Billions of oral hygiene products end up in our landfills every year, and they are filled with harmful toxins
Brush twice a day, floss regularly, use mouthwash when necessary—most of us do as our hygienists say, but do we ever think about the environmental implications of the oral hygiene products we use? These dental care products have a significant effect on the planet as most are made with plastic that comes from crude oil. So, how do we balance taking care of our oral health while also being kind to the environment and avoiding putting chemicals in our mouths on the daily?
Here's how to make the switch to a more eco-friendly oral hygiene routine...
1. Use a bamboo toothbrush
Terra & Co.Have you ever wondered where your frayed toothbrush goes after you toss it? Every year over one billion toothbrushes end up in the landfill, creating 50 million pounds of waste annually. For context, that’s enough to stretch around our planet four times—according to Foreo. Plus, they’re made from polypropylene plastic and nylon, which are sourced from non-renewable fossil fuels. Also, this type of plastic degrades in warm seawater in as little as one year, and the toxins released end up in the bellies of animals, like sea turtles.
Ditch the plastic and swap it for a sustainable bamboo toothbrush, like this brush with black charcoal-infused bristles (which naturally fights plaque) and a bamboo handle from Terra & Co. It’s antibacterial, BPA-free and fully biodegradable.
2. Make the switch to biodegradable floss
Harper FlossWhere do you think single-use plastic floss containers and discarded floss end up? In the landfill and in our oceans. Generic brands of floss also contain BPA, lead, cadmium, as well as a toxic chemical called polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs).
Look into a more natural option, such as biodegradable floss, made from silk, like this one from Harper Floss. It’s completely biodegradable, uses no plastic ever (thanks to its glass containers and subscription-based program). It’s made from 100 per cent organic silk which is derived from real silkworms, resulting in a lower carbon-footprint than big-brand floss.
3. Use package-free toothpaste
Crush & BrushYou put toothpaste in your mouth at least once (hopefully twice) every day, but do you ever think about what you’re ingesting or spitting down the drain, which leaks into bodies of water? Most brands of toothpaste include harmful ingredients, including fluoride, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), carrageenan, propylene glycol, triclosan, and unnecessary additives, like artificial colours and sweeteners. Aside from that, do you know where your empty toothpaste tubes end up? You got it—the landfill, alongside one billion others each year in the US, which take hundreds of years to decompose.
Toothpaste tablets are a great eco-friendly alternative to conventional toothpaste. The Crush and Brush tablets from Nelson Naturals are, as they say, the most versatile, earth-friendly toothpaste ever created. Just put the tablet in your mouth, chew it, feel it fizz and foam, and then wet your toothbrush and brush as usual. Instead of being filled with toxins, the tablets are made with 100 percent food-grade ingredients, including charcoal and sodium bicarbonate, and are packaged in a glass jar.