National Tooth Fairy Day celebrates one of childhood’s favorite visitors. The Tooth Fairy is an American tradition with several European and superstitious roots. There are two National Tooth Fairy Days. There is ongoing debate whether this is a February 28 holiday, or if it is to be celebrated on August 22. I know! Let’s celebrate it on both dates. 

Losing baby teeth is a sometimes-traumatic experience for young children. Enter the world of the friendly, smiling, and soothing Tooth Fairy. As a young child’s first baby tooth becomes loose, the child often fears losing it. The promise of a visit from the tooth fairy and a gift, turns the occasion into something to look forward to. When the tooth finally falls out, mom cleans it off. It is often put into a “tooth box”. At bedtime, the child puts the tooth under his or her pillow. The tooth fairy comes after the child falls asleep. She takes the tooth and leaves a small gift, usually money. The tooth fairy leaves a gift every time the child loses a tooth.

Never fear: If the tooth is literally lost in some way, don’t worry. The Tooth Fairy always knows, and will still leave a gift. She magically knows each time a baby tooth falls out, and will arrive that night, even if the child is away at grandma, or on vacation.

Male or female? There is an ongoing debate about whether the Tooth Fairy is a male or a female. But it’s pretty obvious. “She” is most definitely a female.

Did You Know? The Tooth fairy delivers over 700 million dollars a year to children in the U.S., in exchange for a child’s baby teeth.