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Children in the U.S. and U.K. leave their lost teeth for the tooth fairy, but have you ever wondered what kids in other countries do?
The Tooth Mouse
A lot of countries have legends involving rodents. In some Spanish-speaking countries, children leave their lost teeth under their pillow for Ratoncito Perez (Little Mouse) to collect. In Argentina, kids put their teeth in a glass of water at the bedside. Ratoncito Perez comes in the night to drink the water and take the tooth. Then he leaves coins or a small gift in the glass!
France also has a “tooth mouse” called Le Petite Souris. He collects teeth from under pillows and leaves money behind.
In Russia and Afghanistan, kids put their lost baby teeth in rodent tunnels in hopes that the rat or mouse will give them a new strong tooth.
Throwing teeth
In some Middle Eastern countries, kids throw their baby teeth at the sun and ask for a bright white new tooth to grow in their place.
Indonesian children throw the tooth over their shoulder and over the roof of their house. The legend is that if they throw the tooth straight, the new tooth will grow straight. If they throw it crooked, they might need to get braces!
Kids in countries like Korea, India, and Haiti throw their teeth onto the roof of their house for their version of the tooth fairy to collect. Depending on the country, this could be a rat, squirrel, bird, or even the moon!
In China and Japan, children throw their lower teeth onto the roof, and put their upper teeth on the ground.
Burial
In Nepal, Turkey, Malaysia, and Tajikistan, lost baby teeth are buried in the ground. Turkish parents bury the tooth in a location that reflects their dreams for their child. For example, if they hope for their child to become a surgeon one day, they might bury the tooth near a hospital. Nepali parents bury the tooth because their legend says if a bird finds and eats the tooth, a new one may not grow in its place.
By the time your child has lost their first several baby teeth (around age 7), the time is right to visit your San Tan Valley orthodontist. Dr. Peterson can examine your child’s mouth and ensure that everything is developing correctly. Usually treatment is not needed until the tween or teen years, and your child will simply be monitored until they are ready for braces. Give us a call today!