Children anxiously await the loss of their first baby tooth. Not only is it a sign that they’re growing up, but it is a chance for them to get a visit from the Tooth Fairy. The night after losing a tooth, children place it under their pillow. Then they go to sleep hoping that the Tooth Fairy (a parent) will take it, leaving money in its place. Here at Seven Lakes Dental in Smokey Point, we love the Tooth Fairy! And we agree that she deserves not just one, but TWO national days – February 28th AND August 22nd.
The legend of the Tooth Fairy dates all the way back to the Middle Ages and spans countries all over the world. In many Asian countries it is tradition to throw lower baby teeth onto the roof and upper teeth under the house. It is believed that this tradition ensures that the upper teeth grow healthy downward and the lower teeth grow healthy upwards. In many Hispanic countries, a mouse, not a fairy, replaces the lost tooth with a coin during the night.
Since National Tooth Fairy Day is coming up, we made a list of ideas for celebrating this long standing tradition.
National Tooth Fairy Day Activities:
- Tooth brushing chart- Have your child help make a chart tracking each time they brush their teeth. Come up with an award they can earn after so many days of brushing.
- Learn about tooth traditions- Visit the library and find books about the Tooth Fairy or other tooth related traditions. Throw Your Tooth on the Roof by Selby Beeler is a great book about traditions from around the world
- Tooth Fairy products- You can do a search on the internet and find many Tooth Fairy related products. You can find fairy dust (or simply use confetti), wooden boxes, molar shaped pillows, books, jewelry, and even keepsake kits.
- Make a homemade Fairy door- You can buy Tooth Fairy door kits! Or you can use a door kit for a miniature dollhouse to make your own. Some of them come complete with a doorknob, knocker, and mail slot. Hang them on the wall next to the child’s bed as a door for the Tooth Fairy to enter through.
- Coloring pages- Do a search online for coloring pages and print them out. Or you can draw your own pictures to color. Then color them and display them for any middle of the night visitors.
- Movie night- Watch the movie ‘Tooth Fairy’ starring Derek Thompson (or some other fairy related movie). Pop some popcorn and make some delicious fruit kabobs to munch on, which are healthy and tooth friendly. Don’t forget to end your day by brushing and flossing your child’s teeth before bedtime.
- Want some more ideas?– There are whole websites devoted to the Tooth Fairy! Simply do a search on the internet. Or, you can go to www.toothfairy.org for more stories, fun activities, and even to leave a message for the Tooth Fairy.
Take Care of Those Baby Teeth!
Make sure you take care of those baby teeth even though they will be falling out someday and left for the Tooth Fairy to take. Brush and floss your kid’s teeth daily, and schedule regular cleanings and checkups with your favorite Smokey Point dental hygienist and dentist at Seven Lakes Dental. Do you have any interesting traditions you want to share? Post them in the comments for us!