Do Other Countries Believe In The Tooth Fairy?

We all know the vaunted Tooth Fairy—that mythical creature which seems to bring unimaginable joy to children the world over. But do other countries believe in the Tooth Fairy too?

The answer is a resounding yes! Every culture has its own unique version of the Tooth Fairy, from the United States to Europe, Asia, and beyond. With each country comes a different name, folklore and symbolism—but the purpose is the same: to bring a smile to a child’s face when their tooth falls out. Read on to discover the fascinating customs behind the tooth fairy tradition in different countries.

The United States

The US is where the Tooth Fairy originates. In its most classic sense, the Tooth Fairy is usually depicted as a fairy-like creature who visits while a child is asleep, collecting lost teeth from under the pillow in exchange for a token gift, such as coins or a small toy. It is thought that the tradition of the Tooth Fairy was first written about in literature in 1927, and the time-honored Tooth Fairy has been a childhood staple ever since.

Canada

Children in Canada celebrate a similar tradition to their counterparts in the US. They know the Tooth Fairy as the Tooth Fairy or the Tooth Mouse, who will bring them a small gift or coin if they leave a fallen tooth beneath their pillow. The Canadian tooth fairy is often thought to be accompanied by a character called the Tooth Mouse, who will give a small reward in return.

Europe

Europe often has different names for their version of the Tooth Fairy. In France and Italy, the Tooth Fairy is known as the ‘Little Mouse of Teeth’ (or La Petite Souris Des Dents). This character is said to come collect the teeth in exchange for a token present. In Germany, the Tooth Fairy is usually referred to as the ‘Tooth Mouse’ or Zahnmaus. In the UK, the Tooth Fairy typically leaves coins or tokens in exchange for children’s teeth.

Asia

In Japan the Tooth Fairy is called Haha-chichi-bō, who is essentially the tooth-collecting goblin. In Japan, the Tooth Fairy does not bring a reward but it is thought to bring luck. Other Asian countries such as India and China believe that a child’s tooth should be buried in the ground or thrown into a river, as it is seen as a symbol of fertility and health.

South America

In Latin America and South America, the Tooth Fairy is known as Ratoncito Perez, or ‘Little Mouse Perez’. This mouse-like character is said to collect the tooth if it is placed under the pillow—however, in some South American countries he is known to leave a different item instead of coins: a small toy that is relevant to the tooth being lost, such as teddy bears or dolls.

Australia

In Australia, the Tooth Fairy is believed to be a smaller version of the Tooth Mouse, although he is not as well-known as his American counterpart. This mouse-like creature typically leaves coins or small trinkets in exchange for the teeth, as is the tradition with many countries.

Africa

Africa has a unique take on the Tooth Fairy. While it does not have a Tooth Fairy in the traditional sense, it has a selection of mythical characters and legends, such as the Sunjata epic which originates from Mali. In the epic, Sunjata is taken to the home of a mythical creature which listens to children crying and exchanges their missing teeth in exchange for a magical token.

The Tooth Fairy Around The World

The Tooth Fairy is a popular tradition around the world—albeit with many different names, cultures and customs. In the United States, Canada, Europe and Australia, a missing tooth will be exchanged by a mythical creature for coins or small trinkets and toys. In Asia, Japan, India and China it is believed that a lost tooth should be buried in the ground or thrown into a river for good luck. In Latin and South America, Ratoncito Perez, a tooth-collecting mouse, is the Tooth Fairy replacement, leaving toy figures and small trinkets in exchange for teeth. Finally, in Africa, there are numerous mythical creatures that have been passed down through generations on the tradition of the Tooth Fairy, including Sunjata from the Mali epic.

Regardless of the version being celebrated, the Tooth Fairy serves an important purpose in bringing a child joy when they lose a tooth. From the US to Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa and beyond, the Tooth Fairy has a long and rich history that brings the same amount of comfort and joy to children all around the world.