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Record High Tooth Fairy Cash for Baby Teeth
OAK BROOK, Ill. -- The going rate for lost baby teeth has far exceeded increases in the cost of living, jumping to $3.50 last year. That's a 44.6% increase over 2012 and a rate that far surpassed the outstanding performances of the major U.S. stock indexes.
The Original Tooth Fairy Poll has generally been a good barometer of the market's overall direction, says Jennifer Elliott vice president of marketing at Delta Dental Plans Association, which released the poll. In fact, the trend in Tooth Fairy giving has tracked with the movement of the Standard & Poor's 500 Index in 10 of the past 11 years. In 2013, the S&P 500 gained 29.6%, its best annual performance since 1997.
The Tooth Fairy was even more generous for first-time tooth giving, leaving more money for that tooth than subsequent teeth lost in 59% of homes. On average, the amount given for the first tooth was $4.51, up 29.2% from last year.
Other findings from The Original Tooth Fairy Poll:
- The Tooth Fairy visited 86% of U.S. homes where children lost a tooth.
- The Tooth Fairy left cash in 98% of the homes she visited; 2% of the children received toys, gum or other gifts.
- The most common amount the Tooth Fairy left under the pillow was $1; 42% received this amount.
- 28% of kids struck it rich and received $5 or more for each lost tooth.
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
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