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The Tooth Fairy Is Paying More Than Ever Before—Here’s How Much Lost Teeth Go for These Days (Hint: It’s Way More Than You Ever Got)

When I was a kid, nothing was more exciting than a wiggly tooth because it meant I didn’t have long to wait until the Tooth Fairy came. Every time I woke up to discover a crisp dollar bill under my pillow, I felt rich. I couldn’t wait to spend it on candy, much to my dentist‘s dismay. But times have changed, and $1 doesn’t go very far today—I probably couldn’t even buy a pack of gum (sugar-free, of course).

Fortunately, the Tooth Fairy has taken inflation into account. Delta Dental just released its annual Original Tooth Fairy Poll, which found the Tooth Fairy is paying top dollar for baby teeth these days. I dug into the report, and you won’t believe some of these hauls! (Or maybe you will since you’re paying.) Keep reading to find out the going rate for lost teeth in the United States and around the world.

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The Tooth Fairy pays how much for lost teeth?

Kids, there’s never been a better time to lose your baby teeth. In 2026, the Tooth Fairy pays an average of $5.84 for a single tooth. And if it’s your first lost tooth? Lucky you! You’re getting the premium rate: $7.17 for that one-time event. Yes, the Tooth Fairy knows just how special that milestone is in a kid’s life.

To find out just how much the Tooth Fairy pays for lost teeth, Delta Dental went straight to the source, polling 1,000 real tooth fairies (er, parents of children between the ages of 6 and 12) from Jan. 5 to Jan. 15, 2026. It then determined the average rates and broke out the results by region. The idea is to promote good oral health, but let’s be real: It’s just plain fun too.

How does that compare with past years?

The first Original Tooth Fairy Poll took place in 1998, and at the time, the Tooth Fairy payout averaged $1.30 per tooth. Over the years, that rate has increased by an incredible 349% to this year’s nearly $6 average.

Historically, the value of a lost tooth tends to increase every year, but over the past few years, that hasn’t been the case. In 2023, the value of a lost baby tooth began a two-year decline that finally ended with this year’s poll.

“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 of strategic communications at Delta Dental Plans Association, in a press release.

How much does the Tooth Fairy pay in different regions of the U.S.?

Believe it or not, the Tooth Fairy is pretty financially savvy and takes regional costs of living into consideration. In the pricier Northeast, the Tooth Fairy pays higher amounts than in the rest of the country, while the Midwestern Tooth Fairy has more affordable rates (though they are moving up fast and had the biggest year-over-year jump).

Here’s a breakdown of what the Tooth Fairy pays by region across the country, including the difference from last year:

  • Northeast: $6.45, a 41% increase
  • West: $5.99, a 5% increase
  • South: $5.89, a 3% increase
  • Midwest: $5.27, a 52% increase

How much do lost teeth go for in other countries?

The U.S. isn’t the only country with rituals surrounding lost baby teeth. In France, a little mouse called La Petite Souris leaves money or gifts under a child’s pillow. Spain has a similar folk character. In other countries, including Japan, India and Korea, lost baby teeth are thrown onto the roof!

Of course, the monetary value of a tooth varies. Here’s how much lost teeth are worth around the world:

  • Brazil: 30.57 Brazilian real
  • Canada: 8 Canadian dollars
  • Costa Rica: 2808.36 Costa Rican colón
  • England: 4.34 British pounds
  • Ireland: 4.96 euros
  • Japan: 904 Japanese yen
  • Spain: 4.96 euros

What can we learn from this Tooth Fairy news?

Strangely enough, the Tooth Fairy follows the stock market. (That’s probably why rates are skyrocketing.) With few exceptions, the value of baby teeth has mirrored the S&P 500 and the economy in general.

Delta Dental’s Tooth Fairy Index has been a reliable indicator of economic conditions in the U.S. for nearly 30 years, and this year, it’s back on track for the first time since 2022. In 2026, the value of a lost tooth grew 17% from the previous year, while the S&P 500 went up 16%. Whew!

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Sources:

Snow Day Superstitions Kids Believe

Favorite Crayola Colors by Generation

The Easter Bunny's Interesting History

The post The Tooth Fairy Is Paying More Than Ever Before—Here’s How Much Lost Teeth Go for These Days (Hint: It’s Way More Than You Ever Got) appeared first on Reader's Digest.



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