FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Tooth Fairy Is on a Budget
Average value of a lost tooth in the Northeast drops below $5.00 for the first time since 2020
BOSTON — February 27, 2025 — Even the Tooth Fairy is sticking to a budget. New findings from the Delta Dental 2025 Original Tooth Fairy Poll® reveal that the average value of a single lost tooth in the Northeast fell 33%, dropping below $5.00 for the first time in five years. February marks Children’s Dental Health Month, and February 28 is National Tooth Fairy Day.
Nationally, the average value of a lost tooth declined 14%, from $5.84 to $5.01—one of the most significant year-over-year decreases since the poll’s inception. While one in three parents (33%) say the Tooth Fairy still gives more for a child’s first tooth, the average value of that milestone dropped 12%, from $7.09 to $6.24 over the past year.
“While you can’t put a price on children’s dental health, the celebration of the Tooth Fairy is an important milestone in encouraging children to develop lifelong oral hygiene habits. We know that oral health is directly linked to overall health and wellness, so emphasizing healthy habits and preventive dental care at an early age—including regular dental visits—is critical.”
— Dr. Linda Vidone, DMD, Vice President of Clinical Management, Delta Dental of Massachusetts
Oral health tips for babies and children are available online.
Despite the recent decline in Tooth Fairy giving, the long-term trend remains positive. 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
- Northeast ($4.59): Dropped 33% and fell below $5.00 per tooth for the first time since 2020.
- South ($5.71): Overtook the West to lead the U.S. and was the only region to see a year-over-year increase.
- West ($5.69): Despite remaining above the national average, experienced a 33% drop, returning near its 2021 level.
- Midwest ($3.46): Continued to trail the national average for a second consecutive year.
The value of a lost tooth and the economy
Historically, the Original Tooth Fairy Poll® has tracked with the broader economy, often mirroring trends in the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (S&P 500). Since 2023, however, the two have diverged. Over the past year, the average value of a lost tooth decreased 14%, while the S&P 500 rose 26% during the same period.
About the poll
The Original Tooth Fairy Poll® was conducted between January 10 and January 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®.
For more information about the Delta Dental-sponsored survey and oral health tips for infants to pre-teen, visit the Original Tooth Fairy Poll®.
About Delta Dental of Massachusetts
Delta Dental of Massachusetts (www.deltadentalma.com), the largest provider of dental benefits in the state, is a leader in innovative programs that improve the overall health of members, prevent oral disease, and reduce health care costs for employers, groups and individuals. Headquartered in Charlestown, MA, Delta Dental of Massachusetts, a member of the Delta Dental Plans Association (www.deltadental.com), covers more than 2 million people.
Follow us on Twitter (@DeltaDentalofMA), Facebook (www.facebook.com/DeltaDentalMA), and Instagram (@deltadentalofma).
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, covering more than 89 million Americans and offering the country’s largest dental network with approximately 152,000 participating dentists. Over the last decade, Delta Dental companies and their foundations invested more than $1.9 billion to improve the oral and overall health of communities nationwide.
Visit deltadental.com for information on individual and group dental insurance plans.
