In honor of National Tooth Fairy Day on February 28, Delta Dental of Oklahoma released new findings from the 2023 Original Tooth Fairy Poll. Results show the average value of a single lost tooth during the past year increased 16% from $5.36 to $6.23. Regional results that include Oklahoma track closely to the overall U.S. average and show a 14% increase from $5.77 last year to $6.59 in 2023.

The new value represents a record high in the 25-year history of the poll. Since the poll’s inception, the average cash gift left by the Tooth Fairy has surged 379% from $1.30 to $6.23 per tooth.

“We are encouraged to see Tooth Fairy giving in the South, inclusive of Oklahoma, is higher than any other region in the country,” said Delta Dental of Oklahoma President and CEO John Gladden. “Delta Dental of Oklahoma’s mission is to advance to oral health of all Oklahomans, and generosity from the Tooth Fairy helps to reinforce the importance of oral health for children in our state.”

The worth of a lost tooth and the economy Historically, the Original Tooth Fairy Poll has typically mirrored the economy’s overall direction, tracking with the trends of Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (S&P 500). However, while the average value of a single lost tooth increased 16% over the past year, the S&P 500 experienced an 11% decline during the same period.

U.S. regional ranking for the average value of a lost tooth South, inclusive of Oklahoma ($6.59): Led U.S. regions with the highest monetary gift for a lost tooth, marking a 14% increase since last year’s results.

West ($6.25): Increased 53%, despite being only two cents higher than the national average. Northeast ($6.14): Dropped below the national average, after leading last year with $7.36 for a lost tooth.

Midwest ($5.63): While still trailing the national average, it went up $1.36 (32%).

About the survey The Original Tooth Fairy Poll was conducted between Jan. 6, 2023 and Jan. 19, 2023, among 1,000 parents of children ages 6 to 12. The margin of error is +/3%.

The January 2022 S&P 500 average was 4,410 and decreased to an average of 3,942 for January 2023, consistent with the timing of the Original Tooth Fairy Poll.

For more information about the Delta Dental-sponsored survey and oral health tips for infants to pre-teen, visit the Original Tooth Fairy Poll.