When your child loses their first tooth, you probably tuck it under their pillow and wait for the Tooth Fairy to work her magic. But did you know that in Spain, it's not a fairy at all—it's a mouse? And in some countries, children throw their teeth onto roofs, bury them near trees, or even toss them toward the sun?
Losing baby teeth is a universal childhood milestone, but how families celebrate it varies wildly around the globe. From magical mice to elaborate burial rituals, these tooth traditions reflect each culture's unique values, beliefs, and creativity.
Let's take a little journey around the world to discover how children from different countries say goodbye to their baby teeth!
1. United States, Canada & United Kingdom: The Classic Tooth Fairy
The Tradition: Children place their lost tooth under their pillow before bed. During the night, the Tooth Fairy—a tiny, winged magical creature—takes the tooth and leaves money or a small gift in its place.
What Makes It Special: The Tooth Fairy is a relatively modern invention, with the first written reference appearing in a 1908 Chicago Daily Tribune column. The tradition became widespread in the 1920s and gained even more popularity with Disney's fairy-tale movies in the 1940s.
Going Rate: In 2025, American children receive an average of $5.01 per tooth, though this varies significantly by region. Canadian children get approximately $7.13, making Canada the most generous country globally!
Fun Fact: Many parents leave glitter or "fairy dust" on the windowsill as "proof" of the Tooth Fairy's visit. Some families even create tiny Tooth Fairy doors or write miniature letters to make the experience more magical.
2. Spain & Latin America: El Ratoncito Pérez
The Tradition: In Spain, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Argentina, and Colombia, children receive visits from El Ratoncito Pérez (Perez the Little Mouse). Like the Tooth Fairy, this magical mouse collects teeth from under pillows and leaves gifts or money in exchange.
The Origin Story: Ratoncito Pérez has an official backstory. In the late 1800s, Spanish author Luis Coloma wrote a story about the magical mouse specifically for young King Alfonso XIII, who had just lost a tooth at age eight. The tale was so beloved that it was published as a novel in 1902.
Regional Variations:
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In Argentina, children sometimes place the tooth in a glass of water on their nightstand. When Ratoncito Pérez arrives, he drinks the water, takes the tooth, and leaves the gift in the empty glass.
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In some regions, he's called "El Ratón de Los Dientes" (The Tooth Mouse)
Must-Visit: There's an actual Ratoncito Pérez museum in Madrid! It's one of the world's smallest museums, located at the site where the fictional mouse was said to live.
3. France, Belgium & Switzerland: La Petite Souris
The Tradition: French-speaking countries also have a tooth mouse! La Petite Souris (The Little Mouse) visits children at night, taking teeth from under pillows and leaving coins or treats.
The Backstory: La Petite Souris is believed to originate from a 17th-century French fairy tale by Baroness d'Aulnoy called "La Bonne Petite Souris" (The Good Little Mouse). In the original story, a fairy transforms herself into a mouse to help a queen defeat an evil king by hiding under his pillow and causing him to lose all his teeth!
Modern Twist: Some French parents tell children that La Petite Souris builds a giant white castle from all the teeth she collects. This gives parents a clever way to encourage tooth brushing—after all, the mouse only wants strong, white teeth for her castle!
Cultural Note: The word "souris" (mouse) is always feminine in French, which is why even Mickey Mouse becomes "une souris" in France!
4. Italy: Two Tooth Collectors
The Tradition: Italian children might receive a visit from either Fatina dei Denti (the Tooth Fairy) or her helper, Topolino (Little Mouse). That’s the same name Italians use for Mickey Mouse!
Regional Differences: In the Veneto region, some families invoke Saint Apollonia, the patron saint of dentistry, instead of magical creatures. Saint Apollonia's legendary martyrdom involved having her teeth broken, and she's often depicted in religious art holding a tooth.
5. Asia: Throwing Teeth for Straight Growth
The Tradition: In China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and India, children don't hide their teeth… They throw them! But there's a specific method:
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Upper teeth (from the top jaw) are thrown onto the floor or buried in the ground
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Lower teeth (from the bottom jaw) are thrown onto the roof
The Belief: This tradition is based on the idea that new teeth will grow in the same direction as the old tooth was thrown. Throwing a lower tooth upward helps the new tooth grow tall and straight; throwing an upper tooth downward encourages downward growth.
The Ritual: In many Asian countries, children recite special chants while throwing their teeth:
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In Japan: "May my new tooth grow straight and strong like a mouse's tooth!"
