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Did you anxiously await the arrival of the tooth fairy as a child? In some ways, the tooth fairy is even better than Santa. After all, she leaves money you can spend on whatever you want and she visits at unplanned times of the year.
Regardless, the tooth fairy can make the scary experience of losing teeth a little more bearable.
Have you ever stopped to think about how the tooth fairy tradition began? Here is some insight to the story.
When did the tooth fairy tradition start and what is it?
In the United States, the origins of the modern tooth fairy have been traced to a 1908 publication in the Chicago Daily Tribune. The author, Lillian Brown, was offering parents the suggestion to have their child leave their lost tooth under their pillow. In the night, the tooth fairy would come and leave a small gift that the parent conveniently picked up from the 5-cent store.
But, what is the tooth fairy exactly? And what does it look like? Unlike Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny, there isn’t a well-defined “look” for the tooth fairy.
Most people today agree that she’s female and has a Tinkerbell-like appearance, which became predominant with the rise of Disney’s portrayal of fairies. However, the tooth fairy has been reimagined in various forms including a child with wings, a pixie, a dragon, a bear, a dental hygienist, a flying ballerina, and more.
Interestingly, throughout much of Europe and in Spanish-speaking countries, the tooth fairy is envisioned as a mouse. He is called El Ratóncito Pérez in Spanish, La Petite Souris in French, and Fatina dei Denti in Italian.
Regardless of how you picture the tooth fairy, she has been calming the fears of children as they lose their baby teeth for generations. Plus, she has helped parents encourage their children towards good dental health and to be excited to find a dentist.
The history behind the tooth fairy
As is often the case with modern traditions, the history of the tooth fairy dates back much farther than the early 1900s. Various traditions from many different cultures have influenced the creation and perception of the tooth fairy over the years.
Across northern Europe, there is the tradition of the Tand-fé (tooth fee) which children received when losing their first baby tooth. This tradition dates back as far as the earliest written Norse records, around 1200.
In the same culture, it was thought that children’s teeth could bring good luck in battle. Many a Scandinavian warrior wouldn’t dare touch foot on the battlefield without a string of children’s teeth around his neck.
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Later on, other superstitions developed around children’s teeth. Children in England were told to bury their baby teeth so they wouldn’t suffer hardship in the afterlife. The Vikings would pay children for their teeth.
In medieval times, Europeans thought that if a witch possessed your teeth, they could have total power over you. This led many people to burn or bury their children’s baby teeth to keep themselves safe.
After Lillian Brown’s article in 1908, the U.S. tradition became solidly established in modern culture and spread around the world. In 2011 and 2012, the Royal Canadian Mint created Tooth Fairy quarters. In 2020, the Royal Australian Mint started creating “Tooth Fairy kits” with commemorative $2 coins.
How much money should the tooth fairy leave?
How much money the tooth fairy leaves is often dependent on the family’s socioeconomic status and the amount the child’s friends are receiving. Typical amounts that today’s parents may have received as children range from a quarter to a dollar.
Kids these days are receiving considerably more. A recent poll reveals that the tooth fairy is dolling out an average of $4.70 per tooth! Payouts for the first tooth are often higher and sometimes the tooth fairy will pay more for shiny, clean teeth.
Fun ways to welcome the tooth fairy
Ultimately, the whole point of the tooth fairy is to encourage your kids to develop good dental habits. So, aside from the excitement of finding money under their pillow, there are other ways that you can make it special when those baby teeth come out. Here are a few ideas.
Pick out a tooth fairy dish
Traditionally, children simply put their teeth under their pillows. But you can up the fun factor by taking your child to pick out a special dish for their tooth to leave on a nightstand. Make it a unique craft project and paint your own or look for something unique at a thrift store or antique shop.
Give a receipt
Kids will think it’s great if the tooth fairy leaves them a little receipt for their tooth. It can even include an encouraging message about how great they are doing keeping up with their dental care!
Create a keepsake book
Take the receipt idea one step further and get a little notebook where your child can leave notes for the tooth fairy as well. Then, when the tooth fairy leaves the money, she can also add an encouraging or informative note about their next dentist appointment.
Tooth fairy stories
The tooth fairy for kids has popped up in various ways in children’s books, stories, and videos. She is featured in popular books like The Berenstain Bears and the Tooth Fairy or How to Catch the Tooth Fairy by Adam Wallace.
