Yes, Aim is cheap but it’s a good ADA recommended toothpaste! Gets the job done pretty well! It’s still with us since 1973 simply because it does an amazing job taking care of our teeth and breath.
I understand the confusion…how come something can be cheap and good, right? Well, there are some reasons how it can happen… some of them are wide availability of cheap ingredients, low branding cost, high competition, etc.
I will talk more about the Aim toothpaste and will try to make sense of is it any good or not being cheap. Bear with me for a while.
Overview of Aim Toothpaste
Aim toothpaste is manufactured by Church & Dwight, the same company that makes Arm & Hammer baking soda. It was first introduced in 1967 as an affordable toothpaste when other brands were raising prices.
Some key details about Aim:
- Comes in various flavors like spearmint, peppermint, and cinnamon
- Packaged in tubes and pump bottles
- Contains fluoride for cavity protection
- Most varieties do not contain artificial colors or flavors
- Typically costs around $1 per tube
While Aim does not offer the breadth of specialty products and formulas found in more premium brands, it provides the essential ingredients for basic dental care.
The low price point appeals to many consumers looking to save money on their grocery bills.
Aim Toothpaste Active Ingredients
The key active ingredients found in most Aim toothpastes include:
Fluoride – This mineral strengthens tooth enamel and prevents cavities. Aim contains the recommended amount of fluoride to safely and effectively protect teeth.
Triclosan – This antibacterial agent fights plaque, gingivitis, and bad breath causing bacteria. However, some recent concerns over triclosan safety have led several brands to remove it.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate – This common detergent creates the foaming action many associate with clean teeth. However, some brands exclude this ingredient due to possible links to mouth irritation.
Baking Soda – Also known as sodium bicarbonate, this mildly abrasive agent scrubs away stains for whiter teeth. Arm & Hammer is known for baking soda products.
Peroxide – This whitening agent chemically lifts stains from the tooth surface to brighten teeth. Higher peroxide content yields more whitening power.
So while Aim does not contain special ingredients like activated charcoal or essential oils, it delivers the core components needed for basic oral hygiene at an affordable price.
Reasons For Aim Toothpaste Being Cheap
Being not so overpowering, Aim toothpaste is perfect for everybody – from kids to adults. Some people are skeptical about its cheap cost. Their skepticisms are valid considering it does not come in any skinny tube either.
So, let’s see how it can be both cheap and good:
- Regular Toothpastes Are Actually Cheap
Do you know you can actually make your own super effective toothpaste at home spending just as little as $0.05?
The wide availability of active ingredients and their cheap costs are the main reason. Look at the active ingredients of Aim and other brands like Colgate. Both of them have pretty much the same ingredients.
Aim would not get ADA’s approval without being good enough to take care of your teeth. Companies get ADA’s certificate of acceptance only after proving their product’s efficacy and safety.
- Low Branding Cost
In today’s competitive business world, branding cost is huge! Aim spends little to nothing in comparison with other brands like Colgate and Crest regarding branding.
That’s how Aim got the competitive advantage of pricing their toothpaste so low. Colgate and other brands can’t lower their prices like Aim. And it’s NOT solely because of superior quality.
- High Competition
To compete with brands like Colgate and Crest, you must have superior quality. Aim is not better than Colgate in terms of superior quality.
So, to survive in the market, they have to set lower price-cutting their profit margin. I believe that is their marketing strategy. But it gets the job done and that’s what matters!
How Aim Toothpaste Compares To Premium Brands
Aim toothpaste differs from higher priced options like Crest and Colgate in a few key ways:
Formula – Aim offers conventional fluoride formulas without fancy ingredients like enamel strengthening nanocrystals.
Flavor – With fewer flavor choices, Aim lacks novelty flavors like Crest Tartar Protection in Sparkling Citrus.
Purpose – Premium brands have specialized pastes for whitening, tartar protection, cavity prevention, etc. whereas Aim focuses on only the basics.
Packaging – The packaging is straightforward plastic tubes rather than stylized pump dispensers or stand-up tubes.
Technology – Aim utilizes conventional ingredients rather than exclusive technologies validated for superior performance.
Marketing – As a value brand, Aim does not devote large budgets to advertising and scientific research like the premium players.
Essentially, you pay extra with brands like Crest and Colgate for exclusive formulas, stylish packaging, scientific innovation, and brand recognition. AIM minimizes those costs to offer no-frills quality at a budget price.
Pros Of Choosing Aim Toothpaste
Choosing a cheaper toothpaste like Aim offers a few advantages:
Saves money – With similar ingredients and cleaning ability, Aim costs significantly less than name brands. Families trying to cut expenses appreciate the savings.
Good standard formula – Though not scientifically advanced, the Aim formula cleans and protects teeth with proven ingredients.
