Social media and dentists have reacted with disgust and concern after a shopper spotted toothpaste going on sale for £10 in a supermarket. The 75ml tube of Colgate Max White Ultra Foam Whitening Toothpaste was on shelf in a Tesco store in Sheldon, Birmingham, and triggered a strong reaction on social media.
Many shocked shoppers shared their frustration, with MaddisonFox_ joking on Twitter that it would be "cheaper long term to have all my teeth ripped out and fitted with fake Turkey teeth". Meanwhile, Lorrainemking added: "For £10, this better whiten everyone's teeth on my street."
Another user, _WhitWoo_ fumed: "I thought this was fake it actually £10 on the Tesco website too WHEN IS THE RIOT?!" With the cost of living soaring and wages stagnating, the standard of living in the UK has dipped at its sharpest rate since post-World War Two rationing.
Speaking to ITV News when asked if they are worried people may stop buying toothpaste, a spokesperson from the British Dental Association (BDA) said they were "very concerned". They continued: "We know from our survey work with hygiene poverty charity Beauty Banks that four in five teachers are now providing pupils with toothpaste and toothbrushes as the cost of living crisis bites."
While the £10 tube of toothpaste sounds extortionate, it's not the most expensive toothpaste being sold at Tesco. Colgate's Max White Anti-Stain Whitening Toothpaste 75ml comes in at a whopping £14.
The cost of living has had a profound impact on dental health, with poor nutrition due to food prices leading to tooth damage. The Guardian reports nurses have seen children squirrelling away school meals to take home to their parents, while a growing number were being taken to A&E after fainting due to hunger.
The BDA and other medical professionals have called on the Government to introduce free school meals to every pupil in a bid to reduce nutritional and oral health problems. However, Labour Party leader Keir Starmer, head of opposition, has ruled out extending the meal programme to all children if the party was elected, an identical position to that of prime minister Rishi Sunak and the Conservative Party.
