The Tooth Fairy seems to be tightening her belt.
Findings from the Delta Dental 2024 Original Tooth Fairy Poll® revealed the average value of a single lost tooth during the past year declined by 6% from $6.23 to $5.84. It’s the first year-over-year decline in Tooth Fairy giving in five years.
While the loss of a first tooth typically commands a premium, the poll also found the Tooth Fairy is minding her pennies in celebration of this milestone, with the average value dropping from $7.29 to $7.09 over the past year.
“Delta Dental has tracked U.S. Tooth Fairy giving trends for 26 years as a timely way to spotlight the importance of children’s oral health,” said Gabriella Ferroni, senior director for strategic communications at Delta Dental Plans Association. “It is not a surprise to see she tightened her purse strings following last year’s record high. Despite the more economical reward, Tooth Fairy giving is a fun conversation starter to encourage good oral hygiene habits at an early age.”
The worth of a lost tooth and the economy
Historically, the Original Tooth Fairy Poll® has typically mirrored the economy’s overall direction, tracking with Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (S&P 500) trends. However, in 2023, the value of a lost tooth went in a different direction, and it continues in 2024. The average value of a single lost tooth decreased by 6% over the past year, while the S&P 500 experienced a 20% increase during the same period.
Graphic from Delta Dental
U.S. regional ranking for the average value of a lost tooth
- West ($8.54): Surged ahead of the pack to lead U.S. regions with the highest monetary gift for a lost tooth, marking a 37% increase since last year’s results.
- Northeast ($6.87): Increased 12% and surpassed the national average by more than $1.00.
- South ($5.51): Dropped below the national average, after leading last year with $6.59 for a lost tooth.
- Midwest ($3.63): Significantly trailed the national average with a 36% drop, returning close to its 2021 average of $3.66.
About the survey
The Original Tooth Fairy Poll® was conducted between Jan. 3, 2024, and Jan. 17, 2024, among 1,000 parents of children ages 6 to 12. The margin of error is +/- 3%.
The January 2023 S&P 500 average was 3,942 and increased to an average of 4,746 for January 2024, consistent with the timing of the Original Tooth Fairy Poll®.
Recently lost a tooth?
For more information about the Delta Dental-sponsored survey and oral health tips for infants to pre-teens, visit the Original Tooth Fairy Poll. For more on the history of the tooth fairy, you may want to check out “Where did the Tooth Fairy come from? A fun history for kids.”
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