Reading Time: 9 minutes
"What does the Tooth Fairy DO with my tooth?"
Oh boy. If you've got kids between ages 5 and 10, you've definitely been hit with this question. Probably multiple times. Picture it: 6am on a Tuesday, kid standing there with a tooth clutched in their tiny fist, and you're just blinking like a deer in headlights.
Because think about it—the Tooth Fairy's been at this for over a century now. Millions of kids. Twenty baby teeth each. That's… A LOT. So where do they all GO?
Does she have some massive warehouse situation? A tooth museum? Does she... eat them?
Turns out, there are actually tons of different stories about what happens to all those teeth. And honestly? They're pretty creative. We’'ve rounded up the eight most popular explanations that parents share with their kids—some traditional, some totally wild, and all of them kind of genius in their own way.
1. She's Building a Castle (Obviously)
Okay, this is the big one. The classic. Most people believe the Tooth Fairy uses teeth to build her castle —and not just any castle. We're talking towers that sparkle in moonlight, a moat that shimmers like diamonds, the whole fairytale situation.
But here's the thing about baby teeth: They're actually incredibly strong for their size. There's collagen in them that makes them extremely durable and resistant. So from an engineering standpoint, they'd actually make pretty decent building materials for a tiny fairy kingdom.
Now, the Tooth Fairy isn't just randomly throwing teeth together. Apparently she's pretty picky—only the strongest, cleanest, whitest teeth make it into the castle walls. Teeth with cavities? Different story. (We'll get to that in a minute.)
What else does she build? According to the stories floating around:
• Schools where baby fairies learn to fly (adorable)
• Fairy playgrounds (even more adorable)
• Amusement parks for celebrations
• Roads connecting different parts of the fairy world
• Libraries where she keeps records of every tooth ever collected
And here's the clever part for parents: This whole castle story is genius for encouraging kids to brush their teeth. I mean, what kid doesn't want THEIR tooth in the Tooth Fairy's castle? Works like a charm.
2. Grinding Them Into Fairy Dust
Right, so remember those cavity teeth that don't make the cut for castle construction? They don't just get tossed. They get ground up into fairy dust.
Think about it—every fairy needs fairy dust to fly, right? To disappear, slip through walls, do all that magical stuff. Well, it has to come from somewhere.
Here's how it works: The Tooth Fairy takes teeth that aren't strong enough for building (ones with cavities, dark spots, or just generally not in great shape) and grinds them down into this sparkly magical powder. Then she distributes it to all the other tooth fairies around the world so they can do their jobs.
The fairy dust helps them:
• Fly silently through closed windows
• Turn invisible so kids don't see them
• Sneak teeth out from under pillows without waking anyone
• Leave that telltale sparkle behind (you know, the "proof")
Pro tip: Want to really sell the fairy dust story? Sprinkle the tiniest bit of glitter near the pillow. (Just... a tiny bit. Unless you want glitter everywhere forever.)
3. They Become Stars (This One's Pretty Beautiful)
This explanation is genuinely beautifu.
Some stories say the Tooth Fairy takes teeth and turns them into stars. She polishes them until they gleam super bright, waves her wand, and—whoosh—up they go into the night sky where they become those twinkling lights we see.
So theoretically, when a kid looks up at the stars at night, one of them could be their tooth. Their actual baby tooth. Just... floating up there in space, part of the cosmos now.
Tell a kid this story and watch them spend the next week staring at the sky trying to figure out which star is theirs. It's sweet. And kind of exhausting. But mostly sweet.
Kids love this explanation because it makes them feel important. Their tiny tooth isn't just disappearing into the void—it's becoming something permanent and beautiful that everyone can see. That's pretty cool when you're six years old and feeling small in a big world.
4. She Keeps One From Every Kid (Actually So Sweet)
Okay, this one kind of hits different when you first hear it.
Apparently the Tooth Fairy saves one tooth from every single child she visits . Just one. She puts it in this golden bubble with the kid's name on it and keeps it in her castle forever.
Why? Because she thinks every tooth, and every kid, is special and unique. She wants to remember each child she's visited. There's supposedly this whole library or museum in her castle where all these little golden bubbles float around, each one holding a tooth and a memory.
"But wait," you're thinking, "what about all the OTHER teeth? Doesn't she need those for the castle and fairy dust and stuff?"
YES. And here's the math that makes this work: There are roughly 8 billion people on Earth. Each person loses about 20 baby teeth. So that's... a lot of teeth. She's got plenty to work with even after keeping one from each kid.
What's beautiful about this story is it tells kids they're not just a number. They're not just one of millions. The Tooth Fairy actually REMEMBERS them personally. She kept a piece of them forever.
5. She Gives Them to Dentists (Wait, What?)
This one's a weird plot twist, but hold on.
