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Tooth Fairy Traditions From Around the World

 

Last time dental implants Baton Rouge, LA provider Dr. Barksdale and the rest of his staff posted an article we talked about how fitting more seafood and fish into your regular diet could help improve your oral health. However today we want to talk about one legend that adults don’t really get to participate in; the tooth fairy.

When an adult loses a tooth, usually the last thing they do is head straight for their pillow and place it beneath in hopes that a fairy will take the tooth and leave a dollar behind. No, when an adult loses a tooth, the first thought is most likely along the lines of “oh no! How can I replace it as soon as possible? Does this mean I have to wear dentures now?” Luckily dental implants are here to solve nearly any adult tooth loss problem.

However, this doesn’t mean that grown-ups sometimes miss the days when a lost tooth meant a visit from a magical creature and a trip to the candy store the next day. So, in honor of our lost friend the Tooth Fairy, we have decided to write an article dedicated to various legends about her which we have gathered from around the world.

Mongolia

In this country, and through most of central Asia, It’s customary to place the baby tooth inside some fat and feed it to the family dog.

Why?

Because the goal is to have the adult tooth grow and be as strong as the god’s teeth.

What happens if there is no family dog? Bury the tooth near a tree so the adult tooth grows strong roots.

South Africa

South Africa’s Tooth Fairy traditions are very similar to the ones in the United States, however instead of placing the tooth under a pillow it is placed in a slipper.

Iraq, Jordan, and Egypt

In these middle eastern countries, children are taught to throw their baby teeth up into the air. This tradition has roots that lead all the way back to the 13th century.

France

In this country, instead of a fairy children are taught that a little mouse by the name of “La Bonne Petite Souris” will retrieve lost baby teeth from beneath pillows and replace them with money or sweet treats.

India, Japan, China, Korea, Vietnam

In these Asian countries, much like in Iraq, Jordan, and Egypt, kids are encouraged to throw their teeth around. Teeth from the lower jaw are thrown at the ceiling and teeth from the upper jaw are thrown at the ground. While doing this, children are also taught to shout a wish that the lost tooth be replaced by the tooth of a mouse.

We hope you have enjoyed these tooth fairy traditions from around the world as much as we have.

Until next time readers, try not to lose any teeth and keep smiling.

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