Cost of living: Expert shares top tips to save money on dental hygiene - including sharing your toothbrush

A dental hygienist has shared her top tips on saving money on dental care - including sharing your toothbrush. Jessica O’Connor also recommended using supermarket toothpaste because it’s “exactly the same” as more expensive brands.

The 31-year-old, who appeared on Married at First Sight UK last year, said you only need to spend £50 per year on dental hygiene. Families can save cash by sharing an electric toothbrush as a household, with each member having their own removable head.

Jess recommended buying supermarket own brand toothbrush heads and there is no need to splash out on heads that match the brush body. She also claims toothpastes with fluoride in are "exactly the same" - so opt for the cheap ones.

Always opt for an electric toothbrush over a manual one, said Jess, who also tells her patients to ditch mouthwash altogether. Jess, from Cambridgeshire, said: "All my patients are advised to get an electric toothbrush.

"The difference between manual and electric is the difference between a broom and a hoover. Electric is so much more effective.

“Of course, I understand everyone is struggling for money, so a great way to cut down on costs is just to get one toothbrush - there’s always one on offer - and then buy multiple heads. When you buy a pack of four heads they all come with a different coloured band at the bottom, and you can also buy different toothbrush head protectors so you can all share the toothbrush body."

Reinforcing the message to use separate  toothbrush heads, Jess said. "Everyone has to have their own heads," she said.

"It’s just not hygienic to share, and no one will want to share the same ones anyway. But you don’t need really expensive branded heads to match the toothbrush - I would just buy cheap own-brand heads from the supermarket.

"Just wipe down the toothbrush after use to clean off any toothpaste." There is also no need to shell out on expensive products according to Jess, who recommended cheap own-brand versions for toothpaste and floss.

She said the most important ingredient to look for is fluoride. She said: "In regards to using a toothpaste, they are all exactly the same as long as it has fluoride in it - you don’t need to spend £8 on it.