While toothpaste tablets might initially cost more when compared to traditional toothpaste in a tube, whether they are more expensive will ultimately depend on individual preferences, usage habits, and personal priorities such as sustainability or convenience.
For example, some people may find the environmental benefits of toothpaste tablets, such as reduced plastic waste, outweigh the potentially higher upfront cost. Each toothpaste tablet also offers an ideal pre-measured dose of product, eliminating wasted product which you might find from using a squeezy toothpaste tube, saving you money in the long run.
Keep reading to discover some of the main considerations around the cost of toothpaste tablets and why, for many people, tablets are the better choice despite typically costing more upfront.
Factors to consider when it comes to the cost of toothpaste tablets vs toothpaste tubes:
- Initial upfront costs
- Usage habits
- Environmental impacts
- Purchasing in bulk
- Cost per serving/use
1. Initial Upfront Costs
As with any product, the upfront price of toothpaste tablets and tubes can vary widely depending on several different factors such as brand, ingredients, the quantity of products purchased at one time, and where you purchase them.
For example, the upfront cost of an expensive brand of toothpaste tube might work out cheaper than a non-branded pack of toothpaste tablets. However, for some brands, the natural ingredients in toothpaste tablets are more expensive than those in tubes, which can make the former cost more.
How Much Are Toothpaste Tablets Compared to Toothpaste?
Generally speaking, the upfront cost of toothpaste tablets in the UK can typically range from £0.15 to £0.50 per tablet. Whereas traditional toothpaste prices generally range from £0.50 to £2.00 per 100ml tube.
The cost of toothpaste will vary based on brand, type of toothpaste (e.g., fluoride, natural, whitening), and retailers.
2. Usage Habits
People’s toothpaste usage habits vary.
What do we mean by this? Well, some people might find that they use less product with toothpaste tablets as they come in pre-measured doses, ensuring each tablet contains the perfect amount of toothpaste for each brushing session.
With toothpaste tubes, you can sometimes squeeze too much toothpaste out of the packaging, leading to wasted product and higher upfront cost per use. Using too much toothpaste is also not good for your dental health, so ensuring you’re only using what’s needed to clean your teeth effectively is crucial.
Additionally, most toothpaste tablets are designed to be chewed first before brushing, which reduces the amount of water needed for brushing compared to traditional toothpaste. This can be especially beneficial if you’re on a tight budget or travelling in areas with limited water availability.
When it comes to convenience and portability, toothpaste tablets trump tubes every time. This is because tablets are compact and lightweight, making them incredibly convenient for travel or on-the-go freshness. Unlike traditional toothpaste tubes, which can be bulky and prone to leakage, toothpaste tablets are easy to carry and use without the risk of spills.
Toothpaste tablets are also luggage-friendly, so you can fly with them without using up valuable space in your liquids bag.
3. Environmental Impacts
Typically speaking, conventional toothpaste tubes are not at all environmentally friendly or sustainable. This is for several reasons…
Namely, creating toothpaste tubes requires significant energy consumption that contributes to our growing carbon footprint, whether it be from the extraction of raw materials to the manufacturing and transportation of the final product
The ingredients in toothpaste tablets are also damaging to the environment. Many toothpastes contain harmful ingredients, such as triclosan, microplastics and artificial colours, which when washed down the drain, can contribute to water pollution.
When marine life digest microplastics, these can end up in our bodies via the seafood we eat.That’s not all, toothpaste tubes are crafted from non-recyclable materials such as plastic and aluminium, which all end up in landfills and contribute to pollution. On average, it takes 500 years for a toothpaste tube to biodegrade in a landfill, meaning that every tube you have used in your lifetime is probably still out there.
Which Toothpaste Is Best for the Environment?
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly alternative, toothpaste tablets are much better for the environment as they eliminate the use of plastics and harmful ingredients, and are typically contained in recyclable packaging. Learn more about the environmental impacts of toothpaste here.
Shop our wide range of dentist-approved zero-waste toothpaste tablets, made from natural and vegan-friendly ingredients.
4. Buying in Bulk
Some brands and retailers, like Brush Fresh, sell toothpaste tablets in bulk or wholesale quantities. This means that customers can purchase a large amount of the product at one time, which reduces the cost per tablet, making them more economical and cost-effective.
Whether it be for a large family or a hospitality business stocking products for their guests, buying toothpaste tablets in bulk is a fantastic way to keep costs down and avoid the hassle of multiple purchases.
Shop our family size toothpaste tablets and wholesale fluoride tablets here.
Buying toothpaste tablets in bulk is fantastic for reducing the cost per tablet, reducing packaging and allows you to keep your bathroom cupboards or stockroom fuller for longer!5. Cost Per Serving/Use
As we mentioned in point 1, when comparing the two types of toothpaste, tablets typically might seem more expensive per serving. However, when considering the cost per use, the price difference might not be that significant after all.
Toothpaste tablets provide a pre-measured dose, helping to prevent overuse and potential waste, while traditional toothpaste can be dispensed in varying amounts.
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Brush Fresh Co. is founded and run by a group of UK-based dentists, who specialise in environmentally-friendly and sustainable dental products. From biodegradable bamboo toothbrushes to zero-waste toothbrush tablets, our product range has been designed to put both your dental health and the environment first.
For more information and dental care advice, head over to our dental health & oral care blog page or get in contact with us here.