Some versions of the story say the Tooth Fairy helps dentists by providing materials for dental implants and crowns.When adults need fake teeth, the Tooth Fairy supplies the goods from her vault of pristine children's teeth.
Is this how dental implants actually work? No. Absolutely not. But is it a clever way to connect magical fairytale stuff with real-world medicine? Kind of yeah.
Kids find this FASCINATING. There are stories of kids asking their grandparents if their crowns were made from a kid's tooth, and the grandparents just going with it. The kids are absolutely thrilled.
It's also a sneaky way to show kids that their teeth have real value, even after they fall out. And it makes the Tooth Fairy seem less... hoarding-ish? Like she's not just collecting teeth for herself—she's out here helping people.
6. Recycling Teeth for New Babies
This is probably the most eco-friendly explanation.
The idea is that the Tooth Fairy takes your child's lost tooth and recycles it to help new babies grow their first teeth. Like a circle of life thing, but for teeth.
Think about it: Flowers drop seeds that become new flowers. So why wouldn't teeth work the same way? Your kid's baby tooth becomes the seed for some other baby's first tooth. Full circle.
Kids who are becoming big siblings absolutely love this story. It connects their milestone (losing teeth, getting bigger) with the new baby's milestone (growing teeth, just starting out). It makes them feel like they're helping. Which, let's be real, is sometimes the only way to get older kids excited about a new baby joining the family.
Plus it sneaks in a lesson about recycling and sustainability without being preachy about it. Nothing goes to waste. Everything has a purpose. Very wholesome.
7. She Gifts Them to Other Fairies
So apparently in the fairy world, teeth are fairy currency? Fairy treasures? The Tooth Fairy doesn't hoard them all for herself, she shares the wealth.
Why are teeth so valuable to fairies?
• They're super strong despite being tiny
• They contain "the essence of human childhood" (which is pretty poetic!)
• Each one is unique, like a collectible
• They have multiple uses—building materials, magic ingredients, decorations
There's supposedly an entire fairy economy running on teeth. Dream Fairies get paid in teeth for banishing nightmares. Nature fairies use them for seasonal stuff. There's even a weekly "fairy dust stipend" that all working fairies receive.
8. Creating Art and Decorations
Last but not least: Maybe the Tooth Fairy is just really artsy.
According to some stories, she uses teeth to create beautiful decorations all over her castle and the fairy realm:
• Chandeliers that glow with natural tooth luminescence
• Mosaics on castle walls showing scenes from childhood
• Jewelry for special fairy ceremonies
• Wind chimes that make musical sounds
• Sculptures commemorating important fairy events
The golden bubbles make a comeback here too. In the fanciest version of this story, each tooth floats around the castle in its own golden bubble, labeled with the kid's name. So you've got thousands of these glowing bubbles drifting through the castle halls like a living art installation.
She supposedly uses this as a teaching tool. Young fairies tour the tooth displays to learn about human children before they start collecting teeth themselves.
It's basically a combination art museum, history museum, and training facility. Very efficient.
Making It Extra Magical (Without Breaking the Bank)
Okay, so now you know what the Tooth Fairy supposedly does with all those teeth. But how do you make it feel REAL for your kid?
We have some awesome solutions to make the magic feel real every step of the way
Track the Tooth Fairy in real-time. Use the free Tooth Fairy Tracker to follow Kiki the Tooth Fairy’s journey on the big night! Kids can watch as the Tooth Fairy makes her way to your house in real-time, building excitement and making the whole experience even more magical.
Write little notes. Don't just leave money leave a note too! You can download one of our free Tooth Fairy letter templates or write something specific in tiny handwriting. Takes two minutes. Kids remember it forever. We have an entire guide on how to write the perfect tooth fairy letter - it’s worth checking out if you’re low on inspiration.
Try a video message. imagine your child receiving a personalized video from Kiki the Tooth Fairy where she says their actual name. That’s the best way to amp the magic to the maximum.
→ Get your complete Tooth Fairy kit—tracker, letters, and custom video—all in one place.
Kids grow up fast. It’s worth making these moments extra magical.
Which Story Should You Actually Tell Your Kid?
There's no wrong answer.
You can pick one and stick with it. Some parents like consistency—every tooth gets the same explanation throughout all 20 teeth.
You can mix it up. Maybe some teeth become stars, some build the castle, and really special ones (first tooth, molars) go in her personal collection. That's what some families do. Keeps it interesting.
Let your kid decide. Honestly? Sometimes the best move is asking THEM what they think happens. Kids come up with the most creative stuff. One kid decided the Tooth Fairy makes teeth into tiny boats that fairies sail around in. Is that a thing? No. Did it become canon in that family? Absolutely.
