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. The average cash payout for a lost tooth in the Northeast, which includes New Jersey, is $4.59. It dropped by 33% compared to last year when it was $6.87 and fell below $5.00 per tooth for the first time since 2020.
This year’s Delta Dental Original Tooth Fairy Poll® marks one of the most significant year-over-year declines in Tooth Fairy giving since the poll’s 1998 inception. The average value of a single lost tooth during the past year declined by 14% from $5.84 to $5.01.
“It appears the Tooth Fairy, like many families, is adjusting her budget in response to the current economic climate,” said Paul Di Maio, President and CEO of Delta Dental of New Jersey. “Children finding a gift from the Tooth Fairy under their pillows is a time-honored tradition and serves as a reminder of why it’s so important they maintain good oral health habits and keep their smiles healthy long after their baby teeth are gone.”
Children lose 20 baby teeth from the ages of six through 12.
Despite the decline in monetary giving, the average cash gift left by the Tooth Fairy has increased 285% from $1.30 to $5.01 per tooth since the Tooth Fairy Poll began.
For more insights from the Delta Dental Original Tooth Fairy Poll® and tips on maintaining healthy smiles, visit Delta Dental of New Jersey’s website.
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.
About Delta Dental of New Jersey
Delta Dental of New Jersey, Inc. is New Jersey’s leading dental benefits company, providing or administering coverage to more than 2.1 million people through contracts with groups and individuals in New Jersey and Connecticut. In Connecticut, Delta Dental of Connecticut, Inc. is a licensed insurer that writes dental and vision coverage on an insured basis, and Delta Dental of New Jersey administers self-funded dental benefit programs.
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®.
For more information about the Delta Dental-sponsored survey and oral health tips for infants to pre-teen, visit the Original Tooth Fairy Poll®.