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The results are in! Tooth Fairy Poll from Delta Dental
February 28, 2026/
After all the dreary cold and snow this past week, we have some fun news to report from Delta Dental! The results of the annual Original Tooth Fairy Poll were released this week and the average value of a lost tooth increased 17% over last year — and the value’s even higher here in New England!
The average value of a single lost tooth across the U.S. is $5.84 (compared to $5.01 last year), and here in the Northeast we are leading the pack at $6.45 (a 41% year-over-year jump from last year). That means more money in kids’ pockets for all their toothbrush and floss purchases. (Or maybe they’ll just spend it on their favorite toys!)
Delta Dental’s annual Tooth Fairy Poll is part of an ongoing effort to encourage good oral health habits and positive dental care in children. Along with the findings of the annual survey, Delta Dental also distributes family-friendly resources, toolkits and children’s activity books aiming to boost oral health literacy and instill healthy dental habits, all of which can be found by clicking here.
Some more standout stats:
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The loss of a first tooth is also being rewarded more generously (On average, a first tooth is now valued at $7.17, up from $6.24 in 2025)
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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.
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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.
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