Even the tooth fairy is cutting spending

The tooth fairy is paying 14% less than last year, marking the largest drop in 27 years. The American child received an average of $ 5.01 per tooth, the lowest value among monitored countries.

Times are difficult for mythical childhood beings. Santa will probably bring fewer toys this holiday season, as rates and economic uncertainty make their helpers become more aware of the budget. Now, even the tooth fairy is cutting spending.

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Delta dental, in the last 27 years, has been following how tooth fairy leaves under the children’s pillow when they lose teeth. And the latest study shows an average price per tooth of $ 5.01 in the US. This represents a 14% drop from $ 5.84 last year – the largest ever recorded.

In addition, the tooth fairy is giving fewer additional gifts. Last year, 21% of children said they received “something more” along with the money. This year, this number fell to 16%.

“Since 1998, Delta Dental has been following the tooth fairy gifts as a timely reminder for families that good oral health is an essential part of the child’s general well-being,” wrote Delta Dental in a press release.

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The 2025 drop also means that for the first time since 2000, the S&P index exceeded the tooth fairy index (which measures the highs and falls in the value left by tooth). This is the first year the real market exceeded the tooth fairy.

Tooth prices still had great gains in the 21st century. In 2000, a tooth was worth a little under $ 2, which means an increase of more than 150% since then.

Want to know how much the tooth fairy paid in other countries? (Spoiler: Children from other countries are better than American.) See the current average:

Japan – ¥ 752 (US $ 5.12)
Ireland – € 4.80 (US $ 5.62)
Spain – € 4.80 (US $ 5.62)
England – £ 3.97 (US $ 5.39)
Canada – US $ 7.13 (US $ 5.17)
Brazil – R $ 28.68 (US $ 5.31)
Costa Rica – ₡ 2,535.44 (US $ 5.02)