In order to live more sustainable, you might have ditched the car for public transport and committed to shopping sustainably, but there are other, often more effective ways you can lessen your carbon footprint.
One part of daily life many of us overlook is our dental care routine. With just a few changes, you can achieve an eco-friendly dental routine and make a positive impact.
Need some pointers on how to brush, floss, and rinse more sustainably? We’ve got you covered.
1. Don’t Leave the Faucet Running
To give yourself the best chance at keeping tooth decay and cavities at bay, you should be brushing your teeth for around two minutes each time. If you want to do a particularly thorough job, you might want to double your brushing time. However, don’t leave the faucet running while you brush. If the water’s running for an entire two minutes, you’ll be wasting a staggering 12 liters of water. That’s not only bad for the environment, but for your wallet too.
If turning the faucet on and off every time you need water is too much hassle, simply fill a beaker and leave it standing on your sink as you brush. While you’re at it, check to see if your faucets are dripping once you’ve turned them off. If you spot any persistent drips, you may need to change the worn-out washers. This is already going to make your dental routine a lot more eco-friendly.
2. Swap Out Your Manual Toothbrush for an Electric One
Dentists recommend replacing your toothbrush every three to four months. Many plastic toothbrushes are made from harmful chemicals that render them unsuitable for recycling. Even if the plastic handles themselves can be recycled, the nylon bristles usually can’t. While some manual brushes can be recycled, few of us think twice about throwing a used one in the trash.
Replace your manual toothbrush with an electric one. As well as being more effective at getting rid of stubborn plaque and unsightly stains, you don’t have to replace the entire thing once the bristles start to wear down. Instead, you can simply replace the head and continue using your electric brush for years. What’s more, a busy household only needs one electric toothbrush for the entire family, provided everyone has access to their brush head. Just make sure that the base unit is regularly charged to avoid any issues in the morning.
3. Eco-Friendly Manual Toothbrushes
While electric toothbrushes are generally more effective at keeping your teeth and gums looking their best, some people prefer the simplicity of a manual brush. If you must stick to a manual brush, don’t buy plastic products and explore more sustainable alternatives instead. Bamboo toothbrushes are incredibly popular and easy to obtain, as well as being pretty affordable.
Unlike plastic brushes, the bamboo used to manufacture these dental essentials is biodegradable. Even if they’re thrown away with the rest of the trash, they won’t be lingering around for years in landfills. What’s more, you don’t have to worry about second-rate results. Provided you’ve mastered your brushing technique, bamboo toothbrushes are just as reliable as their plastic counterparts.
4. Think Before Throwing Away Your Old Toothbrush
While bamboo toothbrushes are a more sustainable choice, there’s no reason to throw them away once the bristles have worn down. While those barely-there bristles may no longer be suitable for cleaning your teeth, they can be used for other everyday tasks.
Use your old brushes to keep sneaker treads clean. You can even use retired toothbrushes as part of your everyday cleaning routine. They’re great for getting into tight corners and awkward books.
5. Eco-Friendly Floss
Around 68% of American adults floss at least once a week. More than half of those floss at least once a day. While flossing is an important part of a rigorous dental care routine, floss isn’t the most eco-friendly of products.
Everything from the gloss itself to the containers it comes in tends to be made from harmful materials that are either non-biodegradable or outright toxic to the environment. While you shouldn’t think about ditching floss from your morning routine, you should explore greener alternatives. Eco-friendly products are readily available, with some manufacturers offering floss that’s made from silk, rather than nylon. Are you someone who struggles with traditional floss? Think about upgrading to a water flosser instead.
6. Choose Cruelty-Free Products
Even if you’re choosing dental products that are good for the planet, there’s no guarantee that they’re cruelty-free. Thankfully, many major brands like Crest now offer cruelty-free and vegan alternatives that have been manufactured without testing on animals.
While these products will be marked with their cruelty-free credentials, some are better than others at keeping your teeth and gums healthy. When choosing a mouthwash, look for products that contain all-natural antiseptic ingredients like tea tree oil and zero alcohol. When choosing toothpaste, pick products that contain ingredients like cellulose gum, glycerin, and xylitol.
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7. Do Your Homework When Choosing a New Dentist
There’s only so much you can do at home to minimize the environmental impact of your dental care routine. Eventually, you’ll need to hand over the reins to a dental professional. Many of the products that a dentist or dental hygienist uses are harmful to the ecosystem. However, you can help mitigate the issue by being regimented with your approach to oral care.
By keeping tooth decay in check, there’s less chance of you requiring restorative treatments to remedy cavities. What’s more, you can choose sustainable dental practices that use eco-friendly resources. In some cases, your dental clinic may even offer a recycling scheme to help you dispose of empty toothpaste tubes, worn brushes, and used floss. That’s the circular economy in action!
