(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The Tooth Fairy is a little light, especially in the Midwest.
There was a time when the mythical childhood figure left a quarter or maybe a dollar under your pillow.
Times have changed. Delta Dental of Illinois says the average tooth fairy payout nationwide is $3.70.
Kids in the Midwest, however, are being short-changed, compared to their counterparts elsewhere.
The Tooth Fairy poll finds the average Midwestern kid gets $2.97 per loss. That's down from $3.44 a year ago and from $4.04 in 2017.
West Coast kids cash in big time. The survey says the Tooth Fairy leaves them $4.19 per tooth. With 20 baby teeth, that works out to nearly $84.
Delta Dental says outside of the monetary reward, losing a tooth is a good time to reinforce good habits like brushing, flossing and visiting the dentist.