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In Korea: Children call out to magpies or crows to bring them a new tooth
Why Mice? Children ask for teeth like a mouse because rodent teeth are sharp and continuously grow throughout their lives—a symbol of strength and health.
6. Middle East: Throwing Teeth to the Sun
The Tradition: In Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, and Sudan, children throw their lost teeth toward the sun or up into the sky as high as possible.
Ancient Origins: This tradition dates back at least to the 13th century when Islamic scholar Ibn Abi el-Hadid documented the practice. Children would throw their teeth skyward and pray for stronger, healthier adult teeth to replace them.
The Prayer: While throwing the tooth, children traditionally ask the sun (or Allah) to grant them a bright, strong new tooth in return.
7. Greece, Turkey & Mexico: Roof-Throwing with Animal Helpers
The Tradition: Similar to Asian countries, children in Greece, Turkey, and parts of Mexico throw teeth onto the roof of their house.
Animal Involvement:
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Greece: Children ask a mouse to take away their old tooth and bring a strong new one
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Turkey: Traditions vary by region—some invoke birds, others call upon mice
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Mexico: Children may ask birds to carry away their teeth
Turkish Career Connection: Turkey has a unique twist—parents sometimes bury their child's tooth in a location that reflects their hopes for the child's future. Want your child to become a doctor? Bury the tooth near a hospital. Hope they'll be a teacher? Place it near a school. This tradition connects the child's physical growth with their future aspirations.
8. South Africa & Eswatini: The Tooth in the Slipper
The Tradition: Children place their lost tooth in a shoe or slipper before going to bed. During the night, the Tandemuis (Tooth Mouse) takes the tooth and leaves money or a small gift inside the shoe.
Why Shoes? This tradition may be more practical than mystical—it's easier for parents to access a shoe at the foot of the bed than to risk waking a child by reaching under their pillow!
9. South America: Tooth Jewelry
The Tradition: In several South American countries, families create lasting keepsakes by turning baby teeth into jewelry. The tooth is cleaned, sometimes coated in gold or silver, and made into a pendant, charm, or bracelet.
The Meaning: Rather than exchanging the tooth for money, families preserve it as a physical reminder of their child's growth. It's especially common for first teeth, turning a milestone into wearable art.
Modern Take: Some families combine this tradition with others—the Tooth Fairy or mouse might leave money for some teeth while the first tooth gets the jewelry treatment.
10. Mongolia & Central Asia: Feeding Teeth to Dogs
The Tradition: In Mongolia and some Central Asian countries, children wrap their lost tooth in meat or fat and feed it to the family dog.
The Belief: By giving the tooth to a dog—an animal known for powerful, healthy teeth—children hope their new adult teeth will grow in equally strong. It's a direct symbolic transfer of dental strength!
Alternative: If the family doesn't have a dog, some traditions involve burying the tooth next to a tree, with the hope that the new tooth will have strong roots like the tree.
11. Afghanistan: The Animal Burrow Method
The Tradition: Afghan children place their lost tooth near a mouse hole, rat burrow, or other small animal dwelling.
The Reasoning: Like the Mongolian dog tradition, this practice stems from the belief that rodents have exceptionally strong teeth. By offering their tooth to these animals, children symbolically request powerful adult teeth in return.
12. Nordic Countries: Named Tooth Fairies
The Tradition: While Nordic countries follow traditions similar to the American Tooth Fairy, their fairy has specific local names:
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Iceland: Tönn ævintýri (Tooth Adventure)
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Norway: Tannfe
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Sweden: Tandfe
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Germany, Switzerland & Austria: Zahnfee
Ancient Roots: The concept of honoring lost teeth in Norse culture dates back over a thousand years. According to the Norse poem Grímnismál from the Poetic Edda, the god Freyr received the entire realm of the elves (Alfheim) as a gift for his first lost tooth!
Why Do So Many Cultures Have Mice?
You might have noticed that mice appear in tooth traditions across the world—from France to Spain to South Africa. Why mice?
The Mouse Connection: Historians believe mice became associated with baby teeth for several practical reasons:
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Continuously Growing Teeth: Rodent teeth never stop growing, making them a powerful symbol of dental strength and health
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Small and Sneaky: Mice can slip into rooms unnoticed—perfect for a nighttime tooth collection operation
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Common Household Animals: Mice were present in homes across cultures, making them a relatable figure for children
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Ancient Beliefs: In many cultures, if an animal found a child's lost tooth, the new tooth would resemble that animal's teeth. Parents naturally preferred their children to have strong mouse teeth rather than weak human baby teeth!
