Why the tooth fairy is a modern invention rooted in ancient dental anxieties

Art · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: While we associate the tooth fairy with childhood innocence, the tradition is a surprisingly recent invention. Before the 20th century, children were often instructed to burn or bury their baby teeth to protect them from witches or avoid an eternal search for them in the afterlife.

The earliest recorded mention of the tooth fairy appears in a 1908 Chicago Daily Tribune column, which suggested mothers use the myth to encourage children to part with loose teeth. This was later solidified by playwright Esther Watkins Arnold, who in 1927 introduced an elf-like creature that flew to collect milk teeth. Unlike the rigid iconography of Santa Claus, the tooth fairy remains a shapeshifter; a 1984 study found that while most people imagine a female figure, others envision a mouse, a bunny, or even a cigar-smoking man.

The evolution of this myth reflects shifting economic and cultural values. In the United States, payouts have historically tracked with the S&P 500, rising from an average of $1.30 in 1998 to $6.23 by 2023, though recent volatility has seen these numbers fluctuate. Parents often use the ritual to comfort children during the pain of losing teeth, while simultaneously clinging to the belief as a sign that their child is not yet fully grown. It is a delicate balance of fantasy and parental guidance, often involving notes praising good dental hygiene.

Globally, the tradition takes many forms, often centered on animals rather than fairies. In Spain and Latin America, the mouse El Ratoncito Pérez—created in 1894 for King Alfonso XIII—is the standard, while other cultures look to squirrels, magpies, or even saints. In Italy, Saint Apollonia, the patron saint of dentistry, is sometimes invoked. Whether through a fairy or a mouse, these rituals serve as a bridge between the physical reality of growing up and the comfort of childhood make-believe, helping children navigate the transition from baby teeth to adulthood.

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