The Original Tooth Fairy Poll has released its latest numbers

The value of a single lost tooth is falling throughout most of the country, but it remains on the rise in Washington and the West Coast.

That, according to the 2024 Original Tooth Fairy Poll from Delta Dental.

The average value of a single lost tooth during the past year went up 37 percent in the West to $8.54, up from $6.23 last year. 

The new value not only has children beaming with gap-toothed smiles, but also represents a record high in the 26-year history of the poll. 

Nationwide, however, the value of a lost tooth declined by 6 percent from $6.23 to $5.84. This is the first year-to-year decline in Tooth Fairy giving in five years.

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) for 16 of the past 20 years.

Here are some numbers, broken down by region:

1. West ($8.54): Surged ahead of the pack to lead U.S. regions with the highest monetary gift for a lost tooth, marking a 37% increase since last year’s results.
2. Northeast ($6.87): Increased 12% and surpassed the national average by more than $1.00.
3. South ($5.51): Dropped below the national average, after leading last year with $6.59 for a lost tooth.
4. Midwest ($3.63): Significantly trailed the national average with a 36% drop, returning close to its 2021 average of $3.66.

For parents with children who have recently lost a tooth Delta Dental of Washington offers free letters from the Tooth Fairy mailed directly to your child. Versions of the letter are offered for a first lost tooth, a lost tooth, a good dental checkup, and a version with words of encouragement for a less than positive dental exam. The Tooth Fairy also hosts a free Tooth Fairy Hotline, with pre-recorded messages with the same themes as the letters.

For more information from Delta Dental of Washington, visit its blog at www.deltadentalwa.com/blog and learn more about Delta Dental of Washington’s Tooth Fairy Experience free dental education program for kids at https://toothfairy.deltadentalwa.com/

The Original Tooth Fairy Poll was conducted between Jan. 3, 2024 and Jan. 17, 2024, among 1,000 parents of children ages 6 to 12. The margin of error is +/- 3%.

Delta Dental of Washington is a not-for-profit organization that covers close to 4 million people in the state. For more information, visit: www.deltadentalwa.com.

Editor’s note – Just for fun: How much is the tooth fairy leaving at your home? Or, for those with older children, how much was it when they lost a tooth, and when? Post your answers in the comments.

This story was submitted by Delta Dental of Washington