toothbrushAfter chipping a tooth recently, I have been overly occupied with my teeth.  Mostly, I’ve been obsessed with taking extra good care of them, given they are the only set I’ll ever have.  As a side effect of this new-found concern, I have discovered a lot of secrets for providing them great care, without spending a lot doing it.

Below are some of the details of my budget oral hygiene regimen.  As usual, my only real secret is that I have sought out the greatest value in every aspect of their care. 

Products

1.)    Toothbrush:  The toothbrush is probably one of the most basic dental hygiene devices.  New versions hit the market regularly; however, although effective, most are just marketing scams.  All you really need is a basic toothbrush with soft bristles. 

My personal rule is to never spend over $1 per toothbrush, which is a lot easier than one might think.  I have found that dollar stores tend to have the best bargains on these.  In fact, today I just bought a 2-pack of Colgate Plus brushes for just $1 which actually 50% less than what my toothbrush budget allows. 

One can easily save an extra $5-$10 annually of toothbrushes by going the dollar store route, so visit yours sometime to see what they have.  Remember, dollar stores vary greatly in the quality and variety of the products they sale, so don’t give up on the first one you visit if you don’t find a decent toothbrush for a bargain price.

2.)    Toothpaste:  As long as you find toothpaste that is approved by the American or Canadian Dental Association, I wouldn’t worry about the brand.  I know many of them make bold proclamations about why you should shell out $4-$5 per tube, but again this is marketing. 

My toothpaste rule is the same as my toothpaste rule, $1 per tube.  Again, visit your dollar or big-box store.   The brands I use are AIM, Ultrabrite, and Pepsodent.  All can be found easily for $1 or less and have generally received good reviews. 

I must caution against purchasing cheap toothpaste of a mystery brand.  Many are not approved by the ADA, have already expired, and/or are of foreign origin.  However, all three of the brands I listed are dirt cheap and widely available, so there is no need to worry if you stick to any of them. 

3.)    Dental Floss:  Again the dollar store is usually the best option.  I, however, buy my floss from Wal-Mart, since my tight teeth are better suited for the ribbon-style variety.  However, you should be able to find a regular roll for less than $1 at your local dollar store.  If you go to a big-box store stick with the store/generic brands.

4.)    Mouth Wash:  I get my mouth wash from Wal-Mart because it is the cheapest.  Stick with the generic brands because you are getting the same active ingredients for less.  I personally use the Equate knock off of Listerine. 

Dental work

Without dental insurance, finding affordable dental care can be tricky.  However, I have a couple of suggestions that you might find useful

If you’re a student at a good-sized university you’re in luck!  Most larger schools have on campus health care facilities catering to students.  These usually provide health care at a bargain rate.  I personally take advantage of the one at the University of Montana where I am a graduate student.  Prices for me are cheap, ranging from a $30 cleaning to a $435 crown.   Therefore, if you are a student, you should investigate what your school has to offer. 

Unfortunately, I bet a majority of you aren’t college students.  If that’s the case, look to see if you have a dental school in your area.  Most offer cheap dental work by students in training.  The thought of having a dental student work on your teeth might cause you anxiety, but don’t let it.  Most of these kids are well supervised and determined to do a good job.

Preventative care

Most of the time, the cheapest option of all is to prevent problems in the first case.  This is especially true when it comes to your teeth.  I’ll sum up how to do it simply – brush at least twice daily, floss regularly (rinsing with mouth wash), and don’t eat sugary crap!

It’s really that simple folks.  Common sense and a healthy diet will go a long way in keeping those dental bills down.

Final thoughts

As you can see, it’s easy to save money on dental care.  Just remember to watch your diet and stick with the low cost products.  The savings might not sound substantial, but trust me, they really add up.  Have a great week!