An English translation by Mike Sevig and Turi Olderheim was published in the United States in 1986.

They have a very good life, especially when Jens eats white bread with syrup and fails to brush his teeth afterwards.

Eventually their homes are destroyed by the work of a dentist and they are rinsed out of Jens' mouth through proper dental care.

[4][5] The story of Karius and Bactus, with its humorous illustrations and important message, has become a classic of Norwegian children's literature.

Since its publication, the idea of "tooth trolls" has been used as a pedagogical device for generations of Scandinavian children.