Fluoride included – Most Aim varieties contain fluoride, the key cavity fighting mineral. No need to pay more just to get fluoride.
No artificial colors/flavors – Many Aim pastes avoid dyes and synthetic flavors, appealing to health-conscious consumers.
Basics covered – For shoppers just needing a solid everyday toothpaste without special add-ons, Aim fits the bill.
Supports domestic manufacturing – Aim production keeps jobs in the USA, which some shoppers value.
For bargain hunters who want fundamental oral care without paying for extras, Aim is a great money-saving choice.
Also Read: Comparison of Smilekit And Hismile Toothpastes.
Cons Of Choosing Aim Toothpaste
On the other hand, Aim toothpaste has a few drawbacks compared to premium brands:
No fancy formulas – Aim does not offer specialty pastes for whitening, breath freshening, gum health, etc.
Less variety – With fewer flavors and types, Aim may seem boring next to all the options from Crest and Colgate.
Minimal packaging – Some may perceive the plain tubes as cheap compared to stylized brand name options.
Limited marketing – Without big ad campaigns and scientific backing, Aim seems less exciting than leading brands.
No exclusive ingredients – Aim utilizes common ingredients rather than patented compounds with unique benefits.
Not widely available – As a lesser known brand, AIM can be harder to find on store shelves than national players.
For shoppers wanting novel flavors, scientific innovations, and premium brand quality, Aim will not satisfy like leading toothpaste brands.
Is Aim Toothpaste Good?
Yes, it’s a good toothpaste to take care of your teeth, and most people like its taste! Many people have been using this toothpaste for at least 20+ years and their teeth are well-protected.
In fact, many of them prefer this brand over other expensive brands not just for the cheap cost, but because of the taste!
And nobody gets cavities because of the toothpaste! Any generic toothpaste is good enough for your teeth. Besides, Aim is not generic toothpaste, it’s from Church and Dwight (Arm & Hammer)
So, you can call it a budget toothpaste NOT cheap. And according to Consumer Reports, several budget brands ranked as the best whitening toothpaste.
Regular brushing your teeth are more important than what kind of toothpaste you use. Make sure to visit your dentist twice a year. That’s what is more important!
Now, let me explain why I like it as well…
To me, some high-end expensive toothpaste seems like abrasive toothpaste. Aim is not overly abrasive toothpaste and it has the same level of fluoride as other expensive brands.
That are the two qualities I want in my toothpaste. There is enough fluoride in Aim to offer protection against cavities. Many dentists recommend just any toothpaste that has fluoride for their patients.
That’s why I like Aim. I don’t care for its cheap cost and it’s completely okay to try to save some money!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, it’s a good toothpaste brand. It may spend millions on branding but their toothpaste are good and effective to keep teeth brighter and healthy.
Originally, it was introduced by Unilever back in 1973 but Church and Dwight have bought it from them in 2003.
No, but both of them are good toothpaste. However, Colgate ranks higher between the two considering their lots of variation in toothpaste and effectiveness against several tooth conditions.
It has the same main ingredients as any other high-end toothpaste. As active ingredients, it as Sodium Fluoride (0.24%) and inactive ingredients like Hydrated Silica, PEG-8, Sorbitol, Water, SD Alcohol 38-B, Flavor, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Cellulose Gum, Sodium Saccharin, etc.
It tastes more like spearmint. The flavor is refreshing and people love it.
Aim has very few side effects due to its simple, time-tested formula. In rare cases, some users may experience increased tooth sensitivity or gum irritation. As with any product, discontinue use if any discomfort or reactions occur. Consult a dentist for any oral health concerns.
Closing Remarks
To be effective to keep your teeth healthy, it always depends on the ingredients of the toothpaste. When it comes to toothpaste, brand and price don’t play so much role.
Besides, it has all the regulatory approvals and certifications just like all those expensive brands. The main ingredients are the same.
So, don’t be concerned about Aim’s cheap price. It’s a good toothpaste and you can put your confidence in it just the millions have already done!
Since good oral hygiene would lessen the likelihood of cavities, your sentence, “And nobody gets cavities because of the toothpaste!” would be better written as, “And nobody avoids cavities because of the toothpaste!”
I need Aim toothpaste as it does it hurt my mouth. Used it years ago and need it again.
It does not hurt my mouth as the stronger pastes do.
Hi Clyde
I can’t find aim toothpaste at any store in the Bay Area California
What’s up
I did find it at grainger for a box of 24 for 88$ that’s like $3.50 each
I consider $3.50 a bargain now. The cheapest I’ve seen it lately is $7.50 each. It disappeared from shelves for a while before the price skyrocketed. I used to pay $1.00 per tube at Target. From $1 to $7.50 practically overnight is too big a price increase that can’t be explained by “supply chain” and inflation issues. So I think many retailers are just raising prices because they can.