Tooth fairy traditions

Families tell what they do to get a visit

| Wednesday, February 27, 2008

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Growing up, Angie Cutler always put her baby teeth in a glass for the Tooth Fairy.

So it only seemed natural to continue the tradition with her own kids.

When 8-year-old Megan, 7-year-old Cody and 4-year-old Zane lose teeth, they drop them into a cup that Angie has decorated with a tooth. Most of the time, the Tooth Fairy usually brings about  $1.

Cutler was one of several readers who wrote in about their Tooth Fairy stories, which ranged from a tale of a forgetful Tooth Fairy to one who left desserts when a tooth was lost.

 

Grinning tooth glass

Like many families, when one of our children loses a tooth, we place it in a glass of water. Our cup has a drawing of a grinning tooth on it. This makes it much easier for the tooth fairy to find. It’s also easier for the gap-toothed child to find their “prize.” If there is anxiety about a tooth being lost, we assure them that the Tooth Fairy will know and still visit. Once the Tooth Fairy left the tooth in the cup. A hastily scribbled note nearby indicated that the Tooth Fairy would like the child to put the tooth in their photo album. Tears turned to smiles when the child put her tooth in her album and her prize in her piggy bank. With three young children, the Tooth Fairy is sure to visit many more times in the years to come.

— Angie Cutler, Rapid City

Forgetful and clumsy

We lose a lot of teeth at our house, so the Tooth Fairy visits often. But, we have discovered, she is very lazy and quite stupid. More than one sad morning we woke to discover a crusty tooth still under the pillow where it was put the night before. When that happens, the mother of the house has to scramble around and find a small gift or a dollar to appease a crying child. The mother said that she would talk to the Tooth Fairy. The T.F. always apologized and said she was very busy due to the great number of people losing teeth.

Our Tooth Fairy is also quite clumsy. We have, on many occasions, found a tooth in the junk drawer in the kitchen, on the bathroom counter or even on the floor! The mother said it was probably because the Tooth Fairy was so tired and more than likely forgot all about the tooth until two or three in the morning. But she had no answer as to how the Tooth Fairy could possibly build her white tooth castle in the sky if she kept dropping or misplacing the teeth she was supposed to be collecting.

— Lorene Masters, Rapid City

Letter of apology

Here is a letter that my 8-year-old son recently wrote to the Tooth Fairy. I am typing it exactly as he has written it.

Dear Tooth Fairy,

I was eating a peice of desert pizza and my tooth fell out. I didn’t know but my tooth either fell in the pizza or I acsadently swallowded the tooth. I am sorry I have no tooth here, but if you would just forgive me that would be great!

 

Love,

Carter Thorman

— Toni Thorman, Rapid City

Treat for a sweet tooth

The year was 1940, years ago during the lean years. Money was scarce, so when I lost a tooth, my mother placed it on a table with a napkin. Behold, the following day there was no tooth. Instead there was a cookie or a piece of cake, sometimes a chocolate cookie. Not bad for a 6-year-old girl with a sweet tooth. With all that sugar, so many baby teeth and the fluoride in the water, I did quite well. I am 74 now and still have all my teeth.

I guess losing a tooth can be a delicious treat endeavor. I knew some friends who pulled their loose teeth out just to get a just dessert.

— Anne Fauvell, Rapid City

Change of tradition

“We have always put the tooth in a glass in the kitchen or under the child’s pillow. However, my daughter’s family had to quit the pillow tradition after her daughter woke up hysterical when she found her tooth gone and money in its place. She was upset because “How did he get in my room?”

— June White

April Fool

After having several profitable experiences with the Tooth Fairy last winter, my 6-year-old grandson, Jayden, thought of a way to make a good deal even better. Thinking he could fool the Tooth Fairy, he drew a picture of a tooth, cut it out and placed it under his pillow the night before April Fools’ Day. When he woke up in the morning, he found out the Tooth Fairy had fooled him! Under his pillow was a hand-drawn and cut-out picture of a dollar bill. Instead of being disappointed, he thought it was really funny that he had been fooled.

— Glenna Burg, Bozeman, Mont.