The Tooth Fairy Tale Of Different Countries

The Tooth Fairy Tale Of Different Countries

The tooth fairy is one of the many folk myths practiced in countries like the US, Germany, South Africa, Canada, Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Australia, New Zealand and the UK. In this myth, a fairy is supposed to leave a gift in return for a tooth left by a child. The child places the tooth below their pillow when they go to sleep, and the tooth fairy takes the tooth and leaves a gift, which is typically money.

This tradition is believed to come from Anglo-Saxon as well as Latin American cultures, although there are various tooth traditions in many cultures throughout the world. For instance, in countries where Spanish is spoken, the tooth “fairy” is typically a little mouse known as "ratón de los dientes". The character of "Ratoncito Pérez" was created by the Priest Luis Coloma around 1894. A tale with the character appeared in the tale of Vain Little Mouse.

The Tooth Fairy tradition can also be found in Italy where it is substituted by a small mouse called Topino, whereas in France, the character is known as La Petite Souris. In lowland Scotland, there is a traditional tale in which a white fairy rat purchases teeth with coins.

In many Asian countries like Korea and Vietnam, when a child loses a tooth from the lower jaw, he or she throws it on to the top of a roof. If it falls out from the upper jaw, it is placed beneath the floor, and in many parts of India, the tooth lost by young children are offered to the sun, wrapped in a tiny cotton rag.

There are many films that have been made that feature a tooth fairy character or some type of tradition about teeth. Some of them have been horror films, such as Darkness Falls, in which a woman who was killed long ago comes back as an evil spirit, takes the form of the Tooth Fairy, and keeps on haunting. Another film called The Tooth Fairy directed by Chuck Bowman is about a murderous woman who keeps on killing children for their teeth.

More positive and upbeat movies include the 1997 TV movie Toothless. In this movie, Kirstie Alley plays a dentist who unwillingly becomes the tooth fairy. Other productions on the theme include the 1991 children’s animated short film called Tooth Fairy.

About the Author

Lisa Howard is author of this article on Tooth fairy tales. Find more information about Tooth fairy traditions here.