The Tooth Fairy and Other Legends

Baby Teeth Traditions from Around the World

© Melissa Howard

Missing a Tooth, Melissa Howard

Read about some of the interesting tooth traditions from around the world.

Losing baby teeth is a significant event in the lives of children. It is a sign that they are growing older and are no longer babies. In America, the event is celebrated with the tradition of a tooth fairy exchanging money for the missing tooth. Here are some legends collected by Selby B. Beeler from people from all around the world.

Money Traditions

Children around the world exchange baby teeth for money. In America, the creature who takes the old tooth and replaces it with treasure is a tooth fairy but in other countries other beings or animals are responsible for increasing the child’s wealth.

Healthy Teeth

Many traditions around the world reflect the desire for the child’s new tooth to come in straight and healthy.

A Remembrance of Childhood

In some countries, the tooth is preserved as a memorial to the passage of childhood.

A Charm for the Future

In some countries, the passage of childhood is a time for hope in the future. Some parents use the teeth with the hope of gaining blessings for their children.

To learn more about different traditions for celebrating the transition from baby teeth to adult teeth read Selby B. Beeler’s book Throw Your Tooth on the Roof: Tooth Traditions from Around the World.


The copyright of the article The Tooth Fairy and Other Legends in Legends is owned by Melissa Howard. Permission to republish The Tooth Fairy and Other Legends must be granted by the author in writing.




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