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      • Adult Orthodontic Treatment by Dr. Steven Harrison
      • Orthodontics for Teens
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      • Emergency Care
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        • Traditional Braces
        • Clear Aligners
        • Clear Ceramic Braces
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      • Implant-Supported Dentures
      • X-Guide Imaging Machine for Dental Implants
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      • Dental Care for Your Baby
      • Thumb Sucking
      • Tooth Decay
      • Cavities
      • Tooth Extractions
      • Pediatric Dental FAQs
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      • ICON White Spot Treatment
      • Botox
      • Teeth Whitening
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        • Invisalign at Parkcrest
        • Teen Invisalign
      • Bridges
      • Crowns
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      • Dentures
      • Cosmetic Dentistry FAQs
  • New Patients
    • Tour Our Office
    • Financial Information
    • Parkcrest Dental Group Testimonials
    • Patient Forms
  • Sedation Dentistry
  • Preventive Care
    • Parkcrest Dental Group Brushing & Flossing Tips
    • Orthodontic Dentistry: Brushing & Flossing with Braces
    • Parkcrest Dental Group Radiology
    • General Dentistry & Oral Cancer Screening
    • Sealants at the Parkcrest Dental Group
    • General Dentistry & Fluoride
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    • Meet the Team
    • Meet Dr. Scott
    • Meet Dr. Ropka
    • Meet Dr. Harrison
    • Meet Dr. Hall
    • Meet Dr. Fannin
    • Meet Dr. Dills
    • Meet Dr. Sponenberg
    • Meet Dr. Snider
    • Meet Dr. Allie
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    • What Sets Us Apart
    • 50th Anniversary
  • Contact Us
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History of the Tooth Fairy

  • February 28, 2019
  • 8:45 am
  • Pediatric
  • Parkcrest Dental
  • Parkcrest Dental Group

It’s a common American tradition that when a child loses a tooth, the tooth collector known as the tooth fairy comes to pay a visit. While the method of disposing lost teeth isn’t exactly new, the idea of the tooth fairy is relatively recent. Parkcrest Dental looks at the history of the tooth fairy and how a story became a reality.

The Tooth Fairy Across The Globe

In most parts of the world, there are many myths that discuss the disposal of baby teeth in different cultures.

Spain: In the late 1800s a character named Ratoncito Perez was known as the collector of teeth. When a child lost a tooth, it was customary for a child to place their tooth under their pillow and Ratoncito would exchange the tooth for a gift.

Italy: In Italy, the tooth fairy’s role was actually played by a small mouse called Topolino.

France: In Belgium, the tooth fairy was known as a little white mouse who bought children’s teeth in exchange for coins.

Japan: In Japan, children would throw lost upper teeth straight into the ground and lower teeth up into the air. They did this with hope that their incoming teeth would come in straight.

American Tooth Fairy

The American version of the tooth fairy is widely believed to have taken shape due to the production of fairies being publicized in books and pop culture. The earliest American discussion of the tooth fairy appeared in a children’s book by Esther Watkins Arnold in 1927. Ever since then, the legend of the tooth fairy has taken on many different roles. Some children believe that the tooth fairy uses teeth to build a giant tooth castle.

Should My Child Believe?

When a child loses a tooth, parents begin to discuss the expectations regarding tooth fairy visits. Should they participate in the legend? That’s up to parents to decide. Children typically begin losing baby teeth around the ages of 5 and 8. By the time all the adult teeth have come in, a child would have lost 20 baby teeth. Some things to consider when thinking about telling your child about the tooth fairy:

It Encourages Good Dental Habits

Many children dread brushing their teeth at a young age. Introducing the tooth fairy to them gives an incentive to develop good brushing habits while getting a small reward.

Make The Experience Magical

When you’re able to take on the role of the tooth fairy, you have the opportunity to make it fun! Buy your child a special pillow to use when the tooth fairy comes or write a note for them in fancy handwriting. Even adding a little of bit of glitter on their pillow to pose as fairy dust is a small touch you can add.

You Don’t Have To Give Cash

If money is tight, there are other options than giving your child money. Rewards for lost teeth can take many shapes and forms. Think of a trip to the park or a later bedtime. You can get creative when it comes to the tooth fairy since there isn’t a specific set of rules you have to follow. Make it unique to your child!

Take Your Child To Parkcrest Dental

Parkcrest Dental specializes in pediatric dentistry and will make any child feel right at home if it’s their first visit to the dentist. Contact us online or visit us at our Springfield, MO location to learn more about how to get your child excited about their dental care.

Meet Some Dentists in Springfield, MO

Dr. Stuart Scott (top left) is our pediatric dentist. He earned his degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry before completing a two-year residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

Dr. Steven Harrison (top right) is board-certified by the American Board of Orthodontics. Dr. Harrison, our orthodontist, graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry. He’s been with Parkcrest Dental Group since 1986.

Dr. Chanin Ropka (center left) attended UMKC before joining the United States Navy, where she served as the only dentist on board the USS Germantown and at Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego. Dr. Ropka began at Parkcrest Dental in 2001.

Dr. Daniel Fannin (center right) graduated from UMKC School of Dentistry in 1997. He completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry Residency in 1998 before joining Parkcrest Dental Group that same year.

Dr. Steven C. Sponenberg (bottom left) has been a Springfieldian his entire life. He graduated from Creighton University School of Dentistry in Omaha, Nebraska, in 2004 before joining Parkcrest Dental Group immediately after.

Dr. Jason Hall (bottom right) is also a native Springfieldian. He earned his DDS from the University of Missouri at Kansas City Dental School in 1997. He came to Parkcrest Dental Group in 2010. Dr. Hall’s father, Stan, is also a dentist.

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