Good dental care is obviously vital, yet the costs can really add up. Even basic toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss and mouthwash routinely ring up $10 or more per item at drug and grocery stores. Nevertheless, looking after tender gums, fresh breath and pearly whites on a budget isn’t impossible with savvy shopping strategies.
Buy Generic Brands
Popular name brands spend big advertising dollars convincing shoppers only their products ensure optimum oral care. However, quality generics using the same key cleaning and protective ingredients cost significantly less. Store brands of toothpastes contain identical fluoride levels that strengthen enamel and prevent cavities just like popular brands. Ignore label loyalty and flavors to reap major savings.
Use Dollar Stores
Venture into dollar stores to uncover especially affordable oral hygiene supplies. Cheaper retailers offer brand name toothpaste, mouthwashes, toothbrushes, dental floss and more for only $1-3 per item. Stock up on multiple items for further bulk savings. While advanced specialty products for issues like gingivitis may be harder to find discounted, dollar stores keep the basics like fluoride toothpaste, soft bristle brushes and minty string floss well stocked.
Buy in Bulk
For household staples used daily, buying in bulk almost always saves substantially. Big box stores offer multipacks of toothbrushes, large tubes of toothpaste, floss picks in jars of hundreds, and big bottles of mouthwash. Breaking costs down per ounce or unit, bulk sizes cost about half as much as individual items. Upfront outlay is higher, yet products last for months, avoiding repeat purchases. Split bulk bundles across family members or divide amounts into smaller travel-size containers.
Get Free Extras from Dentists
Dental professionals want patients using products that optimize oral health between visits. Ask politely at routine teeth cleanings and checkups for free toothbrush, toothpaste, floss and mouthwash samples doctors keep stocked. Dentists also receive tons of branded samples from dental care companies hoping brand exposure motivates purchases. Take advantage of these free offerings dentists happily share so you don’t have to buy as much out-of-pocket between appointments.
Buy Concentrates
Some companies, like Ecofam, now sell concentrates to dilute at home into more economical finished products. For example, mouthwash concentrates containing essential germ killing ingredients dilute with water into full-strength mouthwash. This avoids paying for mostly water as with big brand pre-mixed formulas.
Use Properly to Avoid Waste
Wasting expensive oral hygiene tools and solutions because of misuse drains budgets unnecessarily. Toothbrushes shed bristles and degrade with too much pressure scrubbing. Let gentle, circular motions using just fingertips lightly clean teeth instead. Rinsing toothbrushes after using and storing upright in open air prevents moisture damage. String floss requires just 18 inches stretched taut between hands for full effectiveness. Only fill water cups half full when rinsing to conserve mouthwash. With proper use, products last their intended lifespans without requiring continual replacement.
Explore Insurance Coverages
Check with health insurance or dental plan providers on allowances for recommended preventative oral care supplies. Most now encourage subscribers to use products that keep teeth and gums healthy since prevention costs less long-term than complex treatments later. Many plans now offer annual no-cost allowances for items like electric toothbrushes, specialty toothpastes for conditions like sensitivity or gum disease, prescription strength antimicrobial mouth rinses, flosses designed to reach braces and more. Explore plan details to take full advantage of these special savings.
Conclusion
Maintaining fantastic oral hygiene enables confident smiling without spending a fortune. Savvy shopping for generics, buying in bulk, using insurance coverage, soliciting free dentist samples and properly using products all create significant savings. Put these mouthwash to money-saving ideas into regular practice so your smile stays bright both financially and literally.
