5 Places Where the Tooth Fairy Is Most Generous — How Much Are You Shelling Out?

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If you have little kids at home, you’re probably sticking a few dollar bills under the pillow every couple of weeks — maybe even every couple of days! As silly as it might seem, these little tooth fairy deposits can add up. Affordable Dentures & Implants surveyed 4,000 Americans to find out more about the tooth economy. According to the survey, the average amount adults received per tooth while they were growing up came out to be $2.83.

Just like in every other economic discussion, inflation has played a role. Now adults say they give their kids $4.58, on average, per tooth. For a full set of baby teeth, that would cost $91.60. But what place in the U.S. is the most generous when it comes to tooth payments?

1. Washington, D.C.

Kids in D.C. are getting the most cash for their chompers. The average amount received per tooth is $5.88 in D.C. This was an interesting finding, as Washington, D.C., also had the most responders who said they don’t give any money when their child loses a tooth. Those who do must be giving a pretty penny. 

2. Mississippi

Lucky kids in Mississippi get $5.80 a tooth on average. This is much higher than the average for the South, which typically values teeth at $4.92 each. Coincidentally, this is also the average kids in the Northeast get when they lose a baby tooth. 

3. Louisiana

If you’re a kid in the South, you’re making pretty good dough each time a baby tooth comes out. Louisiana parents and grandparents give $5.74 on average for each tooth. Of course, these payments are for a limited time only. According to the survey, some said they stop paying kids and grandkids tooth fairy money after all their baby teeth fall out, which is usually around the age of 12. However, the survey also showed that most stopped giving out tooth fairy payments between ages 8 and 9. Others were not so generous: 11% said they wouldn’t pay out any more tooth fairy money after the age of 5.

4. North Carolina

On average, kids in North Carolina get $5.68 each time they lose a tooth. Some of these high payments might be influenced by other parents, as the survey showed that 28% of Americans feel pressured to match what they hear other kids get under their pillows. 

5. New York

Tooth fairy payments for kids in New York are pretty high at $5.60 on average. Losing a couple teeth can give kids enough cash to go pretty far on the New York subway system, as the fare for most rides is $2.90. 

If you’re wondering what the lowest paying state is, according to the survey it’s Oregon. Kids there only get about $1.96 per tooth on average. Although maybe reading this will inspire some tooth fairies to sprinkle a few more dollars here and there.

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