Tooth Fairy Traditions
Ever hear of the 'tooth mouse'?
Whether it's the tooth fairy, or a tooth mouse countries around the world have different traditions when it comes to kids losing their baby teeth.
Most English-speaking countries
Most will be used to the usual Tooth Fairy transaction swapping kids' baby teeth for a few pence or pounds depending on where you are. Last year research showed in that in some parts of the UK kids were getting as much as £10 per tooth, however the average was much lower - between £1 and £2.50 depending on where you live.
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Most Spanish-speaking countries
The myths surround a mouse who collects teeth, his name differs according to the country, but his job is the same. Like the English-speaking countries the 'tooth mouse' only appears once the teeth have been placed under a pillow. He will then swap the tooth for a gift, not necessarily money.
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South Africa
Similar to other countries South Africans expect to get money for their baby teeth, however they don't put them under their pillow, they put them in their slippers!
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India, China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam
In some Asian countries kids throw their lost teeth around! Teeth from the lower jaw end up on the roof and those from the top jaw end up on the floor, or under it. The idea behind this is that the new tooth will grow towards the old tooth.
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Iraq, Jordan, and Egypt
Similar to some Asian countries kids in Iraq, Jordan, and Egypt can be found throwing their teeth into the sky.
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Mongolia
Perhaps one of the more unusual things to do with a baby tooth is put it in some fat and then feed it to a dog! They do this because they want the new tooth to be as strong as the dog's teeth. If they don't have a dog then they bury it by a tree so that the new tooth has strong roots.
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France
Similar to Spanish-speaking countries 'La Bonne Petite Souris' (The good little mouse) makes an appearance sneaking under pillows for the baby tooth leaving cash or sweets!
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