27 February 2025

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The Tooth Fairy is on a budget

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New findings from the Delta Dental 2025 Original Tooth Fairy Poll® revealed the average value of a single lost tooth during the past year declined by 14% from $5.84 to $5.01. This marks one of the most significant year-over-year declines in Tooth Fairy giving since the poll's inception. 

While 1 in 3 parents (33%) say the Tooth Fairy spends more on their child's first tooth, she also is pinching pennies in recognition of this milestone, with the average value dropping 12% from $7.09 to $6.24 over the past year.

However, her budget-conscious ways could be a good lesson for children, as nearly 1 in 5 parents (19%) say the Tooth Fairy helps teach their child about the value of money.

"For 27 years, Delta Dental has closely tracked the Tooth Fairy's giving habits to add a sprinkle of fun to children's oral health care," said Gabriella Ferroni, Senior Director, Strategic Communications, Delta Dental Plans Association. "While she may be in her thrifty era, the Tooth Fairy is a trusted ally in encouraging children to develop prudent, lifelong oral hygiene habits, including proper brushing and flossing. Every lost tooth is a reminder that healthy smiles start early."

Despite the decline in monetary giving, since the poll's inception in 1998, the average cash gift left by the Tooth Fairy has increased 285% from $1.30 to $5.01 per tooth.

U.S. regional ranking for the average value of a lost tooth

• South ($5.71): Overtook the West by a mere two cents to lead the U.S., and the only region to experience a year-over-year increase, up from $5.51 in 2024.
• West ($5.69): Despite surpassing the national average, the region experienced a significant 33% drop for a lost tooth, returning close to its 2021 average of $5.54.
• Northeast ($4.59): Dropped by 33% and fell below $5.00 per tooth for the first time since 2020.
• Midwest ($3.46): Continued to significantly trail the national average for a second consecutive year at under $4.00 per tooth.

The value of a lost tooth and the economy

Historically, the Original Tooth Fairy Poll® has typically mirrored the economy's overall direction, tracking with the trends of Standard & Poor's 500 Index (S&P 500). However, since 2023, the value of a lost tooth has gone in a different direction. Over the past year, the average value of a single lost tooth decreased 14%, while the S&P 500 experienced a 26% increase during the same period.

About the poll

The Original Tooth Fairy Poll® was conducted between Jan. 10, 2025 and Jan. 23, 2025, among 1,000 parents of children ages 6 to 12. The margin of error is +/- 3%.

The January 2024 S&P 500 average was 4,746 and increased to an average of 5,960 for January 2025, consistent with the timing of the Original Tooth Fairy Poll®.

About Delta Dental Plans Association

Based in Chicago, Illinois, Delta Dental Plans Association is the not-for-profit national association of the 39 independent Delta Dental companies. Through these companies, Delta Dental is the nation's largest dental benefits provider and offers the country's largest dental network with approximately 154,000 participating dentists. Over the last decade, Delta Dental companies and their foundations invested nearly $2 billion to improve the oral and overall health of our communities.

Source: www.deltadental.com