A toothpaste multipack is worth buying if the price per tube is lower than buying singles and your household will use the tubes before their dates. Toothpaste is one of the best things to buy in bulk: everyone uses it every day, it doesn't take much space, and unopened tubes keep for a long time when stored somewhere cool and dry.
Here's how to check a multipack is a genuine saving, how big a pack makes sense, and how to store spares.
Is a toothpaste multipack cheaper?
Usually, but check. Divide the multipack price by the number of tubes, then compare with the price of a single tube of the same size. If the per-tube price is lower, it's a saving. If the tubes are different sizes, compare the price per 100ml instead. Our guide to reading unit prices shows how in about ten seconds.
We cover the wider picture in are multipacks cheaper?, including when a big pack is a false saving.
How big a pack do you need?
A rough way to work it out:
- Count the brushers. Everyone in the house who uses toothpaste twice a day.
- Think about how long a tube lasts you. It depends on tube size and how much each person uses. Our guide to how long a tube of toothpaste lasts has the detail.
- Pick a pack you'll finish well before the date printed on the tubes.
A single person rarely needs more than a few spare tubes. A family of four brushing twice a day gets through toothpaste quickly, so a bigger pack makes more sense.
Will the tubes go out of date?
Toothpaste does have a date, usually printed on the crimped end of the tube or on the box. Unopened tubes stored well keep for a long time, so a sensible multipack is unlikely to go to waste. Check the dates when your pack arrives and use the oldest first. More in does toothpaste go out of date?.
How to store spare tubes
- Somewhere cool and dry, like a bathroom cupboard away from the radiator or a hall cupboard.
- Caps on, boxes closed.
- Oldest at the front, so they get used first.
- Out of reach of small children.
Choosing the right toothpaste for each person
Bulk buying works best when everyone in the house is happy with the toothpaste. For children, check the fluoride level suits their age; our guide on how to read fluoride levels on toothpaste explains what the numbers mean. If your child struggles with mint, see toothpaste for kids who hate mint.
Our pick
The Nice Smile 12 Pack Toothpaste Bundle is our biggest toothpaste bundle, for households that want to stock up in one go. Prices are live on Amazon, and orders are dispatched by Amazon.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to buy toothpaste in bulk?
Usually, if the price per tube is lower than buying singles and you use the tubes before their dates. Always check the per-tube or per-100ml price.
How long does unopened toothpaste last?
Unopened tubes keep for a long time if stored somewhere cool and dry. Check the date on the crimped end of each tube.
How many tubes of toothpaste does a family use?
It depends on the size of the tubes, how many people brush and how much each person uses. A family of four brushing twice a day gets through a tube quickly, which is why multipacks suit families.
Where is the expiry date on toothpaste?
Usually on the crimped end of the tube, and sometimes on the box.
