The Tooth Fairy exists in many cultures and across many religions. But where did the Tooth Fairy come from? Our dentists and team at [practice_name] are happy to shed some light on the subject.
The legend of the Tooth Fairy has changed with time. However, legends and myths surrounding losing baby teeth go back for millennia. In Europe, long ago, when a child lost a baby tooth, they were supposed to bury it. Tradition stated that this would save the child from hardships in the afterlife.
In some countries, the tooth deity was a mouse who would enter children’s rooms and remove baby teeth. The mouse is chosen because rodents continue to grow their teeth for their entire lives. In other cultures, the tooth deity varies to include beavers, dogs, cats, and squirrels.
Our beloved Tooth Fairy was inspired by the legend of the mouse tooth deity combined with legends from Europe of a good fairy that originated in fairy tales. In about 1927, a children’s book made our current idea of the Tooth Fairy popular in America.
The Tooth Fairy can be a way to encourage excellent dental health in your child. Telling your child that the Tooth Fairy gives a larger reward for clean, healthy teeth may be helpful. The legend of the Tooth Fairy and this kind of encouragement makes dental hygiene easier for children. We invite you to contact our dental office today to schedule your child’s next visit with our dentists in [city], [state].
Call our Bastrop and Pflugerville, TX, dental office to make an appointment with a dentist who may be able to help you find out more about this topic, and improve your oral health.