the hope that the child's permanent teeth would grow just as strong.


This tradition eventually inspired famous characters such as Ratóncito Pérez in Spain and La Petite Souris in France. During the early 1900s, stories about magical fairies became increasingly popular, and these ideas eventually merged to create the modern Tooth Fairy. Her first documented appearance was in a children's play written by Esther Watkins Arnold in 1927, marking the beginning of today's familiar Tooth Fairy traditions.

Tooth Fairy Traditions Around the World

Today, children celebrate losing baby teeth in many different ways. While children in North America often place their teeth beneath a pillow, other cultures have unique customs. In parts of Asia, children throw their teeth onto rooftops or toward the ground depending on which tooth was lost. In Central Asia, some traditions involve placing the tooth near animals or beneath trees, while children in South Africa traditionally place their tooth inside a slipper instead of under a pillow.


These fascinating Tooth Fairy traditions around the world highlight how different cultures celebrate one of childhood's biggest milestones. No matter the tradition, losing baby teeth is an exciting step in a child's development and a great opportunity to encourage healthy dental habits and regular visits to the dentist.

  • Where did the Tooth Fairy tradition begin?

    The modern Tooth Fairy is believed to have originated during the early 1900s, but the tradition itself is much older. For centuries, families around the world developed unique customs for baby teeth, including burying them, throwing them onto rooftops, or offering them to animals believed to symbolize strength. Over time, these traditions evolved into the friendly Tooth Fairy that many children know today.

  • Why does the Tooth Fairy leave money?

    Many historians believe the tradition of leaving money celebrates one of childhood's first important milestones. Losing baby teeth represents growth, independence, and the transition toward adulthood. The small reward also helps make the experience exciting and memorable, encouraging children to view losing a tooth as something positive instead of something to fear.

  • Do all countries have a Tooth Fairy?

    No. While many Western countries celebrate the Tooth Fairy, other cultures have their own unique traditions. Some children throw their teeth onto rooftops, others bury them, and some leave them for a mouse instead of a fairy. These customs vary from country to country, but they all celebrate the exciting milestone of losing baby teeth while encouraging children to care for their growing smiles and developing oral health.