What Happened to the Tooth Fairy in English-Speaking Countries?
If mice were so common in tooth traditions, why does the English-speaking world have a fairy instead? Historians believe the American Tooth Fairy represents a unique blend of two traditions:
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The European Mouse: The tooth-collecting rodent tradition that spread across Europe
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The Good Fairy: A general European folklore figure that migrated to America
The shift from mouse to fairy likely happened in the early 20th century, coinciding with the rise of fairy tales in popular culture. Disney's animated films featuring good fairies—like the Blue Fairy in "Pinocchio" (1940) and the Fairy Godmother in "Cinderella" (1950)—may have reinforced the fairy image over the mouse.
Creating Your Own Family Tooth Tradition
With so many fascinating customs around the world, you might feel inspired to create something unique for your family! Here are some ideas:
Blend Traditions: Combine elements from different cultures. Maybe the Tooth Fairy leaves money, but also a tiny note in French from "La Petite Souris"?
Educational Opportunity: Use tooth loss as a chance to teach your child about other cultures. Read stories about Ratoncito Pérez or watch videos about how children in Japan throw their teeth.
Create Meaning: Like the Turkish tradition of career-connected burial sites, add personal significance to your family's ritual. Maybe teeth lost during summer go in a "vacation teeth jar" while school-year teeth get special certificates?
Document the Journey: Keep a tooth chart showing when and where each tooth was lost, what the Tooth Fairy left, and any special memories from that day.
Make It Personal: Write letters from the Tooth Fairy that incorporate elements from your family's heritage. If you have Mexican ancestry, maybe the Tooth Fairy mentions she's friends with Ratoncito Pérez!
Want to Make Tooth Loss Extra Special?
No matter which tradition your family follows, you can add extra magic with personalized touches that your child will treasure forever.
→ Get a Personalized Video Message from Kiki the Tooth Fairy
Imagine your child's excitement when they receive a custom video message from Kiki herself, celebrating their lost tooth and encouraging good dental habits! Whether you follow the traditional Tooth Fairy, El Ratoncito Pérez, or create your own family custom, a personalized video makes every lost tooth so much more memorable.
Or checkout our guide to writing the perfect tooth fairy letter.
The Universal Message Behind Every Tradition
Whether it's a fairy, a mouse, a bird, or the sun itself, every culture's tooth tradition shares the same core values:
Celebrating Growth: Losing baby teeth marks a child's transition from toddler to "big kid"—a rite of passage worthy of recognition
Easing Fear: What could be scary (a body part falling out!) becomes magical and exciting
Teaching Care: Most traditions encourage children to keep teeth clean and healthy—whether for the Tooth Fairy's castle, strong mouse-like teeth, or simply pride in their smile
Creating Memories: These rituals give families special moments to share, building traditions that children remember their entire lives
Building Cultural Identity: Tooth traditions connect children to their heritage and teach them that different cultures have different—but equally valid—ways of celebrating the same milestone
The Bottom Line
From American fairies to Spanish mice, from Asian roof-throwing to Middle Eastern sun-tossing, the world's tooth traditions are as diverse as the cultures that created them. Yet they all serve the same beautiful purpose: transforming a potentially scary childhood experience into something magical, meaningful, and memorable.
So the next time your child loses a tooth, remember—you're not just participating in a family tradition. You're connecting to a global tapestry of customs that spans centuries and continents, all celebrating the simple wonder of growing up.
What tooth tradition does your family follow? Why not create a custom letter explaining where your Tooth Fairy learned her trade—perhaps she trained with La Petite Souris in France or studied under Ratoncito Pérez in Spain?
→ Download Free Tooth Fairy Letter Templates
The magic is limited only by your imagination!
Sources:
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Spokesman-Review: Origins of the Tooth Fairy https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2020/aug/19/origins-of-the-tooth-fairy-one-tradition-first-ros/
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Glow Pediatric Dentistry: Tooth Fairy Traditions from Around the World https://glowpediatricdentistry.ca/tooth-fairy-traditions-from-around-the-world-how-cultures-celebrate-childhood-milestones/
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Frenchly: A Visit from La Petite Souris https://frenchly.us/la-petite-souris-the-french-tooth-fairy/
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Must Love Kids: 7 Fascinating Tooth Fairy Traditions https://mustlovekids.com/blog/fun-for-kids/7-fascinating-tooth-fairy-traditions/
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Salon: Don't Tell the Kids: The Real History of the Tooth Fairy https://www.salon.com/2014/02/09/dont_tell_the_kids_the_real_history_of_the_tooth_fairy/
