Did you know that National Tooth Fairy Day is celebrated twice a year, on February 28 and August 22? This day is a great way to celebrate children losing their baby teeth and the fairy who comes to collect them. It’s also a great reminder to help children understand the importance of dental hygiene.
In this article, we will provide ideas for celebrating this special occasion in person and online and delve into the history of the tooth fairy.
Interactive Activities to Celebrate Tooth Fairy Day
The tooth fairy can be an excellent tool for teaching kids the importance of oral hygiene. Here are four great ways to celebrate National Tooth Fairy Day that are fun for both kids and adults.
- Tooth Fairy Treasure Hunt: Organize a themed treasure hunt with tooth fairy clues leading to small prizes/treasures. Some ideas include:
- Hidden Fairy Dust: Sprinkle glitter or powdered sugar in various locations to create a “fairy dust” trail leading to the treasure.
- Dental Obstacle Course: Set up a mini-obstacle course with dental-themed challenges that teach oral hygiene tips. For example, the first challenge could be to brush their teeth for two minutes.
- Tooth Fairy Map: Create a treasure map leading to the grand prize. Draw a map of your house, yard, or dental office, marking specific locations where clues or treasures can be found. Use creative names for the places like “Molar Mountain” or “Incisor Island.”
- Tooth Fairy Stories: Have children draw photos of the tooth fairy and write their own stories about her. You can also host a tooth fairy storytime at your dental office with one of these cool tooth fairy books.
- Tooth Fairy Pillow: Small teeth can easily be lost, so give children special pillows to store their lost teeth and make it “fairy” easy to find their teeth.
- Tooth Fairy Fun Facts Game: Try this fun trivia game during National Tooth Fairy Day. Keep track of correct answers with stickers, and give a small prize to the winner. Fun facts about the tooth fairy to ask include:
- Q: How many times does the tooth fairy visit each child?
- A: The tooth fairy visits each child around 20 times.
- Q: How old is the tooth fairy?
- A: The first mention of the tooth fairy in the U.S. was in the Chicago Daily Tribune in 1908, making her over 100 years old.
- Q: How many teeth does the tooth fairy collect every night?
- A: On average, the tooth fairy collects about 300,000 teeth from children all over the world every night.
Promoting Oral Hygiene
Teaching children proper oral hygiene will help them keep their pearly whites healthy for life. Many kids build habits that will stick early in life, including oral hygiene. Here are just a few oral hygiene tips for kids.
- Provide Oral Hygiene Kits: Children love products designed with them in mind. One study found that kids brush 73% longer with a singing toothbrush. Give children complimentary goody bags with toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss instructions for proper use to incentivize them.
- Offer Rewards: Give children stickers, small toys, or other rewards after their dental appointment if they have been keeping their teeth healthy. By offering rewards, you are incentivizing them to follow a good oral hygiene routine.
- Make Dental Visits Fun: Organize oral health contests, games, or coloring activities to make dental visits a positive and enjoyable experience for kids.
- Show, Don’t Just Tell: Offer demonstrations and hands-on activities around dental hygiene to help children understand and apply good oral hygiene habits.
Engaging Social Media Campaigns
Social media platforms can be used by dental practices to reach a wider audience on National Tooth Fairy Day. Here are some ideas for your next National Tooth Fairy Day social media campaign.
- “Tooth Tales”: Encourage parents to share their children’s tooth loss stories through photos and videos. Use a dedicated hashtag such as #MyToothFairyStory or #ToothTalesatYourDentalPractice. Select the best submissions and give them a small prize!
- Guess the Number of Teeth: Post a photo of a jar filled with tooth-shaped candy or fake teeth and ask followers to guess how many teeth are in the jar. Participants can comment with their guesses, and whoever is closest wins a small prize.
- Oral Health Trivia Contest: Create a series of questions related to dental hygiene and the tooth fairy. Participants can submit their answers by commenting, replying to your story, etc., and the first person who answers correctly wins a tooth fairy-themed prize.
History of the Tooth Fairy
While the history of dental hygiene dates back to 3000 BCE, the tooth fairy isn’t nearly that old. The tooth fairy can play a positive role in the lives of children by helping reduce anxiety around losing baby teeth.
Understanding how the tooth fairy has evolved will help you better educate your patients and their parents on the importance and tradition of this little fairy. Let’s look at the history of the tooth fairy.
1697
A French fairytale by Baroness d’Aulnoy, La Bonne Petite Souris, was released. This mouse that leaves candy or money in exchange for lost teeth inspired France’s version of the tooth fairy.
1894
Based on a story written by Luis Coloma, Ratoncito Pérez is a mythical mouse that leaves gifts in exchange for children’s lost teeth. This mouse is Spain and Latin America’s version of the tooth fairy.
1908
In the U.S, the first print reference to the tooth fairy was in a “Household Hints” column in the Chicago Daily Tribune, where a reader suggested:
“Many a refractory child will allow a loose tooth to be removed if he knows about the tooth fairy. If he takes his little tooth and puts it under the pillow when he goes to bed the tooth fairy will come in the night and take it away, and in its place will leave some little gift. It is a nice plan for mothers to visit the 5 cent counter and lay in a supply of articles to be used on such occasions.”
1920s
The French fairytale La Bonne Petite Souris (The Good Little Mouse) was released in English.
1927
Esther Watkins Arnold published a short play for children about a tooth fairy who collects the lost teeth of little boys and girls, further popularizing the idea.
1949
Lee Rogow published the short story “The Tooth Fairy” in Collier’s Weekly, a popular magazine. This transformed the tooth fairy from an obscure tradition to a cultural icon.
1979
The tooth fairy was first cited in the World Book Encyclopedia as an integral part of kids’ childhood.
In conclusion, National Tooth Fairy Day celebrates the tradition of the tooth fairy and promotes oral hygiene in children. By incorporating interactive activities, games, and other engaging experiences, dental offices can create a positive and enjoyable environment for young patients. These activities can educate children about proper oral care and help alleviate anxiety and fear associated with dental visits.
Moreover, the crucial role of hygienists and dental assistants cannot be overstated. Their expertise, gentle approach, and supportive demeanor play a significant role in ensuring a smooth and comfortable experience for children. By working together, dental practices can foster a positive and lasting impression of oral health, paving the way for a lifetime of good dental habits.
