Do you believe in the tooth fairy?

We’ve all had the joy of having the tooth fairy visit us at some time or the other. Help your children celebrate Tooth Fairy Day today on 28 February.

The legend of the tooth fairy has been around since at least the middle ages and no one is sure of it’s exact origin. This day pays homage to the generous spirit known to leave treats or coins under our pillows.

This how the fallen teeth were treated in history and today elsewhere in the world:

1. In Early Europe there was a tradition to bury teeth when they fell.

2. During the middle ages people used to burn teeth after they fell as this was said to protect them from hardship in the afterlife.

3. Vikings paid children for their teeth. In Norse culture it was considered good luck to keep children’s teeth and other belongings during battle.

4. Some Asian countries like China, India and Vietnam throw fallen teeth onto the roof if the tooth came form the bottom jaw and under the floorboards if the tooth came from the top jaw. They do this while shouting a request that the teeth be replaced by the teeth of a mouse, as rodent teeth continue to grow their whole lives.

5. In some Middle Eastern countries, like Iraq and Jordan, people throw fallen milk teeth into the sky to the sun or for Allah.

What do yo do with your children’s baby teeth?

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