Have you ever celebrated Earth Day on April 22nd? If not, this year can be the one that you make a couple of eco-friendly changes to do your part. You don’t have to make big and expensive alterations to your life by purchasing a bunch of solar panels either; start your changes off small! Read on for a list of four eco-friendly oral hygiene products you could use to reduce plastic waste.
Bamboo Toothbrush
If you’re using plastic single-use toothbrushes, a simple change you could make is to use a bamboo toothbrush. They’re durable, come with soft-bristles, and will get the job done just as well, minus the waste. Since it’s recommended that you change out your toothbrush every three months to reduce bacteria accumulation, that means that the average person will use 280 plastic toothbrushes in their lifetime. Bamboo grows quickly, is incredibly sturdy, and is biodegradable, making it a great eco-friendly toothbrush material.
Eco-Friendly Dental Floss
Traditional dental floss along with the container are made of plastic, and even though flossing picks are easy to use and convenient, they’re also made from plastic and aren’t good for the environment. To help reduce your waste over the next year, try switching to an eco-friendly, biodegradable floss. There are flosses made from silk that are packaged in glass or cardboard containers.
A Water Flosser
If you currently use flossing picks because they’re simple to maneuver, an even better eco-friendly alternative other than silk dental floss would be a water flosser. They have bulky handles, which makes them easy to hold, and jet a high-powered stream of water across your teeth, cleaning them in the same way that your car goes through a carwash. It’s incredibly effective and isn’t just a single-use item. Water flossers can last for years and even have interchangeable heads.
Zero-Waste Mouthwash
A newer product on the market is zero-waste mouthwash, which comes packaged in biodegradable materials as a tablet. All you need to do is put it in a glass of water and swish! Traditional mouthwash packaging uses a lot of plastic because it’s so large, but with this zero-waste mouthwash, you’ll be able to feel like you’re actually making a difference this Earth Day.
Eco-friendly changes don’t have to be completely life-altering or expensive. By simply swapping out everyday, single-use items for a more sustainable option, you can have more of an impact than you think.
About the Author
Dr. Vince Fava has over 25 years in the dental field and is passionate about helping his patients maintain good oral health for a lifetime. By taking the time to listen to and educate his patients, he hopes to build meaningful connections and a positive relationship with them so they don’t feel hesitant coming back to the dentist’s office. For questions or to schedule a checkup and cleaning, visit Torbram Dental’s website or call 905-792-7163.