Did you notice less under your child’s pillow this year? Delta Dental 2025 Original Tooth Fairy Poll® shows a 14% drop in average payout—one of the largest year-over-year declines. This study also dives into what this means for family traditions, budgeting, and teaching healthy habits.
How much is the Tooth Fairy giving in 2025?
The Tooth Fairy’s generosity has seen better days, and it seems even she is sticking to a budget this year. According to the latest poll, the average value of a single lost tooth has dropped by 14%, going from $5.84 to $5.01. This decline marks one of the most significant year-over-year drops since the poll began.
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, adding 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 remains 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 recent decline in monetary gifts, the average cash gift left by the Tooth Fairy has increased by 285% since the poll’s inception in 1998, starting from $1.30.
Where is the Tooth Fairy most generous?
The South leads the nation, giving an average of $5.71. This is the only region to experience a year-over-year increase, up from $5.51 in 2024.
U.S. regional ranking for the average value of a lost tooth
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South ($5.71)
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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.
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Northeast ($4.59): Dropped by 33% and fell below $5.00 per tooth for the first time since 2020.
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Midwest ($3.46): Continued to significantly trail the national average for a second consecutive year at under $4.00 per tooth.
The Tooth Fairy Visits More Homes Than Ever
Despite a drop in the amount given, the Tooth Fairy's wings have been in overdrive this year. The study found the Tooth Fairy has visited more than 8 in 10 homes (83%) across the country. This is an increase from 2024 when the Tooth Fairy had visited 78% of homes. This is welcome news, as nearly one-quarter of children (23%) consider the Tooth Fairy's visit one of their favorite surprises of the year.
Further, approximately one-third of parents say that welcoming the Tooth Fairy into their home fosters their child's imagination or sense of wonder (35%), and the visit was the perfect way to spread joy (30%).
While there may be more visits, the Tooth Fairy is scaling back on additional gifts, with just 1 in 6 children (16%) receiving both money and something else compared to 21% in 2024.
The Importance of this Magical Tradition
The Tooth Fairy is known for adding a sprinkle of magic that turns a loose tooth into something to look forward to. Many parents agreed, seeing it as a way to make dental milestones exciting and memorable. On top of that, around 19% of parents use the experience to teach their kids about the value of money and smart saving habits.
U.S. Regional Rankings for the Average Value of a Lost Tooth
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South ($5.71): Leading the U.S., the South overtook the West by a mere two cents and was the only region to see a year-over-year increase, up from $5.51 in 2024.
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West ($5.69): Despite surpassing the national average, the West saw a significant 33% drop, returning close to its 2021 average of $5.54.
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Northeast ($4.59): Dropped by 33%, falling below $5.00 per tooth for the first time since 2020.
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Midwest ($3.46): Continued to significantly trail the national average for the second consecutive year, remaining under $4.00 per tooth.
The Value of a Lost Tooth and the Economy
Historically, the Original Tooth Fairy Poll® has mirrored the economy's overall direction, tracking trends with the Standard & Poor's 500 Index (S&P 500). However, since 2023, the value of a lost tooth has diverged from the S&P 500’s performance. Over the past year, the average value of a single lost tooth decreased by 14%, while the S&P 500 saw a 26% increase during the same period.
Tips for Parents
The Tooth Fairy might be entering a more frugal phase, but the magic isn’t gone — and neither is the opportunity for meaningful conversations about dental care and money smarts. When the fairy visits, talk about what healthy smiles look like! A simple brush + floss routine can go a long way in ensuring that each tooth leaving the mouth is a healthy one. Find activities and brush tracking guides to share with your children on our Kids Corner page!
About the poll
The Original Tooth Fairy Poll® was conducted between January 10, 2025, and January 23, 2025, among 1,000 parents of children ages 6 to 12. The margin of error is +/- 3%.
For more details about the Delta Dental-sponsored survey and oral health tips for children, visit the Original Tooth Fairy Poll®.