Kids can leave you tongue tied with some truly unique questions. And parents have to get creative with their answers. Today, we’re answering some of the questions your little tikes might ask about the tooth fairy, such as “what does the tooth fairy do with the teeth?”
Who is the tooth fairy?
The tooth fairy is a folklore that says when a child loses a milk tooth, they should keep it under their pillow at night. The “tooth fairy” will come around, collect the tooth while the child is asleep, and leave a small payment in exchange. Of course, it is the parents who actually leave the money under the child’s pillow.
How much does the tooth fairy give for teeth now?
The tooth fairy gives $5 per tooth on average these days. Sometimes, the first tooth gets a larger sum of money, up to $20. The amount of money left by the tooth fairy has been climbing steadily over the years, up from $2 in the early 2000s to the current $5. Given that the tooth fairy collects an estimated 300,000 teeth from children all over the world each night, that’s a pretty large sum of money to hand out, don’t you think?! And she’s been doing it for over 100 years (the first mention of the tooth fairy was in 1908 in the Chicago Daily Tribune). You can do the math on how much money the tooth fairy has handed out since she started.
Can I call the tooth fairy?
We’ve got good news for you if your child is suspicious or simply insists on talking to the tooth fairy. The Sacramento District Dental Society has a Tooth Fairy Hotline where kids can call and listen to a pre-recorded message from the tooth fairy. They also have free educational monthly messages. Check for long distance calling rates before you call. The number is 916-446-1310.
What does the tooth fairy do with the teeth?
Alright, now let’s answer one of the most common questions about the tooth fairy – What does the tooth fairy do with the teeth?
Some creative answers parents have come up with include she uses them to build tooth fairy land. Or she makes pretty jewelry for herself and her friends. Other possible answers include: She does science experiments on them. Or she saves them in keepsake boxes with your name. In some European countries, the tooth fairy is a lovable furry mouse, so the tooth fairy could potentially nibble on the teeth she collects.
Where does the tooth fairy live?
This is top secret. But if your child is interested to learn more and you’re in the area, do pay a visit to the Tooth Fairy Museum in Deerfield, IL, where they have books, dolls, artwork, and other memorabilia about the tooth fairy.
How many times will the tooth fairy visit?
The tooth fairy will visit every time a child loses a milk tooth. So, that’s around 20 visits between the time a kid starts losing teeth and has a full set of adult teeth.
Why does the tooth fairy take teeth and leave money?
The legend of the tooth fairy originated in Scandinavia. In ancient times, the Vikings believed teeth brought good luck and wore them around their necks in necklaces. When a child lost a milk tooth, adults were happy to pay for the “good luck charm,” and this is how the practice started.
What do parents do with tooth fairy teeth?
This answer is not for the kids. Many parents save their child’s milk teeth after they fall out, in a keepsake box, for example. Some preserve the teeth because they contain stem cells. Others are more practical and simply toss them in the garbage or bury them.
What age does the tooth fairy stop?
The tooth fairy stops visiting when all of a child’s milk teeth have fallen out. This is usually between the ages of 9 and 12 years old.
If you’ve got little ones in your family, start them on a good routine of oral hygiene early in life. Make sure they brush their teeth twice a day and visit the dentist regularly. Express Dentist has a trusted network or family and pediatric dentists. Do not hesitate to call us if you’re looking for a dental office in your area. If you have a child with special needs, such as a child with autism, we can help you find a dentist who has experience in providing dental care for such children.
And in the meantime, stay tuned to the Express Dentist blog for answers to pressing questions like – what does the tooth fairy do with the teeth? and is thumb sucking bad for a child’s teeth?
About the author
Dr. Greg Grillo
Dr. Greg Grillo DDS studied at the University of Washington where he received a bachelors degree with Honors and later attended dental school on the same campus. Following school Dr. Greg served in the United States Navy as a dental officer. During this time he received advanced training in specialty areas of dentistry while also treating families of members of the military.
As well as sharing valuable information on dentistry and oral health, Dr. Greg remains a practicing dentist to this day. He works with families in the Okanogan Valley where he lives with his wife and three children.
