Club Ratoncito Pérez
How can I turn brushing teeth into a fun habit instead of a daily battle?
What should I do if my child refuses to brush their teeth?
Is it better to use rewards rather than punishments when it comes to brushing teeth?
What should I do if my child is afraid of the dentist?
Ratoncito Pérez is the Spanish tooth mouse. In Spain and many Spanish-speaking countries, he plays the same role as the Tooth Fairy does elsewhere.
According to the story, Ratoncito Pérez visits at night when a child loses a baby tooth. The child places the tooth under their pillow; by the next morning, the tooth is gone, replaced by a small gift, a coin, or a banknote.
The legend originated in the late 19th century. In 1894, the Spanish writer Luis Coloma penned a story about Ratoncito Pérez for the young King Alfonso XIII of Spain, written to mark the occasion of the king losing his first baby tooth. Since then, Ratoncito Pérez has become a beloved figure in Spanish culture.
What Ratoncito Pérez does:
- 🦷 He collects children's baby teeth.
- 🎁 He rewards good brushing habits and the loss of a tooth with a surprise.
- 🌙 He visits children only at night.
- ❤️ He symbolizes a positive, exciting experience surrounding the loss of baby teeth.
The idea behind Club Rationcito Pérez is that a child learns because they enjoy the process and take pride in their achievements.
Through stories, challenges, rewards, and regular dental visits, children discover that a healthy mouth is fun and that the dentist is a friend—not something to be afraid of.
This aligns with the way similar Ratoncito Pérez initiatives combine prevention, positive experiences, and play to teach children healthy habits.
He is the ideal mascot for Club Ratoncito Pérez. He can be much more than just the Tooth Mouse:
- he helps parents make brushing teeth fun instead of a daily battle.
- he encourages children to brush twice a day.
- he rewards healthy brushing habits with stickers, certificates, and small gifts.
- he teaches children that having healthy teeth is an adventure they can be proud of.
- he ensures children no longer have to be afraid of the dentist.
- In this way, the traditional Spanish legend takes on a modern, educational dimension.
The idea behind Club Ratoncito Pérez is that a child learns because they enjoy it and take pride in what they have achieved.
Join Club Ratoncito Pérez
It’s easy to join
The concept is based on positive motivation: Ratoncito Pérez turns brushing teeth into an adventure rather than a chore.
Here’s how it works in practice:
- Collecting stickers: Every time a child brushes properly in the morning and evening, they earn a sticker.
- Experiencing an adventure: Ratoncito Pérez encourages the child with stories, tasks, or small challenges, creating a sense of belonging to a special club.
- Achieving goals: The child works towards milestones, such as collecting 25, 75, and 100 stickers.
- Member competition: Children can playfully compare their sticker count with other club members. This motivates them to beat their own personal best, without winning being the main objective.
- Receiving surprises: Each milestone is followed by a check-up at the dental practice and a fitting reward. The emphasis is on effort, not just the final result.
- Pride and self-confidence: Successful experiences encourage the child to maintain the habit, without a parent constantly having to offer reminders or corrections.
- Member of the secrid Clubhuis Ratoncito Pérez Facebook group: Here I share my adventures, secret messages, funny stories, prank challenges, surprises, and occasionally something that makes grown-ups think: "Did that mouse really say that?"
The ultimate goal is for tooth brushing to become a natural, everyday habit. The stickers, stories, and surprises serve as tools to build this habit in a fun way. Once the behavior is ingrained, the child relies less on external rewards and brushes because they understand the importance and because it has become part of their daily routine.
With the Club Ratoncito Pérez membership, you and your child gain access to the full program, including:
- 🦷 4 personal check-ups
- Initial check-up
- Check-up after 25 stickers + a fun surprise
- Check-up after 50 stickers + a fun surprise
- Final check-up after 100 stickers + a special surprise
- 👩⚕️ Personal guidance from the dentist and dental hygienist for both parent and child.
- 🎫 A personalized Club Ratoncito Pérez membership card.
- ⭐ A personalized sticker chart with matching stickers.
- 📸 A signed photo of Ratoncito Pérez.
- 💌 Positive motivation and encouragement for your child via email.
- 📚 Fun and educational stories about Ratoncito Pérez and Juan, delivered straight to your inbox.
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Total price: €120
🐭 Ratoncito Pérez is visiting your school!
Ratoncito Pérez is coming to your school for a fun, interactive introduction to healthy teeth.
