In many cultures, there are long-standing traditions about what to do when a child loses a baby tooth. Some customs hold that where you place the tooth can influence how the new one grows in. For example, in some families, if an upper tooth falls out, it should be tossed under the bed, while a lower tooth should be thrown onto the roof—believing this will help the new tooth come in properly. In other places, parents and grandparents would watch carefully to be sure the tooth was thrown in the right spot. Sometimes, children would even make a wish for their new tooth to grow in strong and sharp—like a mouse’s tooth, rather than a cow’s.

Today, with modern understanding of dental health, we know these practices are simply cultural traditions rather than science. But for many families, they are still a comforting way to mark a special milestone and express hopes for their child’s healthy growth.

Nowadays, there’s no need to follow these old rituals—especially when homes are clean and tidy, and city living makes it impractical to toss teeth onto rooftops. Many parents prefer to wash and keep their child’s lost teeth as keepsakes. Some even record the date each tooth fell out. Over time, this becomes a beautiful collection of memories to look back on together when the child grows up.