While the Tooth Fairy is a well-known figure in the United Kingdom, the United States, and other English-speaking countries, numerous cultures around the world have their own unique customs to mark the loss of baby teeth.

In Spain and much of Latin America, children follow the tradition of El Ratoncito Pérez, or “Perez the Little Mouse.” According to this custom, a child places a lost tooth under their pillow, and the mouse is said to take the tooth and replace it with a coin or small gift during the night. This practice has literary roots dating back to 1894 when Spanish writer Luis Coloma crafted a story about the character.

France features a comparable figure known as La Petite Souris, which translates to “The Little Mouse.” Like El Ratoncito Pérez, this character collects lost teeth and leaves a monetary reward for children, continuing a widespread European motif of a small rodent playing a role in childhood tooth loss.

In East Asia, the customs surrounding lost teeth differ markedly. In Japan, children traditionally throw their lower teeth onto the roof of a house and their upper teeth onto the ground. The purpose of this ritual is to encourage the growth of strong, straight permanent teeth. Similar practices are found in parts of Korea, China, and Vietnam, where throwing the teeth in particular directions symbolizes a hope for healthy new ones.

Among some Middle Eastern communities, children may throw their lost teeth towards the sky or the sun while making a wish for a healthy replacement tooth. This practice reflects a symbolic connection between natural elements and dental health.

These diverse traditions illustrate the rich variety of ways in which different cultures celebrate a common childhood milestone, blending folklore, superstition, and hope into rituals that have been passed down through generations.