NATIONWIDE — The Tooth Fairy is a tradition that can really help children get more comfortable with losing their baby teeth. Affordable Dentures & Implants, which has practices in Wilkes-Barre, PA and Binghamton, NY, has asked 4,000 Americans what they give their children and grandchildren as Tooth Fairy gifts.
The research shows that New York parents pay, on average, $5.60 for their children’s teeth. In PA it’s a comparatively cheap $3.45.
The survey showed that what people said they would give for a baby tooth is approximately twice what they were given when they were growing up. When growing up, most Americans got $1 for a tooth (31 percent) followed by 50 cents (27 percent). The average amount they reported getting was $2.83. The years they received that were not disclosed.
The two most common amounts to give to children or grandchildren for a tooth are $1 and $5, given by 26 percent of Americans. That’s followed by the 10 percent who give $2, and those who give nothing or $10. The last two options were used by 7 percent of respondents.
The survey showed that on average, US parents and grandparents stop paying for their children’s or grandchildren’s teeth between the age of eight and nine.
Twenty-eight percent of Americans say they feel pressured to match the rewards their children’s friends get for their lost teeth. Men are more likely to feel under financial pressure to match the same amount of money their children’s friends get—30 percent compared to women at 25 percent. “It’s heartwarming to hear that the Tooth Fairy tradition is still alive and well across America,” said Dr. Jumoke Adedoyin, chief clinical officer at Affordable Dentures & Implants.
“As a dentist, I’ve always been fascinated by the cultural significance of this childhood ritual. It’s an incredible way to celebrate a milestone in a child’s development and foster a sense of wonder. In fact, my very own nieces and nephews think that because I am a dentist, that I have a direct line to the Tooth Fairy—they ask me to put in a good word for them in hopes of receiving an extra dollar under their pillows! Encourage young children to take good care of their teeth throughout the year by brushing twice a day, flossing regularly and visiting their dentist for regular check-ups. By doing this, you will not only help them maintain a healthy smile but may also make the Tooth Fairy a little more inclined to leave a generous surprise as a special reward for their good oral hygiene practices.”
Learn more at www.affordabledentures.com/blog/tooth-fairy.