410-381-0505Like Santa Claus or his reindeer, the Tooth Fairy is a symbol of childhood. The Tooth Fairy exists in many countries and across many religions. But where did the Tooth Fairy come from? Dr. Avi Mizrachi, and our team at Columbia Dental Excellence are happy to shed some light on the subject.
Although legends of the Tooth Fairy have evolved over time, myths surrounding losing baby teeth go back for millennia. Long ago in Europe, when a child lost a baby tooth, they were supposed to bury it. According to superstition, this would save the child from hardships in the afterlife. The Vikings used children’s teeth to bring them good luck in battle.
There are many versions of the tooth deity. In some countries, a mouse would enter the child’s room and remove baby teeth. The mouse is the tooth deity in many cultures because mice continue to grow their teeth for their entire lives. In other cultures, other animals are chosen as the tooth deity.
Our beloved Tooth Fairy was inspired by the legend of the mouse combined with legends from Europe of a good fairy that originated in fairy tales.
The Tooth Fairy can be a way to encourage dental health in your child. Consider telling your child that the Tooth Fairy gives a larger prize for clean, healthy teeth. The legend of the Tooth Fairy, paired with this kind of encouragement makes dental hygiene easier for children. We welcome you to contact our dental office today to schedule your child’s next visit with our dentist in Columbia, Maryland.