Use different stories to teach different things:
• Castle building → strong teeth are important
• Fairy dust from cavity teeth → this is what happens if you don't brush
• Recycling for babies → circle of life, sustainability
• The tooth museum → everyone is special and remembered
Built-in lessons. Very sneaky. Very effective.
The Secret Bonus: Why These Stories Actually Matter
Look, we could just tell kids "the Tooth Fairy takes them and that's that." But there's something really valuable about these elaborate explanations.
They ease fear. Losing a body part—even a tiny tooth—can genuinely scare little kids. These stories flip it from scary to exciting.
They mark growing up. Losing baby teeth is literally one of the first big physical changes of childhood. These stories help kids feel proud instead of sad about it.
They teach value. When you explain that the Tooth Fairy needs teeth for important magical work, kids learn their "small" tooth actually matters to someone.
They build imagination. At an age when imaginative play is crucial for development, these fantastical stories encourage creative thinking.
They create family moments. Years from now, your kid might not remember exactly how much money they got per tooth. But they'll remember the stories you told them. The magic you created together.
And honestly? That's the whole point.
FAQ (Because You're Definitely Wondering)
Q: What if my kid asks which story is actually true?
Just be honest: "Nobody really knows what the Tooth Fairy does with all those teeth—it's one of her best-kept secrets! But what do YOU think she does with them?" Boom. Magic preserved, imagination engaged.
Q: Can my child keep their tooth instead of giving it to the Tooth Fairy?
YES! Totally fine! Lots of families keep the first tooth or other special ones. Just tell the kid the Tooth Fairy understands and will leave the money anyway. Some families keep teeth in tiny ceramic boxes or special containers. Kids love knowing their tooth was saved.
Q: What if the Tooth Fairy straight-up forgets to come?
(She's busy! She's tired! She's human! ...wait.)
Don't panic. Tell your kid she must have had a really busy night and she'll come tonight instead. We actually wrote a whole article about this with creative excuses (link to: /blogs/kikis-blog/forgot-tooth-fairy-fixes) because it happens to literally everyone.
Q: My kid swallowed their tooth. Now what?
Have them write a note explaining what happened! The Tooth Fairy has magic—she knows when a tooth is lost even if she can't physically collect it. She'll still come. Crisis averted.
Q: How much should the Tooth Fairy actually leave?
Whatever works for your budget, honestly. National average is $5.01, but I've seen everything from 50 cents to $20. We broke down rates by region in another article (link to: /blogs/kikis-blog/how-much-does-the-tooth-fairy-pay-in-2025-complete-regional-breakdown) if you want specifics.
Q: When do kids stop believing?
Usually between 6 and 9, but some hang on longer (especially with younger siblings in the house). Let your kid lead the way. When they start asking direct questions, they're probably ready for the truth.
Q: Should I use the same story for every tooth?
You can! Or you can vary it based on the tooth's condition. Some families tell kids that perfect teeth go to the castle, teeth with tiny cavities become fairy dust, and really special teeth go in the museum. It actually reinforces good brushing habits.
Q: We don't traditionally celebrate the Tooth Fairy in our culture. Can we still do it?
Of course! Lots of cultures have different tooth traditions —some have mice instead of fairies, some throw teeth on roofs. You can adapt it however makes sense for your family, or create your own totally unique tradition. There are no rules here.
Here's the Real Magic
Whether the Tooth Fairy builds castles, creates stars, grinds fairy dust, or keeps a precious museum collection... the actual magic isn't in which story you choose.
It's in how you tell it. It's in the excitement on your kid's face. It's in turning something as mundane as losing a tooth into proof that wonder and mystery still exist in the world.
Next time a kid wiggles a loose tooth free and asks that inevitable question—"What's she gonna DO with it?"—you've got eight solid answers ready to go. Or let them make up their own. Either way, you're creating a memory.
And honestly? That's better than fairy dust.
Want to make it even more special? Use our tooth tracker, download some letter templates, and check out those custom video messages from Kiki. Makes the whole thing easier and way more magical.
Sources:
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Kitsap Kids Dentistry: Fun Things to Know About the Tooth Fairy https://kitsapkidsdentistry.com/fun-things-to-know-about-the-tooth-fairy/
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Burg Children's Dentistry: What Does the Tooth Fairy Do with Your Teeth? https://www.burgchildrensdentistry.com/what-does-the-tooth-fairy-do-with-your-teeth
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Kids Healthy Teeth: What Does Tooth Fairy Do? https://kidshealthyteeth.com/what-does-the-tooth-fairy-do/
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Madly Wish: What Does the Tooth Fairy Do with Teeth? https://www.madlywish.com/blogs/the-journal/what-does-the-tooth-fairy-do-with-teeth
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Kakar Dental Group: What Does The Tooth Fairy Do With All The Teeth? https://kakardentalgroup.com/blog/what-does-the-tooth-fairy-do-with-all-the-teeth/
