Losing a tooth is paying off this year! Delta Dental 2026 Original Tooth Fairy Poll® shows a 17% increase in the average value of a single tooth lost in the part year. The increase marks the end of a two-year decline, as it is the first year-over-year increase in Tooth Fairy giving since 2023. According to the latest poll, the average value of a single lost tooth has gone from $5.01 to $5.84. This brings it back up to the average we saw two years ago in 2024.
The loss of a first tooth is also being rewarded more generously, worth 23% more than the average lost tooth. On average, a first tooth is now valued at $7.17, up from $6.24 in 2025. More than 1 in 3 parents (38%) say the Tooth Fairy leaves extra for their child’s first tooth compared with future teeth.
More kids are waking up to gifts beyond cash, as non-monetary presents from the Tooth Fairy are on the rise. Nearly 1 in 3 children (32%) received a physical gift this year, up from 19% in 2025.
“After a couple of thrifty years, the Tooth Fairy decided it was time to give kids a well-deserved raise,” said Gabriella Ferroni, Senior Director, Strategic Communications, Delta Dental Plans Association. “For the past 28 years, Delta Dental has tracked Tooth Fairy giving trends to help teach children about caring for their oral health through a trusted partner—the Tooth Fairy. The beloved tradition gives kids a reason to celebrate their healthy smiles.”
Since the poll’s inception in 1998, the average cash gift left by the Tooth Fairy has surged 349% from $1.30 to $5.84 per tooth.
Where is the Tooth Fairy most generous?
The Northeast leads the nation, giving an average of $6.45, a 41% year-over-year jump. In 2025, the Northeast's average was $4.59.
U.S. regional ranking for the average value of a lost tooth
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Northeast ($6.45): A major leap from the $4.59 average they saw last year.
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West ($5.99): Held steady in second place with a 5% increase from last year.
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South ($5.89): Dropped from the top spot in 2025, despite a 3% increase in giving.
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Midwest ($5.27): Made a big leap with a 52% year-over-year gain, narrowing the gap with the rest of the country.
The Tooth Fairy Visits More Homes Than Ever
The Tooth Fairy's wings have been in overdrive this year. The study found the Tooth Fairy has visited 80% of homes across the country this year. Parents welcome her visits because they give their child something to be excited about (50%) and maintain a family tradition (47%). Parents also note that the Tooth Fairy helps comfort the child, making the experience feel less scary (43%). In fact, one-third of children go to bed early on nights they expect the Tooth Fairy's visit (33%). The excitement doesn't stop there, with 1 in 10 kids creating crafts requesting a Tooth Fairy visit and nearly 1 in 5 kids write her letters.
The tooth fairy continues to follow tradition by primarily leaving gifts under children's pillows (79%); however, she is also exploring new locations, such as in a special Tooth Fairy box or envelopes (10%).
The Value of a Lost Tooth and the Economy
Historically, the Original Tooth Fairy Poll® has typically mirrored the economy's overall direction, tracking with the trends of Standard & Poor's 500 Index (S&P 500). In recent years, however, the value of a lost tooth diverged from this pattern. For the first time since 2022, the poll has realigned with market trends. Over the past year, the average value of a single lost tooth increased 17%, in line with a similar 16% increase in the S&P 500 during the same period.
Tips for Parents
Tooth Fairy visits can be a great 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 Jan. 5, 2026 and Jan. 15, 2026, among 1,000 parents of children ages 6 to 12. The margin of error is +/- 3%.
The January 2025 S&P 500 average was 5,960 and increased to an average of 6,941 for January 2026, 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®.