Tooth Fairy’s Cash Payouts Hit All-Time High
The Tooth Fairy is feeling a bit more generous these days. According to Delta Dental’s 13th annual Tooth Fairy survey, cash payouts have soared to an all-time high average of $4.66. That’s a 75-cent increase from 2015.
The Tooth Fairy’s generosity has historically been a good indicator of the economy. The poll shows the Tooth Fairy’s cash payout increase is within a percentage point of the S&P 500’s.
Last year, the Tooth Fairy paid about $290.6 million in the U.S. for lost teeth, a 13.5% increase from 2015. Cash payouts for a first lost tooth are up about 10% to $5.72. First-tooth payouts are typically higher than average.
By region, Tooth Fairy payouts are highest in the West: $5.96 ($6.89 for the first tooth); followed by the Northeast at $5.08 ($6.31); the South at $4.57 ($4.88); and the Midwest at $4.04 ($5.70).
