The rising cost of living is getting harder on many households across the country. More people are now facing the reality of having to make a choice between the things they need – necessities like gas, electric, nutrition and personal health. This has also had an impact on oral health.

The sad truth is that many people simply do not have the money to spend on their oral health as they did before. However, having a healthy mouth doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. In fact, good oral health is really affordable, no matter how hard your finances are being hit.

National Smile Month is the perfect time to be taking control of your oral health. Here are five top tips for saving money while not comprising the health of your smile.   

The NHS 

The NHS is one of the most beloved institutions in the UK and is free at the point of need for people and their medical needs. You cannot have cosmetic work done but anything that will improve your quality of life, and an essential need, will be taken care of.

You may have to pay for treatments, but it is still much cheaper than going to a private dentist. Check-ups can be around £50 cheaper at an NHS dentist while having a crown fitting could save you as much as £500.   

You may be entitled to free NHS dental care. If you are under 18, pregnant, or on income benefits, you qualify for free NHS dental services. Take a look at the full list on the NHS website.

You can find more about NHS dentistry, and the nearest NHS dentist to you, at https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/dentists/what-dental-services-are-available-on-the-nhs/.

Going to the dental team regularly 

Many people put off going to the dental team for a variety of reasons. While some have anxieties and phobias about the dentist, it is actually the fear of cost that keeps most people away.

The cost of going to the dentist is often not as high as you may think, especially when receiving NHS care. The one great benefit of going to the dentist regularly is that in the long run, it will often reduce the cost of your oral health. This is because when you stop problems early on, they do not turn into operations and procedures that will leave you out of pocket. It costs far less money to get your teeth cleaned removing tartar and plaque than it is for a set of dentures after tooth loss from periodontitis (gum disease).

Price comparison in the NHS, for a band 1 service which includes tooth cleaning, dental exam and x-rays are £22.70 depending on where you are. For a set of dentures on the NHS which is a band 3 treatment is £282.80. That is a stark contrast and private care is certainly even more expensive. You will also not have your own teeth of course, so it is certainly better to keep on top of your appointments.  

Buying in bulk and finding those deals

There are lots of savings that can be made by buying in bulk.

Products such as toothpaste can last for up to 2 years, provided they are unopened. You will probably have a rough idea of how much toothpaste you will buy a month, and by buying it in bulk, you will often save much more money than buying a single tube every time you do the weekly shop. This is especially true if there is more than one person living in your house.

Bulk buys and other deals can often be found online and through supermarket loyalty schemes. It is also a good idea to take advantage of money off deals, voucher and coupons, and buy-one-get-one frees. Buying ahead can really pay off in the long run.   

Before making purchases, it is always a good idea to make sure the product is right for you. Speak to your dental team, who can point you in the right direction. They might be able to suggest cheaper alternatives and even advise you against more expensive products that are not necessary. 

Going green 

We all know that saving the Earth is very important, but did you know that doing your bit for the planet can also save the pennies in your pocket?

Turning off the tap water when brushing your teeth can save an incredible amount of water from being wasted. Over the course of an entire life, if the tap was left on while brushing, a typical family of four people will waste more water than what it takes to fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool.  

For money in your pocket, that’s a saving of around £8,000!

Think of all that you could spend that money on, worth considering changing some habits. You should also use cold water to clean your teeth. Cleaning your teeth with warm water will not make them cleaner and will cost more over time heating up the water. 

Maintaining a good oral health routine

Maintaining a good daily oral health routine keeps your mouth healthy and often lowers the need for expensive treatment like fillings or tooth extractions.

An ideal oral health routine includes:

• Brushing last thing at night and at one other time during the day with a fluoride toothpaste.

• Cleaning in between your teeth with interdental brushes or floss every day.

• Using a fluoride mouthwash daily.

These 3 actions take no more than 7 minutes a day. They will keep your mouth clean and healthy while keeping disease (and potentially expensive treatment) at bay.

Cutting down on sugary foods and drinks and visiting the dentist regularly round off the perfect oral health routine.  

All of these small changes can make a big difference to your bank account and most importantly your overall health and wellbeing.

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Related links

• Top tips for great oral health