Low-Waste Dental Care
I made it my mission to reduce plastic in my dental routine after I came across a quote on Instagram that said “Why would you want to start and end your day with plastic in your mouth?”
Each part of a typical dental routine is highly disposable. Every few months, you replace your toothbrush. Conventional mouthwash and toothpaste have no refill options and are sold in packaging that is incredibly difficult to recycle. This means that basic dental hygiene creates a ton of trash, which makes it a great candidate for waste-free adjustments.
The first and easiest switch I made was purchasing a bamboo toothbrush. Bamboo is a renewable resource and it can be composted. Plastic is made from fossil fuels, so buying anything made from plastic directly contributes to climate change. I currently use a Brush with Bamboo toothbrush, but you may find other options at your local health food store. I even stumbled across a bamboo toothbrush in a CVS!
After you swap a plastic toothbrush for a bamboo one, mouthwash can be next on your dental-overhaul list. I love these Georganics Mouthwash Tablets. They are SO easy to use and have a gentle, minty flavor. You drop one tablet into a small glass of water, wait a minute, and then you have mouthwash! Now, instead of a clunky, plastic Listerine bottle in my bathroom, I store this compact glass jar under my sink and always have the option to order tablet refills. This mouthwash has been my favorite swap in my routine.
My preferred toothpaste, so far, is Davids toothpaste. The tube is made of metal and comes with a metal key that ensures you use all the toothpaste so the tube is ready for recycling. After you use the last of your toothpaste, you throw out the plastic top and recycle the metal tube. That’s a huge reduction in waste! Next, I want to try toothpaste tablets from companies that offer refills, such as these Georganic ones. I might even try making my own toothpaste: the ultimate low-waste and low-cost option.
Lastly, I still use plastic dental floss from the drug store. My next swap will be purchasing either this Georganics natural floss, this Dental Lace, or a similar option in a store near me. These flosses have options for refill and no plastic packaging.
Pay attention to the packaging of your toothbrushes, toothpastes, flosses, and mouthwash options. Does it come wrapped in plastic that will be thrown in the trash or in a recyclable/compostable cardboard box? Is it package free? These little details matter.
What switches are you thinking about making in your dental routine? Do you use any eco-friendly products that you really like? Let me know in the comments!
I do not make any money from the links in this post. The links are there to make the low-waste transition easier for you.