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Dental Health Month: Frugal dental care

Paying retail for toothbrushes, toothpaste and mouthwash is expensive. Not to mention, the cost of dental care is through the roof, especially if you need restorative procedures such as a filling, crown, bridge or implant.

However, failing to take care of your oral health can be extremely costly in terms of money and your life. Poor dental health is linked to heart disease and shorter lifespan.

Here are some ways to help keep the cost of dental care within your budget.

  • Take advantage of drugstore deals on toothbrushes and toothpaste. You can often get these free after Extracare Bucks at CVS or Register Rewards at Walgreens. You just need to be flexible about which brands you use.
  • Make your own natural toothpaste and mouthwash with baking soda and peroxide. Do an internet search for recipes. This saves money on the cost of natural or organic toothpastes and mouthwashes.
  • When you need a dental cleaning and exam or restorative services such as a filling, crown or any other dental work, contact Columbus Public Health's low cost dental clinic. They offer a sliding scale fee for services.
  • OSU's dental school also offers a dental clinic. The dental students are supervised by dental professors and the care is extraordinary. However, you may need to book an appointment months in advance. Expect your visit to take longer than that of a typical dentist's office.
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, Columbus Frugal Living Examiner

Jessica Lietz holds a Master of Public Health Degree from the Ohio State University and has published health related articles in New Beginnings and online at sites such as ehow.com. Jessica is a married mom of kids and two cats, and can be reached at jessicaannelietz@gmail.com.

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