Many Americans grew up receiving money, usually a few dollars for each baby tooth they lost. Perhaps you are in the same boat right now with your own children. Where does this concept of giving away a child’s tooth for a few dollars come from?
Habits of the past about tooth loss in children
Throughout history and cultures, there have been different traditions of tooth removal. In some cultures, baby teeth were burned or swallowed. In some countries, a child’s tooth symbolized success in battle and was worn around the neck of warriors. During the Middle Ages, or Middle Ages, the child’s tooth was often buried in a hole in the ground to avoid hinting to a witch that a child lived in the household. For a long time in Europe, it was a tradition to give a child money or a small gift when he lost his sixth tooth.
The idea of a fairy and leaving the tooth under a pillow comes from a popular 19th century French children’s book. In the book, a queen is imprisoned by an evil king. She eventually escapes with the help of a mouse who also happens to be a fairy. To get back at her, the mouse fairy pulls out the king’s tooth and hides it under his pillow.
The American tooth fairy we know today didn’t appear until the early 1950s. During this era, Americans generally had more wealth and children were very important. As a result, a money-giving tooth fairy emerged. Like his fictional counterparts the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus, media hype also helped fuel his notoriety. However, his fame was not widely known or popular until the late 1970s.
How much?
There are many factors that have come into play regarding the “rate” of the Tooth Fairy. The most important factor is the amount the child’s family can afford to spend. Another factor was how much the child’s peers received. With the passage of time, the rate of inflation, the cost of living and the value of the dollar has increased. Today, the estimated tooth fairy fee is around $3.25.
The Tooth Fairy phenomenon has now gone global to include countries like England, Canada, Ireland, and Australia.
The loss of milk teeth
Children begin to lose their primary or milk teeth around the age of six. Teeth fall out in the same order they grew in, with the front central incisors falling out first and the molars falling out last. These last teeth to be lost occur around the age of 12. A third set of molars, more commonly called wisdom teeth, often don’t erupt until the late teens. These teeth do not fall out on their own, but are surgically removed by the dentist. Not all patients need to have their wisdom teeth removed.
Most parents make the mistake of not taking care of their children’s teeth as much as necessary due to the inevitable loss of baby teeth. While these teeth will eventually fall out, it’s still important to take good care of them. Baby teeth that become decayed or fall out prematurely can have a negative impact on the adult permanent teeth that grow below, as well as the correct position and growth of neighboring teeth.
Although most of the kids quickly realize it’s not the Tooth Fairy giving them money for their teeth, they still appreciate the couple’s dollars. If you have any concerns about the development of your child’s baby teeth, it is recommended that you schedule an appointment with your pediatric dentist.