NATIONAL TOOTH FAIRY DAY | AUGUST 22
Wiggle a loose tooth and maybe the tooth fairy will collect it on August 22nd during National Tooth Fairy Day. Since the day is celebrated twice a year, recognize the tooth fairy again on February 28th.
#ToothFairyDay
This childhood favorite evolved with a group of healthcare fairies during the mid-1920s. From bath fairies to Fairy Wand Tooth Whitener, they encouraged kids through a wave of advertisements and health classes. These ads and classes spoke to children about eating their veggies, brushing their teeth, and getting fresh air.
In 1927, Esther Watkins Arnold brought the tooth fairy to life in an eight-page playlet. She named the playlet The Tooth Fairy. At the same time, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle published photographs of two girls surrounded by “verified” fairies. He claimed that fairies and gnomes existed and the pictures supplied the photographic evidence.
When is National Fairy Tale Day? Well, there isn’t one, but there is Tell A Fairy Tale Day!
The following year, Arnold’s play began performing. Childen, primed with vivid imaginations, placed their freshly lost teeth under their pillows at night. The anticipation of a visit from the tooth fairy lives on today.
Over the years, the tooth fairy theme varied. In 1942, columnist Bob Balfe wrote in the Palm Beach Post about the tooth fairy. He gave his children War Stamps to put in their books when they lost a tooth. This alternative became popular during a time when giving to the war effort was a motivating factor.
Today, the tooth fairy jingles much less than ever. The average payout for a lost tooth ranges from $3 to $4. However, if Dad is on duty or if the tooth disappears during the night with no time to break a large bill, the amounts climb higher.
HOW TO OBSERVE TOOTH FAIRY DAY
Support your friendly neighborhood tooth fairy. Take care of your teeth and leave a few healthy baby teeth behind. Share your tooth fairy stories, real or imagined. Use #ToothFairyDay to post on social media. Download this coloring page, color, and then post to social media.
NATIONAL TOOTH FAIRY DAY HISTORY
While our research did not unearth the source of either the February 28th or the August 22nd observance.
Tooth Fairy FAQ
Q. Why are there two National Tooth Fairy Days?
A. The National Day Calendar team has not discovered the origins of either of the holidays, but it is interesting to note the American Dental Association’s recommendation to have cleanings twice annually.
Q. Who wrote the song “All I Want for Christmas (is My Two Front Teeth)”?
A. Donald Yetter Gardner
Q. What other songs feature teeth?
A. Surprisingly, there are several. Steely Dan’s “Your Gold Teeth,” Owl City’s “Dental Care,” and Iron and Wine’s “White Tooth Man” are a few. However, numerous children’s songs also feature tooth-related themes.