Recent data shows the cost of clean teeth has increased as a part of the ongoing cost of living crisis.
Price monitoring company Skuuudle tracked 2,000 dental products from September 2022 and found children’s and adult’s toothbrushes have increased by 6% and 8%.
In the ONS’ most recent report inflation sat at 10.2%, so dental products are actually increasing at a slower rate than most household items.
A Skuuudle spokesman said: “Clearly dental products should not be viewed as luxury items and any suggestion that they are being priced beyond the reach of families is very concerning.
“But we believe retailers are doing what they can to keep these products as affordable as possible given their own costs will also be increasing.”
Skuuudle’s data shows that despite dental product prices increasing at a rate slower than inflation, they are continuing to trend upwards.
Camilla Kingdon, President of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, spoke with the British Medical Journal regarding children’s ill health.
She said: “There are lots of examples. One that we often forget about is oral health and the state of children’s teeth, which is actually a national disgrace.
“It reflects diet, and it reflects a family’s ability to buy a toothbrush and toothpaste, because when you’re struggling to feed your family, [that] becomes a luxury item.”
Skuuudle produce analytics for retailers to compare product pricing and provide a better deal for the consumer.
A spokesman for the firm described retailers’ job as ‘unenviable’ when balancing the needs of the consumer, supply and their rising costs.
Ofgem’s energy price cap increased to £4279 for Q1 2023 from £3,549, one of many strains on household budgets.
The cost of living crisis continues to hit home for the nation’s families.
Economic forecasts for 2023 from Experian and Forbes look bleak, increasing prices of products like toothbrushes are another concern for households that already struggle to make ends meet.
