Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Stages

How much does the tooth fairy pay? The answer may shock you

Average tooth fairy rate per tooth

Sarah Prager
By

While kids may wonder “is the tooth fairy real?” — parents more likely wonder “how much does the tooth fairy pay?” There has been a lot of inflation since parents lost their own baby teeth, and going rates have changed. While you can (of course) give whatever you want, kids at school will be discussing what the tooth fairy gave them and if the number is different, there could be confusion or disappointment.

It’s best to be prepared when deciding how much the tooth fairy will give for a tooth at your home by knowing what the average rate the tooth fairy gives out nationally is.

Smile with missing tooth
pxfuel

Dental insurance provider Delta Dental has been polling parents of children ages 6 to 12 across a broad spectrum of the U.S. population (not just those with dental insurance) annually since 1998. While the value of a baby tooth started out at $1.30 at the poll’s inception, the average rate stood at $6.23 in February 2023.

Graph showing rate of tooth fairy payout rate compared s&P
Credit: Delta Dental Delta Dental

Average rates vary by region:

  • Midwest: $5.63 (increased 14% over 2022)
  • Northeast: $6.14 (dropped from $7.36 in 2022)
  • West: $6.25 (increased 53% over 2022)
  • South: $6.59 (increased 32% over 2022)
Recommended Videos

This $6+ record-high number represents an increase of 16% from 2022 and continues a trend of rapid increases. In 2019, the average rate was $3.70, in 2020, it was $4.03, in 2021, it was $4.70, and in 2022, it was $5.36. If the rate continues to jump half a dollar or more every year, kids could be raking in over $10 for every tooth by the time today’s kids are done losing their teeth.

With inflation of tooth fairy payouts that high, parents need to consider how high they are willing to go and if they will set a flat rate for all teeth from the start or if the rate will increase over time. Does the tooth fairy give more or less money based on good or bad behavior, the size of the tooth, or any other factor? Does the tooth fairy give prizes or gifts that aren’t money at all?

The amount of $6.23 might be higher than many parents who are new to being the tooth fairy likely imagined giving for a tooth, given the past averages, but it is the average rate others are already giving — so if you’re worried about your kid comparing notes at school, keep the current rate in mind.

However, be careful with allowing you or your child to be influenced by comparing to others. Letting what others receive in this situation sends a message that it’s also OK to care about what kinds of toys others get. Your kids may want the latest gadgets like their classmates, and not letting the amount that the tooth fairy gave one child versus another is one way to teach deemphasizing what others get.

No matter what amount they receive, kids will be excited to get anything at all from the tooth fairy because it answers that wondrous question, “is the tooth fairy real?”

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Sarah Prager
Sarah Prager
Contributor
Sarah is a writer and mom who lives in Massachusetts. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, National…
How much water should a 1-year-old drink? What you need to know
Here's how to keep your little human hydrated
Toddler drinking glass of water.

Once your child is eating solid foods, they need to drink enough liquids to balance their diet out. Milk is likely still a huge part of your child's daily diet, with them probably drinking it more than water. Although milk is important for toddlers to drink to help with the development of their bones and teeth, it's important they drink water every day. If you're wondering how much water should a 1-year-old drink, here's what you need to know.

How much water your child should drink
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), 1-year-olds should drink 1 to 4 cups (8 to 32 ounces) of water per day and 2 to 3 cups (16 to 24 ounces) per day of whole milk.

Read more
Why do kids eat boogers? How to stop this nasty behavior
Boogers don't taste good, so why do kids eat them?
A young girl picking her nose with her mother in the background looking grossed out.

On the one hand, children are adorable, beautiful, sweet, and of course, funny. Yet, on the other hand, kids are pretty gross. The things your sweet child sneaks by you can also be super disgusting. Ask any teacher. One of the most cringe-worthy things kiddos do is eat their boogers. Every child does it. You may not remember it, but if you asked your parents, they’ll say they caught you a time or two trying your own nose boogs.

Why do kids eat boogers in the first place? It seems like don't eat your snot is something parents should never have to say. Well, children are weird and will try anything if left unattended. You always encourage your child to try new things and unfortunately, the taste of their boogers is on the list. Most parents, though, don't want their kids experimenting with the taste of boogers. So, let us help you get your child’s nose picking (and taste testing) under control by understanding why kids eat boogers in the first place.

Read more
How do you determine fetal weight? Use an estimated fetal weight calculator
Here's why estimated fetal weight is important
A pregnant woman holding a laptop in her lap while holding her belly.

Knowing how much your baby weighs while in the womb isn't just a good way to help mentally prepare for childbirth, but it's also an important marker for fetal development that can impact wellness outcomes during childhood and adolescence.

Low birth weight can affect brain development in infancy and childhood, as studies have shown that it has an impact on cerebral cortex development well into adolescence. The cerebral cortex is the area of the brain that is responsible for functions such as consciousness, thought, emotion, reasoning, language, and memory. It's a pretty big deal.

Read more