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Does the Tooth Fairy Give Your Kids More or Less Than the National Average?

Susan Shain

by Susan Shain

Contributor

How much does the tooth fairy bestow upon your kids?

Because, apparently, rates have gone way up since I eagerly hid teeth under my pillow.

I’m pretty sure I was stoked if I got a quarter… but then again, I could buy 25 pieces of teeth-rotting candy with that amount of money.

Regardless of inflation, I was surprised by two recent polls that reveal the going rate for baby teeth.

How Much Does the Tooth Fairy Leave?

The tooth fairy leaves an average of $3.91 per tooth, according to a survey by Delta Dental. And that’s even down 10% from last year.

Some of the other interesting findings, as reported by Kiplinger:

  • 40% of parents also leave toothbrushes; 33%, toothpaste.
  • On average, dads leave more than moms.
  • 20% of parents leave a $5 bill, and 5% leave a whopping $20 or more!
  • $1 is the most popular amount, left by 32% of parents.

Also worth noting, February 28 is apparently National Tooth Fairy Day.

Don’t celebrate too hard, though — from what I’ve heard, the tooth fairy doesn’t make an appearance when you lose a tooth as a grown-up.

Your Turn: How much does the tooth fairy leave for your kids?

Susan Shain, senior writer for The Penny Hoarder, is always seeking adventure on a budget. Visit her blog at susanshain.com, or say hi on Twitter @susan_shain.