You know the story — a child loses a baby tooth and hides it under his or her pillow. In the night, a tooth fairy collects the tooth and leaves behind money or a gift. But do you know how the legend started?
According to Punchbowl.com, the legend started hundreds of years ago and there have been several legends surrounding teeth. Europeans buried the teeth so witches couldn’t use them for voodoo. Vikings believed children’s teeth could help them fight in battle and would pay the children for their teeth.
Somewhere down the line, the legend shifted and a “Tooth Mouse” would steal the teeth in the middle of the night and leave a gift or money behind.
Another legend simply says that children become nervous at the thought of losing their baby teeth and the promise of a reward gives the children something to look forward to.
In 2015, the average payout per tooth from the Tooth Fairy was $3.19, dropping from $3.43 the year before, continuing a downward trend. The Visa study shows that the payout amount is directly correlated to the household income.
The study also showed that 5 percent of American children receive $20 or more per tooth, while 10 percent receive nothing at all. In Midwest states, the average payout is $3.13 per tooth.
Quick tooth facts:
- An average person spends 38.5 days brushing their teeth over their lifetime
- There are 20 baby teeth and (usually) 32 adult teeth
- Tooth decay is also linked to stroke, diabetes and heart disease
February 28 is also National Chocolate Souffle Day and National Pancake Day!
