With the delicate state of our climate at present, everyone is doing their bit for the environment. Eco friendly dental supplies are widely available, from bamboo toothbrushes to natural toothpastes – but are environmentally friendly alternatives as good as dental supplies made from traditional materials? We’re here to help you find out…
Bamboo Toothbrushes – now widely available in most supermarkets, bamboo toothbrushes are a staple in most bathrooms. Made with a bamboo handle which can be binned with your compost waste unlike a traditional toothbrush, bamboo brushes are a great eco-friendly alternative – and they’re also great for your teeth too! So long as you use a good brushing technique, there’s no reason why a bamboo toothbrush wouldn’t work just as well as a plastic toothbrush, so there’s no reason not to make the switch!
One unfortunate concern over bamboo toothbrushes is the nylon bristles, which are plastic and non-recyclable. Whilst there are entirely natural toothbrushes available, be cautious when choosing a brush with natural bristles as some materials like boar bristle are more coarse and can cause damage to your enamel. If in doubt, opt for a brush with a bamboo handle and man-made bristles to be sure you’re protecting your smile as well as the planet, as this will still result in less plastic overall – just remember to remove the plastic bristles before composting your brush!
Natural/ DIY Toothpaste – There are many different types of natural toothpastes available with a range of ingredients such as essential oils, but it’s important to remember that not all these ‘healthy’ ingredients are good for your teeth. Active ingredients like charcoal can be very abrasive and have no proven positive effects – in fact, it can cause damage to existing dental work like fillings and crowns.
Not all natural toothpastes are created equal, and it’s important to do your research. When selecting a natural toothpaste, make sure that it has a suitable level of fluoride which is key to maintaining good oral health. Many natural toothpastes leave out this crucial ingredient, despite fluoride being a naturally occurring mineral found in nature. Find out how much fluoride you need in our fluoride blog post.
If you’re struggling to find a natural toothpaste that also protects your smile, try searching for a refillable toothpaste instead – this will still reduce your plastic waste whilst keeping your smile safe!
Silk Floss – Regular flossing is a key part of your oral healthcare routine, essential for maintaining healthy gums, but for eco-conscious users, dental floss made from nylon (a plastic based substance) might leave a sour taste. Eco-friendly dental floss made from silk might be a suitable biodegradable alternative, however it may not be as strong as traditional floss. It may also pose an issue for vegans due to the silk and beeswax used.
Whilst the consumer dental industry clearly has a bit further to go to become more eco friendly, there are certainly things we can all be doing to make our bathrooms more eco-friendly. So long as you choose your products carefully, there’s no reason why environmentally friendly dental products shouldn’t be as effective as traditional dental items.