A common myth is that if you lose a tooth and leave it under your pillow, you may awaken to a trade (likely coin or cash). Most of us have woken up at least once to our parents mimicking this, but might not have said anything due to the free money.

The folklore of the Tooth Fairy varies across different cultures, but the common theme is a mythical being who exchanges a child’s lost tooth for a reward. In Western culture, the Tooth Fairy is often depicted as a small, winged fairy who visits children at night to collect their baby teeth and leave a small gift or money in exchange.

In other cultures, such as in Hispanic and Asian traditions, there are similar customs involving the disposal of baby teeth. In Hispanic cultures, children place their lost teeth under their pillows for Ratoncito Pérez, a mouse-like character, to collect and leave a gift in return. In some Asian countries like Japan and Korea, children throw their lost teeth onto the roof or under the floorboards, with the belief that their new teeth will grow in as strong as the material on which the old tooth lands.

Overall, the folklore of the Tooth Fairy reflects the universal experience of losing baby teeth and the cultural practices surrounding this natural phenomenon. It serves as a way to comfort children during a potentially scary or painful time and adds a touch of magic and wonder to the process of growing up.