Page 6 | AIBU to refuse my mother-in-law keeping my daughter's first tooth?

GalileoFigaro · 2026-09-01T17:46:57+00:00

DD just turned 7 has a wobbly tooth. Her first one. My smother in law said that she was going to pull it out for her when she next saw her AND she was going to keep it in her little box where she has all her 3 children's milk teeth. AIBU to say no she isn't? I feel that the tooth shouldn't be pulled and will fall out when it's good and ready. Also I'd quite like to keep my own child's tooth as a keepsake (a lot of mums do that, right? AIBU and being precious or is MiL overstepping?

WingBingo · 01/09/2026 19:35

Now I think about it, the collection of teeth I have in a jewellery box now seems weird.

Im so easily influenced by MN.

beaglescurleduplikebagels · 01/09/2026 19:33

AppleButterGutter · 01/09/2026 19:31

Lots of posts on this thread expressing disbelief that anyone would do this.

Clearly lots of people do!

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We know lots of people do. We just think it's bloody weird.

Surroundedbyfools · 01/09/2026 19:33

It’s a bit odd yeah but tbh I’d let my mother in law keep the kids teeth if she wanted coz I’m not keeping them …. Seriously what r u going to do with a box of baby teeth really ?

croisette · 01/09/2026 19:33

mindutopia · 01/09/2026 18:48

She absolutely will not be is right. It’s weird she still has their teeth! I obviously am saving all of my dc’s but one day, they will be gifted them and can do what they want with them. I’m not saving them to cast spells later in life. 😂

Edited

If my mum tries to “gift” me my own milk teeth they’ll be straight in the bin. Can you “gift” someone their own former body parts anyway 😂

AppleButterGutter · 01/09/2026 19:31

ToKittyornottoKitty · 01/09/2026 19:28

People aren’t saying it doesn’t happen, we are saying it’s weird and gross to keep them!

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Lots of posts on this thread expressing disbelief that anyone would do this.

Clearly lots of people do!

beaglescurleduplikebagels · 01/09/2026 19:30

ToKittyornottoKitty · 01/09/2026 19:28

People aren’t saying it doesn’t happen, we are saying it’s weird and gross to keep them!

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Yep. As someone said upthread - serial killer vibes!

ToKittyornottoKitty · 01/09/2026 19:28

AppleButterGutter · 01/09/2026 19:26

People clearly do keep teeth!

edited to remove the amazon link as it seems to show my details

Just google tooth box

Edited

People aren’t saying it doesn’t happen, we are saying it’s weird and gross to keep them!

AppleButterGutter · 01/09/2026 19:26

People clearly do keep teeth!

edited to remove the amazon link as it seems to show my details

Just google tooth box

Bluenotgreen · 01/09/2026 19:25

Don’t let DD see MIL until Tooth Fairy has safely dispatched the tooth.

Overstepping massively

Mumalala · 01/09/2026 19:18

If she pulls it out, your DD will never trust her again and probably will keep her distance. Might be worth it.

Hellodarknessmyoldpal · 01/09/2026 19:16

You can charge her the going tooth fairy rate if she wants the tooth. Although I am firmly in the keeping teeth is weird camp

RobertaFirmino · 01/09/2026 19:15

The tooth belongs to DD. How could anyone want to deprive her of the whole tooth fairy thing? Or you, her own mother, for that matter!

I would instruct DD to bite down hard if MIL goes anywhere near her mouth!

ToKittyornottoKitty · 01/09/2026 19:04

mindutopia · 01/09/2026 18:48

She absolutely will not be is right. It’s weird she still has their teeth! I obviously am saving all of my dc’s but one day, they will be gifted them and can do what they want with them. I’m not saving them to cast spells later in life. 😂

Edited

Nobody wants to be gifted dusty old teeth, throw them away!

Wolfpa · 01/09/2026 19:00

Keeping teeth is just odd

beaglescurleduplikebagels · 01/09/2026 19:00

mindutopia · 01/09/2026 18:48

She absolutely will not be is right. It’s weird she still has their teeth! I obviously am saving all of my dc’s but one day, they will be gifted them and can do what they want with them. I’m not saving them to cast spells later in life. 😂

Edited

I'm sorry but why on earth do you think your adult kids are going to want their 20+ year old manky baby teeth? 😬

Lampsandlightsandotherthings · 01/09/2026 19:00

They change colour and break any way they don’t last years it’s creepy

bowchicawowwow · 01/09/2026 18:58

It’s a weird request from MIL but if she wants it then she can fund the tooth fairy and also host the sleepover that is required for tooth collection. Don’t let her pull it out though, that’s absolutely gross. I did keep all the kids teeth but I can assure you I have never looked in bag I put them all in.

Sunbringer · 01/09/2026 18:57

mindutopia · 01/09/2026 18:48

She absolutely will not be is right. It’s weird she still has their teeth! I obviously am saving all of my dc’s but one day, they will be gifted them and can do what they want with them. I’m not saving them to cast spells later in life. 😂

Edited

Why would anyone want their own baby teeth?

ButtercupYellow26 · 01/09/2026 18:56

Who on earth keeps teeth. Very creepy.

GrannyAchingsShepherdsHut · 01/09/2026 18:55

The thought of keeping teeth makes me feel slightly ill. Rattling around clicking together in a box all shiny and white. Urrgh.

She shouldn't be pulling it out either, with the caveat that sometimes it's apparently necessary if it's causing problems for the new one. I left a stubborn one of DDs thinking it was wrong to ever pull them out and the dentist told me off and yanked it out.

I'd probably give DD an apple to eat and let it do its thing!

Raera · 01/09/2026 18:54

Tell her the tooth fairy took it

thistimelastweek · 01/09/2026 18:53

Those treasured first teeth look truly disgusting before very long but that's not the point.
They are not for MIL to pull and they are not for her to keep.

Lilyhatesjaz · 01/09/2026 18:53

I binned them all too. But if MIL keeps won't that upset the tooth fairy.

beaglescurleduplikebagels · 01/09/2026 18:53

fishonabicycle · 01/09/2026 18:50

Keeping teeth is creepy whoever does it - serial killer vibes.

Edited

This. I don't get why anyone would want to keep someone's dead teeth 😂

TheGreatDownandOut · 01/09/2026 18:52

ToKittyornottoKitty · 01/09/2026 18:52

Glad it’s not just me who thinks like this 😅

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I think this too!