National Tooth Fairy Day

National Tooth Fairy Day celebrates one of childhood's favorite visitors. The Tooth Fairy is an American tradition with European and superstitious roots.

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 lose, 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 it into a "tooth box". At bedtime, the child puts the tooth under his 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 grandmas, or on vacation.

Male or female? There is ongoing debate whether the the Tooth Fairy is a male or a female. But, it's pretty obvious. "She" is most definitely a female.

Our research did not find the creator, or the origin of this day. The tooth fairy dates back hundreds of years, probably to at least medievil times. We were amazed that the tooth fairy was not found in the encyclopedia.