A fun start to the year!
Just when you think you were getting over the Christmas holiday financial strain, the Tooth Fairy dropped off her invoice!
Did you know that, according to legend, the Tooth Fairy has been exchanging deciduous teeth for money since the 14th century? Not simply a novelty, the Tooth Fairy is an important introduction to commodity and capitalism.
Unlike Christmas and Santa, there is no requirement to be “good” to reap the rewards of the Tooth Fairy, a child simply must have private property (the tooth) to exchange. However, like me, you may be surprised to know that not all Tooth Fairy visits, result in an “purchase” of the tooth. Research from Switzerland has found that up to 40% of visits, the Tooth Fairy placed money next to the Tooth rather than an exchange occurring. As you are likely aware, there is no standard price system for this commodity. You may be surprised to hear that the cleanliness of the tooth (frequency of brushing) does not impact the price. Price is impacted by inflation, which explains the seemingly exorbitant price many of my patients seem to charge for their deciduous teeth. The current international average price will not be mentioned so as not to influence the local market.
Did you realise that you were teaching your child about economy when you allowed the Tooth Fairy into your home?
