The other night, my son lost a molar. It was a bloody ordeal, and the sight of that tooth—complete with roots—was, to put it mildly, quite unsettling.
When I first came across the idea of parents preserving their children’s baby teeth, I couldn’t help but chuckle. Seriously, who in their right mind would keep such things? To me, baby teeth belong in the trash or down the drain, right alongside hair clippings and toenails.
But apparently, I was mistaken. Many parents have emotional attachments to these tiny teeth and go to surprising lengths to save them. I understand wanting to treasure memories of our children’s early years—I even keep my son’s old blanket close by. But teeth? That’s a different story entirely.
Just the thought of a decayed tooth makes me cringe, and when my partner mentioned there might be a baby tooth stashed away in his drawer, I swiftly blocked out the idea. I can’t even find the energy to keep my kids’ art projects, let alone track down their lost teeth!
Now, if you’re one of those tooth collectors, I’m not here to judge. I might gag at the thought, but to each their own, right? However, this trend of saving baby teeth has spiraled out of control. Some parents are spending significant money on keepsake kits designed specifically for preserving these tiny, discarded teeth. What is going on?
Parents are raving about these kits online, exclaiming their joy in all caps. These kits not only accommodate each tooth but also include spaces for umbilical cords and lanugo—the fine hair that some newborns have. I’ve never met anyone who preserves lanugo, but here we are.
There’s even a bizarre tooth monster doll, which honestly gives me the creeps. And let’s not forget the baby teeth jewelry—yes, earrings made from your child’s teeth that can cost upwards of $240! What has happened to our standards of memento-keeping?
While I can appreciate a small lock of hair in an album, these are actual teeth we’re talking about—old remnants that have fallen out of our children’s mouths. They often come with a bit of blood and may not even be clean, depending on their brushing habits.
I believe in a little Tooth Fairy magic, but sneaking into a sleeping child’s room is already a challenge. Holding onto a collection of old teeth in a fancy box or crafting creepy dolls from them is taking it too far. What’s next? A box of toenail clippings? A bundle of hair? A vial of blood worn as a necklace? It’s time to stop the madness!
So, if saving teeth is your thing, go ahead. I might be grossed out, but I’d still probably be your friend. Just don’t expect me to join you in paying for tooth earrings.
For more insights, check out this piece about home insemination kits. And if you’re interested in fertility resources, Make a Mom has some great information, as does the CDC for those looking into pregnancy.