I love being in every step of my children’s lives, as I take pride in being a parent. Recently, I sat down with my youngest daughter as she was about to start losing her baby teeth.
I wanted to explain the process involved and that she would feel pain. However, I was intrigued when she told me she had been waiting to lose her baby teeth for the fairy tooth to visit her.
I became interested in knowing where she had gotten the idea from and finding out if the tooth fairy was evil. I conducted comprehensive research by reading different tooth fairy mythology books and written legends.
To link my findings with my knowledge as a theologian, I involved different clergies to know if Christians should let their children believe in the tooth fairy.
Last week, a student in a college class I teach wanted to know if the tooth fairy is evil, as he had believed in it while growing up.
Another student also wanted to know if the tooth fairy was real. Since I had done research and consultation with clergies, I explained my findings to the class.
So, is the tooth fairy evil?
Although the Bible does not tell us anything about the tooth fairy, some people believe it is not evil, as it is a harmless myth used to convince children to lose their first teeth.
I invite you to join me until the end as I explore more about this topic. I will discuss if the tooth fairy is real, the darkest legend of the tooth fairy, among other exciting topics.
Is the Tooth Fairy real?
Various people have agreed that the tooth fairy is not real but a childhood myth. This mythology is believed to have started in Northern Europe as a tradition in the 10th century.
This tradition required parents to pay their children a “tand-fe,” a tooth fee after losing their first baby teeth. The Norse culture saw it as appropriate because they suggested that the children’s teeth were a source of good luck.
The Scandinavian warriors would even make necklaces from these teeth and wear them on their necks for protection during war.
The modern tooth fairy tale then came around in 1908 through a written article in the section of the Chicago Tribune named “Household Hints.”
The author, Lilian Brown, suggested that children put their teeth under their pillows at night, in which the ‘tooth fairy’ would come and leave them a gift worth five cents.
This myth was intended to enable parents to persuade their children to pull out their baby teeth easily when the time came.
What is the dark legend of the tooth fairy?
While there are many legends regarding the tooth fairy, the darkest one is speculated to involve witches. It is believed that the children’s teeth were precious and were to be kept away from witches.
This is because some cultures thought that if witches were to get hold of the children’s teeth, they could gain control over the children’s lives.
This culture further implied that if this happened, then the children would end up suffering in the future or even get possessed.
This is why some cultures burned their children’s teeth when they fell out while others buried them to ensure they did not land in the witches’ hands.
Should Christians let their children believe in the tooth fairy?
As a Christian, it is important to understand what the tooth fairy means to you and your child. By now, we all know that the tooth fairy does not exist, making it a lie.
As a Christian, you should seek the wisdom of God to know if lying to your children will benefit them. James 1:5 encourages Christians to ask God for wisdom if they lack it because he gives it to us generously.
Additionally, Proverbs 14:25 reveals how a truthful witness gets to save lives, while a false one is deceitful.
When do children stop believing in the tooth fairy?
Some sources suggest that there is no specific age at which children are required to stop believing in the tooth fairy.
However, they speculate that most children stop believing in tooth fairy between the ages of seven and nine. These sources further imply that every child is different, and to stop believing in the tooth fairy may depend on their cognitive and emotional development.
Some other factors are believed to influence the age at which children stop believing in the tooth fairy, like the influence of their siblings or peers, their cultural belief, and their level of curiosity.
As a theologian, I have always been curious to learn more about the Christian Faith. That is why I pursued a Certificate in Christian Studies, Certificate in Christian Foundations and a Masters in Theology. I also have an immersive experience in editing for numerous websites. I have worked as an editor for over a decade and am currently the editor-in-chief at Christian Faith Guide. I enjoy working as an editor and feel privileged to share my expertise and help spread God’s word. You can read more about me on the about us page.
