Picture from National Tooth Fairy Day
Dwayne Johnson in the 2010 movie, Tooth Fairy. Image ©20th Century Fox

National Tooth Fairy Day

Did you know that February 28 was National Tooth Fairy Day? (Bet you thought it was just something parents made up to encourage little ones to brush their teeth!)

Although some calendars claim August 22 is the date to honor the pixie of the pearly whites, most dentists are happy to have you celebrate either. After all, they also recommend a check-up two times a year.

Esther Watkins Arnold is credited for the birth of the tooth fairy, which she brought to life in 1927 as a character in an eight-page playlet. From that origin, the winged creature has gone on to be a tradition associated with growing up. As the fable goes, each time a child loses a baby tooth, it should be slipped under the pillow that night. Sometime during those sleeping hours, the stealthy nymph sneaks into the bedroom, collects the tooth, and leaves some money in its place.

Since those early beginnings, other storytellers have made up more tales. For instance, she gathers lost teeth for a special purpose in the animation Rise of the Guardians. And “she” is a “he” (played by Dwayne Johnson) in the film Tooth Fairy.

While the flittering fairy is usually seen as a good guy in the movies, most dentists are not. Take for example the orthodontist that spoils his niece in Finding Nemo. Or the doctor doomed to see dead people unless he can brush up on his kindness skills in Ghost Town. And then there is the one who gets the wool pulled over his eyes in Shaun The Sheep - A Woolly Good Time.

Whether or not you have young children shedding their teeth in your life right now, you might want to share a movie and a smile with your family on National Tooth Fairy Day.

More details about the movies mentioned in this post…

Tooth Fairy

Tooth Fairy

Ghost Town

Ghost Town

Rise of the Guardians

Rise of the Guardians

Finding Nemo

Finding Nemo

Shaun The Sheep - A Woolly Good Time

Shaun The Sheep - A Woolly Good Time