National Tooth Fairy Day is on Sunday, February 28, 2027, and it falls on February 28 every year. It celebrates the friendly figure who trades a lost baby tooth for a coin or small gift. It’s a fun way to talk with kids about losing teeth and caring for the new ones.
When Is National Tooth Fairy Day?
It’s always February 28. Some calendars also list a Tooth Fairy Day in August, so you may see it celebrated twice.
Where Did the Tooth Fairy Come From?
No founder or start year has been documented for the day itself.
The American Tooth Fairy is fairly new. Mental Floss traces the earliest print mention to a 1908 Chicago Daily Tribune household hints column by a reader named Lillian Brown. A 1927 children’s play by Esther Watkins Arnold, The Tooth Fairy, came next.
Tooth traditions around the world
In Spain, Ratoncito Pérez, a tooth-collecting mouse, became famous in 1894. Writer Luis Coloma created the story for the young King Alfonso XIII. In South Korea, children traditionally threw baby teeth onto the roof.
How Much Does the Tooth Fairy Pay?
In 2026, the average gift was $5.84 per tooth, up 17% from $5.01 in 2025. That’s from Delta Dental’s Original Tooth Fairy Poll of 1,000 parents. A first tooth earned more, at $7.17 on average.
Rates vary by region. Kids in the Northeast got the most, at $6.45 a tooth, while the Midwest averaged $5.27. When the poll began in 1998, the average was just $1.30.
The day’s real purpose is simple: make losing a tooth exciting, and use the moment to talk about brushing.
How to Celebrate National Tooth Fairy Day
- Make a tooth pillow: sew a small felt pillow with a pocket so the tooth doesn’t get lost under the bed.
- Leave a tiny note: write a letter from the Tooth Fairy in very small print and add a dusting of glitter.
- Start a tooth log: record the date, which tooth came out and what the Tooth Fairy left.
- Read about traditions: find a picture book about Ratoncito Pérez and compare it with your family’s version.
- Try the roof toss: borrow the Korean custom and let kids pretend to throw a paper “tooth” onto a toy house.
- Swap in a brush: leave a new toothbrush or flavored toothpaste with the coin.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many baby teeth do kids have?
Most children have 20 baby teeth, which start coming in around 6 months, the American Dental Association says. By age 21, all 32 permanent teeth have usually come in.
Does the Tooth Fairy always leave money?
Not always. In Delta Dental’s 2026 poll, 32% of children got a physical gift, up from 19% the year before.
Can the Tooth Fairy come during the day?
Each family sets its own rules. Some parents say she visits at nap time, or leaves a note promising to come back that night.