What is the history behind the tradition of tooth fairy?

Answer 1

Centuries ago, in Europe it was a common practice when a child's baby tooth fell out (primary tooth), to bury it in the ground. It was done so that a new tooth (permanent tooth) would grow in its place. The other reason for this ritual was the superstition, that if a witch got a hold of the tooth, a curse could be placed on the child, (as with fingernail clippings and/or hair). So by burying their children's teeth, this unfortunate curse was prevented from happening.

Anyway, as people migrated to this country, many of the same beliefs and superstitions followed them. However, since most of the people now found themselves living n towns and cities, bare land wasn't as plentiful. So they began placing the teeth in small flowerpots, or planter boxes. Eventually this rite too changed, and the fallen out tooth was placed under a child's pillow, where the parents switched the tooth (always in the middle of the night) for a treat or a coin.

Of course the curious children wanted to know what happened to their small teeth. And since children love to hear stories, their parents explained to them who was actually removing their teeth and leaving the treat in its place. The Tooth Fairy was born. All children grew to love this rite of passage, and the coming of the Tooth Fairy.

Some how, when parents are late to give the treat in, the parents say stuff like "the tooth fairy is on holaday" or other lame excuses

Answer 2

OK, first off, the tooth fairy is a legend, not a myth.

In early European cultures, it was a tradition to bury baby teeth that fell out. When a child's sixth tooth fell out, it was the custom for parents to slip a gift or money from the 'tooth fairy' under the child's pillow, but to leave the tooth as a reward.

In Germanic Europe there was also the tradition of the tann-fé or 'tooth fee', which was paid when a child lost their first tooth. This tradition is recorded in writings as early as the Eddas, which are ancient epic poems from the early Germanic cultures and are the earliest written record of Norse and Northern Germanic traditions.

Answer 3

some kid needed money!haha