North Dakota Kids Feel the Tooth Fairy Pinch as Payouts Drop Nationwide

Here's some advice for kids in North Dakota—the Tooth Fairy is on a budget, so it might be time to save a little!

According to Delta Dental’s latest Original Tooth Fairy Poll, the value of a lost tooth has taken a surprising tumble. In what might be considered a minor dental disaster for piggy banks everywhere, the average cash payout from our beloved winged benefactor dropped 14% in the past year—from $5.84 to $5.01 per tooth. That’s right: not even magical nighttime visitors are immune to economic pressures.

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First Tooth, Fewer Dollars: Tooth Fairy Gets Thrifty in North Dakota

And it’s not just any old baby tooth—even the first tooth, which usually earns a premium, is feeling the fiscal squeeze. While 1 in 3 parents say the Tooth Fairy spends a little extra on that first lost chomper, the average first-tooth payout slipped 12%, from $7.09 to $6.24.

Gabriella Ferroni of Delta Dental assures us there’s a silver lining to this penny-pinching. The Tooth Fairy is in her thrifty era,” she said, “but she’s still a valuable partner in teaching children healthy oral habits—and maybe now, a lesson in budgeting too.

In fact, nearly 1 in 5 parents agree: the Tooth Fairy is doing double duty, helping kids understand the value of money right alongside the importance of brushing and flossing.

North Dakota in the Bargain Bin: South Tops Tooth Fairy Payouts

So where is the Tooth Fairy being the most generous these days? Head south, young tooth-loser. The Southern U.S. leads the nation with an average of $5.71 per tooth—overtaking the West, which fell to $5.69 after a major 33% drop. Meanwhile, the Midwest (that's us) continues to trail the pack, with a rather modest $3.46 per tooth.

Curiously, the Fairy seems to be drifting out of sync with the economy. While the S&P 500 rose 26% over the past year, tooth prices dropped. Maybe she’s investing in fairy dust futures?

Regardless of the market, one thing remains constant: a lost tooth is still worth a visit from a little magic—and maybe a few bucks, give or take.