Eco-friendly dental care

We’re all looking for ways to reduce our ecological footprint. While we definitely don’t want to reduce our oral care, we can reduce its effect on our environment.

This month we’re going to focus on the steps we can take to do better for our environment while keeping our smile white

Eco-friendly dental care products

Between packaging that gets thrown out as soon as you get home, and products that naturally wear out, the dental industry can create a lot of waste. And, much of it is plastics that don’t biodegrade.

One of the first steps you can take to have a more ecological dental routine is to be aware of the packaging and products you are using. This can include:

Choosing a bamboo toothbrush. The only thing different about a bamboo toothbrush is that the handle is made from one of the fastest-growing plants on earth. That means that it not only biodegrades, but it’s also plentiful and a renewable resource.

Using plastic-free packaging. From the bottle our mouthwash comes in, to our floss keeper, plastic is everywhere. When possible, opt for glass bottles and reusable dispensers to lower your waste.

Choosing eco-friendly dental floss. Floss is so small we barely think of it when we throw it in the trash. Unfortunately, that size means it ends up getting everywhere – including waterways. Because it’s made of nylon, all that floss doesn’t biodegrade for hundreds of years. Opt instead for natural, biodegradable floss.

Using toothpaste tablets. We’re so used to conventional toothpaste, it’s hard to think of it in any other way. But, green toothpaste manufacturers make toothpaste in tablet form, allowing you to skip the plastics in the tube and keep your toothpaste in a reusable, glass jar.

Better ecological dental practices

Many of us learned a bad habit right beside our good oral habit. Often while we brush our teeth we leave the tap on, wasting water. Simply by turning the tap off while we clean our teeth can help save water and all the energy that pumps it to your house.