Through play, children discover why brushing properly is so important and get to know the world of Ratoncito Pérez.
During the visit:
- 🦷 Fun and educational stories.
- 🎨 Coloring and hands-on activities.
- ✨ Practical brushing tips.
- 🎁 A brushing diploma and a fun surprise for every child.
- ⭐ Meeting Ratoncito Pérez.
- Our goal is to get children excited about healthy teeth in a positive, playful way—without fear, and with plenty of fun!
Interested?
Contact Clínica dental Monte Blanco to schedule a visit to your school.
Together, we’ll ensure radiant smiles! 🐭🪥✨
Ratoncito Pérez’s very first adventure: how he became the Tooth Mouse
A long, long time ago, deep underground, lived a little mouse with a big heart. His name was Ratoncito Pérez.
Ratoncito was curious and loved helping children. He collected shiny pebbles, listened to stories, and enjoyed making gifts for his friends. But he didn't have a special job yet.
One evening, he heard a soft sound above him.
“Sniff… sniff…”
Ratoncito climbed up through a small tunnel and saw a child lying in bed. The child was holding a tiny tooth.
“My tooth fell out,” the child said sadly. “I don’t know where to keep it.”
Ratoncito smiled.
“Losing a tooth isn’t a sad thing,” he said. “It means you’re growing up!”
He carefully took the tooth and turned an acorn into a small box. Inside, he placed a lovely coin and a sweet note: “Thank you for your beautiful tooth. Take good care of your new smile!”
The next morning, the child woke up and found the gift. “Who did this?” the child asked in surprise.
Ratoncito heard this from beneath the floorboards and smiled proudly.
From that day on, he received more and more requests. Children all over the world were losing their teeth and hoping the little mouse would visit.
But Ratoncito wanted to do his job well. He made a large map showing all the houses, a small pouch for teeth, and a golden key that fit the door of every child's room.
His mouse friends asked, “Why do you do this, anyway?”
Ratoncito replied, “Because every tooth tells a story. A tooth means a child is growing, learning, and getting stronger. I want to remind children that their smile is something special.”
And so, Ratoncito Pérez officially became the guardian of children's smiles.
From that night on, he traveled quietly through the passages beneath the houses, across rooftops, and past little bedrooms…
Always on the lookout for a lost tooth and a child who could use a little courage.
And to this day, Ratoncito Pérez still sets out on his rounds…
Bedtime story: Ratoncito Pérez’s secret rule – Grandpa’s story
"Ratoncito Pérez doesn't visit everyone, you know," Grandpa said in a low, serious voice.
I froze and clutched the tooth I had just lost tightly in my hand. "He doesn't?"
"No." Grandpa leaned forward with a twinkle in his eye. "He’s picky. Ratoncito Pérez only takes teeth that shine and are well cared for. Teeth that are brushed and flossed every day."
I blinked and looked at my tooth. "But... doesn't he take all the teeth?"
Grandpa chuckled. "I used to think so too. Until one night... he didn't come."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, discolored box. Inside lay an old, yellowed tooth—dull and slightly crooked. "This one was mine. I didn't take good care of it, so Ratoncito Pérez left it behind."
I stared at the tooth, wide-eyed. "Why didn't he take it?"
Grandpa sighed. "He loves teeth that are strong and clean. You see, when I was your age, I didn't think brushing or flossing twice a day was all that important. I thought losing a tooth was enough to earn a visit. But Ratoncito Pérez... he’s smarter than that. He only wants the very best teeth to make all sorts of magical things with them in his Tooth Bank."
All sorts of thoughts raced through my mind. What if Ratoncito Pérez didn't want my teeth either?
"What should I do?" I asked.
Grandpa smiled. "It’s simple. Brush your teeth every morning and evening, and don't forget to floss. Plaque—that sticky stuff on your teeth—hides in between them. If you don't remove it, your teeth get weak."
I nodded, realizing how important this task was. "I’m going to make sure my teeth are cleaner than ever!"
"That's the spirit," Grandpa said, patting me on the back.
"And don't forget: Ratoncito Pérez will notice. You still have plenty of teeth left. Make sure they're ready for him."
That evening, I put my tooth under my pillow; I was a little nervous, but determined. As I drifted off to sleep, I knew I wasn't just waiting for Ratoncito Pérez—I was also making sure he’d be proud of my effort.
Courtesy of the StarSmilez Collective Oral Health Library
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