Taking care of your teeth is an important part of your daily health routine. But have you ever realized how many common dental products harm the environment? Even your dentist’s office relies on single-use plastics — but does it have to be that way?
Here are five products that create a healthy, sustainable oral health routine:
1. Biodegradable Floss
Choose biodegradable floss to reduce your environmental footprint. Biodegradable floss comes in floss strings and stick versions — so use whichever suits your flossing habits. Both options are more sanitary than reusing conventional floss, which can contain bacteria.
2. Compostable Toothbrushes
Compostable bamboo toothbrushes are more eco-friendly than their standard plastic counterparts — and they’re just as effective. You should replace your toothbrush every three to four months but a bamboo toothbrush will last just as long as the standard plastic version. The only difference is the amount of waste you create when you throw away your toothbrush – bamboo brushes can help you reduce waste. Plus,bamboo brushes will look super stylish on your bathroom counter. If you’re looking at trying a new one, check out Ecoy!
3. Plastic-Free Toothpaste Tablets
To help the environment, order plastic-free toothpaste tablets (which are readily available online) or make your own toothpaste at home. Consult your dentist before you try any DIY recipes to ensure that the ingredients you’ll use are safe for your teeth.
4. Homemade Mouth Rinses
Many store-bought mouthwashes can cause a burning sensation when you use them because they’re alcoholic. They’re also not extremely environmentally-friendly. If you want a more sustainable mouthwash, make your own at home using items from your pantry. You’ll typically need baking soda, sea salt, distilled water, and coconut oil, but it sure beats throwing out mouthwash bottles!
5. Electric Toothbrushes
Another eco-friendly oral hygiene solution is to use rechargeable electric toothbrushes instead of manual plastic ones. When you buy an electric toothbrush, you’ve made a lifetime purchase instead of a discardable one. Now you just need to buy brush heads rather than a brand-new toothbrush four times a year – and you’ll hurt our environment far less.
By making these seven changes, you’ll help to reduce your environmental footprint. Approximately 1 billion toothbrushes are thrown away each year in the U.S., and many end up in the oceans. Ensure yours isn’t one of them and make your oral health hygiene eco-friendlier to lead the way to environmental change.
Featured Photo by Phuong Tran on Unsplash.
