It’s a big deal when your child loses their first baby tooth! Although they may initially feel a bit nervous or scared, turning that anxiety into optimism can be extremely helpful. Thankfully, there are fun traditions that help celebrate this oral health milestone. While they may look a bit different depending on their location, the tooth loss traditions like the tooth fairy are a mainstay in many countries and cultures. Here are a few iterations from around the world that your child may find fascinating, too!
It’s a Tossup!
In some places such as Korea and Brazil, when a child loses a tooth, they toss it on the top of their roof because they believe a bird will take it away and bring back a replacement adult tooth for the child.
In the Middle East, kids throw their fallen teeth up towards the sun in the hopes that the star will grant them healthy adult teeth.
In Japan, children toss their top teeth up into the air, and their bottom teeth to the ground with the hope that this will encourage their new teeth to grow in healthy and straight.
Hidden Treasures
Although some cultures encourage their youth to get rid of their lost teeth, in others they are often kept as keepsakes. In Turkey, for example, children bury their fallen teeth near a business where they hope to someday be employed, such as a doctor’s office if they would like to be a doctor.
In Lithuania, children save up their lost teeth in special boxes to one day make into jewelry, and in the Ukraine, they wrap them in a cloth and hide them in the darkest corner of the home until their adult teeth appear.
Of Mice and Rats
Many Spanish-speaking countries teach their children the tradition of Ratocinto Perez, a mouse who sneaks under children’s pillows and takes their fallen teeth, leaving behind a small prize or money. In Argentina, however, Ratocinto Perez doesn’t go under the pillow, he retrieves teeth from a glass of water.
In Morrocco, France, Belgium and Switzerland, a mouse known as La Petit Souris (the little mouse) also visits children and leaves behind money in exchange for their lost teeth.
No matter where you’re from, losing your baby teeth is a big deal, and an important milestone to celebrate. Whether your child is visited by a fairy, a mouse, or a bird, these touching traditions can make this exciting time in your child’s life much more fun and a lot less scary!
About Our Practice
At Castle Rock Smiles, Dr. Benzley and Dr. Sherman know that losing little teeth is a big deal! That’s why they’re proud to offer pediatric dental care for patients of all ages and stages of tooth development. Whether your child has just gotten or lost their first tooth, or they have their full set of permanent teeth, we’re here to help protect their healthy, beautiful smile. To schedule an exam and cleaning, visit our website, or call us today at 303-660-5373.