We also realized that, although we adore the Tooth Fairy, we really know very little about her.  The following is compiled from lots of research and numerous sources, but we'd love to hear from you if you have some accurate Tooth Fairy information.  Just send us an e-mail.

ALL YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT THE TOOTH FAIRY

How did the myth of the Tooth Fairy begin?

It's unclear how the charming Tooth Fairy actually came to be.  She probably began her origin many centuries ago in a culture that encouraged folklore, literature and the arts, where the concept of fairies was widely accepted.

What is a fairy?

The word fairy is derived from the French spelling of faery.  The myth of the fairy dates back to ancient days and was quite widespread, especially in the Celtic peoples.  References about magical fairies, both good and evil, can be found in numerous paintings and literature that predate Christianity.  Centuries later, the concept of the fairy became popular during Shakespeare's day, as he and other writers of that time period gave them prominent roles in plays.

Why did a fairy become associated with losing a baby tooth?

Many folk cultures marked the loss of a child's baby or milk teeth.  Some cultures placed the tooth in a tree or threw it to the sun.  Other rituals involved having an adult swallow the tooth or burn it.  Even the Vikings had their own ritual called "tooth fee" whereby a small gift was given to a child when its first tooth appeared.

Why is the Tooth Fairy so popular?

The Tooth Fairy is a whimsical concept that helps parent and child mark the transition from infancy to childhood.  It's a rite of passage that is not tied to any religion or holiday.

When does the Tooth Fairy come to visit?

Although it varies, children generally lose their first baby tooth between the ages of 5 and 7 years.  The lost tooth is then placed under the child's pillow, in a special Tooth Fairy pillow or container.  During the night, the Tooth Fairy visits and makes an exchange -- usually monetary --  for the tooth.

When did the Tooth Fairy become part of our modern culture?

The Tooth Fairy was an established part of our American folklore by the early part of the 1900s.

Why do most people refer to the Tooth Fairy as a female?

As a popular-culture figure of modern times, the Tooth Fairy is usually depicted as a woman. However, for the boys in the group, All About Baby^® offers a Tooth Fairy Prince figurine and a Tooth Fairy Pillow with a blue bow, which can be personalized.

What does the Tooth Fairy bring in exchange for the child's tooth?

The standard amount for the "baby boomer" generation was a dime or sometimes a quarter, but that amount has increased considerably.  Children now receive anywhere from a dollar to five dollars, and sometimes a larger amount for the first tooth.  Some children receive a gift in place of money.

Do children all over the world celebrate the legend and magic of the Tooth Fairy?

Throughout English-speaking and many European countries, the Tooth Fairy tradition is widely known and practiced (although in many cultures, the first lost tooth is the only one recognized by the Tooth Fairy).  We're still doing research on other countries and we'd love to hear from anyone who has lived or traveled abroad and has reliable first-hand knowledge of this subject.

When does the Tooth Fairy stop visiting?