How much money does the Tooth Fairy leave under your little one’s pillow? If you are wondering what the going rate is, Delta Dental has the answer. The Original Tooth Fairy Poll discovered that payouts are at a record high.
The poll, conducted between Dec. 28, 2020 and Jan. 8, 2021, found that the average cash gift reached $4.70, which is its highest point in the poll’s 23-year history, beating its previous high back in 2017.
“The annual Tooth Fairy Poll is a bit of light-hearted fun to draw attention to good oral care, starting with baby teeth,” said Dave Hawsey, vice president of marketing at Delta Dental of Arkansas. “Although baby teeth fall out, they are important for kids to learn how to speak, eat and smile properly.”
While the average payout hovers close to the $5 mark, the exact amount is dependent on location. In Arkansas, as across the South, the Tooth Fairy pays about $4.45, tracking the U.S. average most closely. Baby teeth fetch the least in the Midwest ($3.66), and the most in the North ($5.72) and the West ($5.54).
“Even though the Tooth Fairy is a bit coy about disclosing financial details, she has been known to pay a premium for shiny, healthy teeth that will be used to build her castle in Glitterville,” Hawsey said.