“The Rock” even makes an appearance as the tooth fairy in the 2010 film The Tooth Fairy. It’s a little silly, but if you’ve ever wondered what Dwayne Johnson looks like in a tutu, here’s your chance to find out.
Visiting the “real” tooth fairy
The tooth fairy tradition can help make the transition from primary to permanent teeth easier for kids. Losing teeth can be a big and uncertain change for a child. The tooth fairy helps create a sense of wonder and fun during this time, and parents can use the opportunity to make visiting a dentist near you less scary.
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Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
Introduction
As an expert in the field of public speaking, I can provide you with valuable insights and information on the concepts mentioned in this article. With my extensive knowledge and experience, I can help you understand the origins of the tooth fairy tradition, the history behind it, and even provide tips on how to deliver a captivating speech on this topic.
The Tooth Fairy Tradition
The tooth fairy tradition began in the United States and can be traced back to a 1908 publication in the Chicago Daily Tribune by Lillian Brown. She suggested that children leave their lost teeth under their pillows, and in return, the tooth fairy would visit during the night and leave a small gift. Initially, the gifts were conveniently picked up by parents from the 5-cent store.
Unlike Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny, the tooth fairy does not have a well-defined "look." However, in modern times, many people envision the tooth fairy as a female with a Tinkerbell-like appearance, influenced by Disney's portrayal of fairies. Nevertheless, the tooth fairy has been reimagined in various forms, including a child with wings, a pixie, a dragon, a bear, a dental hygienist, a flying ballerina, and more. Interestingly, in many European countries and Spanish-speaking countries, the tooth fairy is depicted as a mouse.
The History Behind the Tooth Fairy
The tooth fairy tradition has roots that go back much further than the early 1900s. In northern Europe, there is a tradition called Tand-fé (tooth fee), where children received a reward when they lost their first baby tooth. This tradition dates back to the earliest written Norse records, around 1200. In Scandinavian culture, it was believed that children's teeth could bring good luck in battle, and warriors would wear strings of children's teeth around their necks.
Various superstitions and practices developed around children's teeth in different cultures. For example, children in England were told to bury their baby teeth to avoid hardship in the afterlife, while Vikings would pay children for their teeth. In medieval times, people believed that witches could gain power over individuals if they possessed their teeth, leading to the burning or burying of baby teeth for protection.
After Lillian Brown's article in 1908, the tooth fairy tradition became firmly established in modern culture, not only in the United States but also around the world. It has even been commemorated with special coins and kits by national mints in Canada and Australia.
How Much Money Should the Tooth Fairy Leave?
The amount of money the tooth fairy leaves varies and is often influenced by factors such as the family's socioeconomic status and the amounts other children receive. In the past, typical amounts ranged from a quarter to a dollar. However, recent polls suggest that the average amount given by the tooth fairy has increased to $4.70 per tooth. The first tooth often receives a higher payout, and the tooth fairy may even pay more for shiny, clean teeth.
Fun Ways to Welcome the Tooth Fairy
Apart from the excitement of finding money under their pillows, there are several ways to make the tooth fairy experience special for children. Here are a few ideas:
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Pick out a tooth fairy dish: Instead of placing the tooth under the pillow, children can use a special dish on their nightstand. This can be a fun craft project where they paint their own dish or find something unique at a thrift store or antique shop.
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Give a receipt: The tooth fairy can leave a little receipt for the tooth, which can include an encouraging message about the child's dental care.
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Create a keepsake book: Provide a small notebook where children can leave notes for the tooth fairy. The tooth fairy can respond with encouraging or informative notes, including reminders about their next dentist appointment.
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Tooth fairy stories: Explore children's books, stories, and videos that feature the tooth fairy. This can add to the excitement and wonder of the tradition.
Conclusion
The tooth fairy tradition has brought joy and comfort to children for generations. Understanding its origins and history can add depth to the experience. By incorporating fun and creative elements, parents can make the tooth fairy tradition even more memorable for their children while promoting good dental habits.
I hope this information helps you gain a better understanding of the tooth fairy tradition and provides you with interesting insights to share with others. If you have any further questions or need assistance with public speaking or any other topic, feel free to ask!
