A tooth fairy pillow case where children can insert a tooth and receive cash|Teresa DownUnder|CC BY-NC 2.0
Parents moonlighting as tooth fairies, take note: the payout for your kid’s missing molar has jumped 17% to $5.84 per tooth nationally, according to Delta Dental’s 2026 Original Tooth Fairy Poll.
The significant increase follows a brief slump from the 2023 record high of $6.23.
Experts note that tooth-fairy gifts have served as an economic indicator for over 30 years, and the new average price signals a renewed sense of consumer confidence. It shows the generous under-the-pillow spending habits among US households with children.
Regional differences remain notable
-
The Northeast currently leads the nation with an average of $6.45, while the Midwest saw a staggering 52% surge to reach $5.27.
-
Milestone moments bring even bigger rewards. A child’s first lost tooth now earns an average of $7.17, up from $6.24 last year.
Beyond cash, 32% of children received non-monetary gifts, a sharp rise from 19% in 2025.
Fun fact: the Delta Dental poll began in 1998 when a tooth fetched a mere $1.30.