Early Folklore and Myths About Lost Teeth

The American Tooth Fairy didn’t appear out of thin air. She was inspired by bits of older traditions. In Europe, people told stories about “good fairies” who gave small gifts, and in France, a little mouse called La Petite Souris traded teeth for coins. Put those ideas together, add American creativity, and you get the Tooth Fairy as a kind, winged visitor.

By the mid-1900s, the Tooth Fairy appeared in books, cartoons and ads, quickly becoming one of America’s favorite magical characters.

How the Tooth Fairy Came to America

The idea of the Tooth Fairy in America is pretty new compared to other folk stories. In fact, people have shared tales about lost teeth for centuries, but the American Tooth Fairy started showing up in the early 1900s.In 1908, the Chicago Daily Tribune shared a short tip for parents: If your child is scared about losing a tooth, tell them to put it under their pillow so a fairy can leave a coin. Children loved the idea (because, hello, free money!), and soon it became a popular tradition.

By 1927, a children’s play called The Tooth Fairy by Esther Watkins Arnold was being performed in schools. This helped turn the simple idea into a well-known tradition. Soon, the image of a tiny fairy with a wand and a bag for teeth became a popular bedtime story.

Why We Celebrate National Tooth Fairy Day Twice a Year  

Here’s a fun fact: National Tooth Fairy Day happens two times every year!

• February 28 (or 29 in leap years) marks the end of National Children’s Dental Health Month.
• August 22 is a reminder for kids to visit the dentist before school starts.

Both days celebrate healthy teeth and help keep the Tooth Fairy’s story alive all year long.

Printable Tooth Receipts & Door Hangers

Want to make your child’s next Tooth Fairy visit more magical? Add an official “tooth receipt” or a special door hanger to announce her visit. These small extras make the tooth swap feel exciting and give kids proof that the Tooth Fairy was there. You can fill out the receipts with your child’s name, the date and the amount left. Hang the sign on their bedroom door so they wake up to a surprise. Print out the free PDFs and watch their face light up when they see the Tooth Fairy’s “official” paperwork!

Over the years, the Tooth Fairy has gone from a simple newspaper idea to a fun childhood tradition. Whether she leaves a coin, a bill or a bit of glitter, her real magic is turning a loose tooth into a happy memory.