The $100 Smile
Dr. Jerry Gordon of Bensalem’s Dental Comfort Zone (2734 Street Road, Bensalem, 215-639-0571, dental-comfortzone.com) shares four budget-friendly tips that’ll keep the teeth you’ve got looking good.
Score dental discounts
A general cleaning at Penn’s School of Dental Medicine Clinics (240 South 40th Street, 215-898-8965, dental.upenn.edu) starts at $70, about $20 to $30 less than the average private practice’s price. Just plan ahead—spots tend to fill up fast.
Use a wallet-friendly whitener
Crest’s 3D White Advanced Vivid Whitestrips ($45 at Walgreens, multiple locations; walgreens.com) won’t break the bank—and won’t budge, either. High-performance polymers give them stronger sticking power, which means less mess and more white.
Fight plaque for pennies
Reach Mint-Waxed Dental Floss ($3 at CVS, multiple locations; cvs.com) slides easily between teeth, quickly removing the bacteria-filled plaque that causes gum disease.
Brush better
If you can’t splurge on a Sonicare, a soft-bristled Oral-B Advantage toothbrush ($3 at Walmart, multiple locations; walmart.com) will do the job. Gordon recommends brushing for three minutes, three times a day.
Originally published in the July issue of Philadelphia magazine.
