The museum was closed and memorabilia sold following Wells death in 2000. The museum portion of her home contained more than 1000 tooth fairy memorabilia and was open to the public. In addition to her research, Wells amassed a sizable, curated Tooth Fairy memorabilia collection in her Deerfield, Illinois home (pictured above). Wells interviewed anthropologists, parents, kids, and surveyed more than 2000 parents about tooth fairy practices and traditions. Wells began researching the origin of the Tooth Fairy. It wasn’t until a play aptly titled ‘The Tooth Fairy’ was published in 1927 that kids in the US began placing their lost baby teeth under their pillow for the tooth fairy.ĭentist Rosemary Wells is recognized as America’s foremost Tooth Fairy expert. Most believe that she is a blue fairy with wings and a magical wand who flies at night to collect teeth.

That’s a lot of teeth!ħ4% of people believe the tooth fairy is female and looks like Tinkerbelle. Worldwide, Tooth Fairy Land estimates that the tooth fairy collects over 300,000 baby (primary) teeth every night. The custom for a child to place their newly lost tooth under their pillow in exchange for a gift from the tooth fairy is a worldwide practiced custom for families with young children.įolklore suggests that belief in the tooth fairy is a way for parents to bribe and encourage their children to take good care of their teeth.Ĭhildren who lose a tooth that has been well cared for (brushed and flossed daily) often receive praise along with a token or reward, often money in exchange for their lost tooth.Īccording to an annual tooth fairy poll, the tooth fairy visited an estimated 85% of US households with children in 2016. The tooth fairy belief can be traced back to the mid centuries.Īccording to Wikipedia, the tradition of leaving your tooth under a pillow for the mythical “tooth fairy” is believed to have European origins.

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