Beyond the Tooth

How Different Countries Celebrate Losing a Tooth

For many children, losing a baby tooth isn’t just a rite of passage, it’s a magical moment. In numerous cultures around the world, a tiny tradition has evolved around this milestone, often involving leaving the lost tooth under a pillow or in a special place for a mythical figure. While the “Toothfairy” dominates the imagination in Ireland, the UK and the USA, other countries have their own fascinating customs, each reflecting unique cultural values and beliefs. Let’s take a whimsical tour across the globe to see how children celebrate losing their teeth.

USA and Canada – The Classic Toothfairy

In North America, the Toothfairy is a staple of childhood. Children place their lost teeth under their pillows at night, and by morning, a small payment, usually coins, is left in exchange. The Toothfairy is often depicted as a gentle, winged creature who encourages good dental hygiene. This tradition, while modern in its current form, has roots in European customs involving payment for teeth to ward off bad luck or evil spirits.

UK – The Toothfairy or the “Teeth Money” Tradition

The UK shares the Toothfairy tradition with the USA, though the stories and regional variations can differ. Some children’s books and nursery rhymes reinforce the narrative of the fairy taking teeth to make something magical, such as a new set of wings or jewellery. Coin values can vary, but the act remains an exciting reward for children.

Ireland – The Toothfairy with a Twist

In Ireland, the Toothfairy tradition is similar to the UK and USA, but it often comes with a charming twist. Children place their teeth under their pillow, and the fairy is believed to leave a small coin or treat. In some regions, folklore adds that the fairy may also leave a tiny note of encouragement or a blessing, emphasising kindness and good luck. The Irish version tends to be more story-driven, with parents often crafting imaginative tales about the fairy’s nightly adventures.

Spain and Latin America – El Ratoncito Pérez

In Spain and much of Latin America, the fairy is replaced by El Ratoncito Pérez, a clever little mouse. According to legend, Pérez sneaks into children’s rooms at night to collect their teeth and leaves a small gift or money. The story gained widespread popularity through a 19th-century tale by Luis Coloma, written for King Alfonso VIII of Spain. In many households, children are told that Pérez uses the teeth to build his house or craft treasures, emphasizing imagination and resourcefulness.

France – La Petite Souris (The Little Mouse)

Similar to Spain, French children await La Petite Souris, the Little Mouse, who performs the same tooth-swapping magic as Pérez. The mouse may be depicted in storybooks wearing tiny clothes and wielding a small sack to collect teeth. This tradition underscores the French love of storytelling and charming animal characters in childhood rituals.

Japan – Throwing Teeth Towards the Sun

In Japan, instead of exchanging teeth for money, children follow an ancient superstition. Upper teeth are thrown down onto the floor, and lower teeth are thrown up onto the roof, accompanied by a wish for healthy growth of the incoming teeth. This act symbolises sending gratitude and hopes to the heavens or the earth, reflecting the spiritual and naturalistic elements of Japanese culture.

India – Feeding Teeth to Animals

In parts of India, children throw their lost teeth toward a cow, rat, or other animals, or sometimes bury them in the ground. The idea is that the animal will help the new teeth grow strong and healthy. This practice demonstrates the close connection between humans and nature in Indian traditions, where animals often play symbolic and protective roles in childhood rituals.

Middle East – Teeth in the Dust or with Cats

In countries like Saudi Arabia and Iran, children may throw teeth toward the sun or leave them for cats to eat. These customs often carry spiritual or protective significance, representing wishes for strong, healthy adult teeth and warding off bad luck or illness.

Other Unique Practices

• Norway: Children leave teeth in a shoe by the window for a reward.
• Ghana: Teeth are often thrown into the fire with a prayer for strong adult teeth.
• Turkey: Teeth may be thrown onto the roof, similar to Japan, to ensure healthy replacement teeth.

Despite the differences, these customs share a common thread: they turn a sometimes scary experience, losing a tooth, into a moment of joy, creativity, and wonder. Whether it’s a fairy, a mouse, or a symbolic toss toward the sky, the ritual reinforces values of growth, imagination, and reward for taking care of oneself. Losing a tooth becomes not just a biological milestone, but a bridge into cultural storytelling, a spark for magical thinking, and a gentle way to teach children about change, reward, and even hygiene.

So next time a child nervously places a tooth under their pillow, remember: somewhere in the world, a mouse might be tiptoeing in, a sun might be catching a tossed tooth, or a fairy might be sprinkling a little magic dust. Childhood, in all its wonder, is truly universal.