Losing their first baby tooth is a rite of passage for kids. While it may be uncomfortable for them at first, they will soon get used to it, and hopefully be proud to sport their brand-new grown-up smile. In the meantime, you can help ease this transition into oral health adulthood by introducing them to another time-honored tradition: the tooth fairy. If your child is fascinated by this flying dental damsel, here are a few traditions from across the globe they may find interesting, too!
Tooth Toss
In countries like Brazil and Korea, children toss their newly fallen teeth onto the rooftop because they believe that a bird will pick them up and come back with new, adult teeth for the child.
In Japan, children throw their top teeth up into the air and their bottom teeth down on the ground in hopes that their new teeth will grow in straight and healthy.
In the Middle East, children also throw their teeth, but in this case, up towards the sun. The hope is that the sun will then reward them with healthy permanent teeth.
Ratocinto Perez
Ratocinto Perez is a tradition in a number of Spanish speaking countries. In many places, the tradition states that Ratocinto Perez (a mouse) scampers under the child’s pillow and takes their teeth away. In each country he leaves behind a prize or small amount of money, but in Argentina, however, he doesn’t go under pillows, he instead collects their teeth from a glass of water.
Rodents are responsible for lost teeth in other countries, too. In Morocco, France, Belgium and Switzerland a mouse called La Petit Souris (the little mouse) takes away teeth and leaves behind money in their place.
Finders Keepers
While in many places it’s customary for kids to bid farewell to fallen teeth, in other countries they’re kept as keepsakes. In Lithuania, children save them in special boxes to make into jewelry. In Turkey, children bury their teeth near a business where they someday hope to have a career, so they might bury them near a school if they hope to be a teacher.
In the Ukraine, children are taught to wrap their teeth in a cloth and stow it away in the darkest corner of their home until its permanent replacement erupts!
Losing your baby teeth is a big deal no matter where you come from. Whether your home gets a special visit by the tooth fairy, a fuzzy mouse, or you prefer to bury your child’s teeth near a doctor’s (or dentist’s!) office or a law practice, these sweet traditions make these oral health milestones a lot of fun!
About Our Practice
At Tic Tac Tooth, our team of skilled dentists loves to make your children smile! We treat patients from birth and up, helping them feel as comfortable caring for their smiles at home as they do in the dental chair.
If your child needs a dental exam, please schedule an appointment on our website today, or call us at 630-995-3393.