National Tooth Fairy Day

National Tooth Fairy Day (February Date) History

National Tooth Fairy Day in February celebrates the tradition of the Tooth Fairy while promoting children's dental health. It provides an opportunity for parents and educators to encourage good oral hygiene habits in a fun and engaging way, making the experience of losing baby teeth a positive one for children.

The concept of the Tooth Fairy has roots in European folklore, where various customs involved burying baby teeth or offering tokens for their safe passage. Over time, this evolved into the modern practice of a magical fairy who exchanges a lost tooth placed under a child's pillow for a small gift or money. This tradition not only eases the anxiety children may feel about losing a tooth but also adds a sense of wonder and excitement to the process.

Important aspects of National Tooth Fairy Day include educational activities, dental check-ups, and community events that highlight the significance of maintaining healthy teeth from an early age. Dentists and schools often participate by providing resources and programs focused on oral care. National Tooth Fairy Day is observed on February 28th, with a second celebration on August 22nd, offering two annual reminders of the importance of children's dental health.

Top 10 Facts for National Tooth Fairy Day (1 of 2) in 2026

• The modern concept of the Tooth Fairy is a relatively recent mythological development that only became a widespread cultural phenomenon in the United States after World War II.
• One of the earliest literary precursors to the figure is found in the 18th-century French fairy tale La Bonne Petite Souris, which features a magical mouse that transforms into a fairy to help a queen by hiding under an evil king’s pillow to steal his teeth.
• In many Spanish-speaking countries, the role of the tooth collector is traditionally played by a mouse known as El Ratoncito Pérez, a character created by author Luis Coloma in 1894 for the young King Alfonso XIII.
• Ancient Norse and Scandinavian warriors practiced a tradition called tand-fé or "tooth fee," where children were paid for their lost teeth so the teeth could be worn as good luck charms in battle.
• Medieval Europeans often burned or buried baby teeth due to a superstition that if a witch obtained a child's tooth, they could gain total hexing power over that person.
• The first known print reference to the "Tooth Fairy" in the United States appeared in an 1908 edition of the Chicago Daily Tribune, suggesting a small gift-giver who visited children during the night.
• While the traditional American image is a winged pixie, the character has been reimagined in modern cinema as a powerful "Guardian of Memories" in the film Rise of the Guardians and as a vengeful spirit in the horror movie Darkness Falls.
• Anthropologists suggest the tradition serves as a form of paternalistic deception intended to provide comfort and celebrate a child's milestone during the potentially frightening experience of losing a body part.
• Annual surveys by financial institutions, such as the Delta Dental Tooth Fairy Survey, track the average "going rate" for a tooth, which often fluctuates in alignment with the performance of the S&P 500.
• In some Middle Eastern and Asian cultures, instead of a fairy visit, children follow an ancient custom of throwing their lost teeth toward the sun or onto the roof of their home to ensure the new tooth grows in strong and straight.

In the News and Trending for National Tooth Fairy Day

Top things to do for this observance

• If you have a children's museum nearby, they may offer programs or exhibits related to dental health and dental care. These interactive exhibits can make learning fun for kids.
• Many local libraries may host storytime sessions featuring books about the Tooth Fairy or dental health. Check with your local library for themed events or reading sessions in February.
• Watch a movie about Tooth Fairies. Our picks:
  Rise of the Guardians (2012)
  Toothless (1997)
  The Tooth Fairy (2006)