Did you know that the average person uses around 300 toothbrushes in their lifetime? That’s a lot of plastic that ends up in landfills! Not only does this create pollution, but all that plastic can take centuries to decompose. By using sustainable oral care products and practices, we can reduce the amount of waste we produce and help protect the environment.
Oral care is something that often gets taken for granted. We brush and floss our teeth without thinking too much about it. But what if we told you that the way you care for your teeth can have a huge impact on the environment?
It’s true. The methods we use to clean our teeth every day can be harmful to the planet, and even dangerous for our own health. That’s why it’s important to switch to sustainable oral care practices that are gentle on the earth and good for our bodies.
What is Sustainable Oral Care?
First of all, let’s answer this basic question. Sustainable oral care is a term used to describe practices and products that are gentle on the environment. This mainly includes:
- choosing natural ingredients over harsh chemicals,
- recycling and reusing products whenever possible,
- avoiding disposable items,
- saving water while brushing,
- using biodegradable dental products
There are a few reasons why sustainable oral care is so important. For one, the dental care products we use daily can be harmful to the environment. Many conventional toothpastes and mouthwashes contain harsh chemicals that can pollute water supplies and damage ecosystems.
What’s more, many of these chemicals are also toxic to humans. They can cause everything from skin irritations to severe health problems, such as mouth ulcers, stomach problems, and more. So it’s important to choose products that are beneficial to both the earth and our bodies.
Sustainable Oral care products
When choosing a dental care product, we must know what’s included in them and the potential harm it could do to our health and our planet. A lot of the dental care brands use inorganic and chemical materials which are not eco-friendly, claiming they’re superior in terms of protection and effectiveness. However, there are various products available in the market which bring the desired results, that are aligned with sustainable techniques.
Here are a few eco-friendly dental care products you can start using today:
- Bamboo toothbrush. You can safely switch your plastic toothbrush with an eco-friendly one made of bamboo. This material is not wasteful, while plastic toothbrushes often end up in landfills, increasing the pollution levels. Bamboo is grown quickly without any chemicals and can make a sturdy toothbrush handle.
- Organic Toothpaste. People often associate organic and natural toothpaste with ineffective teeth brushing and not a fresh breath. That’s a common misconception which deters people’s attention from the toxic chemicals in the typical toothpastes. Ingredients such as Triclosan, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Parabens, and artificial coloring can be very harmful to your health because your oral cavity absorbs them into your bloodstream. Besides the harmful effect on our health, most toothpaste tubes are lined with materials, which cannot be recycled or reused. Investing in high-quality natural toothpaste can save you from health scares and save the planet from excessive chemical use.
- Eco-friendly dental floss. Another integral element of your daily routine, dental floss, actually includes materials that cannot be recycled. So, similarly to toothbrushes and toothpaste tubes, they end up in landfills, taking hundreds of years to break down.
Thankfully, there are many sustainable oral care products available that can help us keep our mouths healthy without harming the environment. These products often use natural ingredients like tea tree oil and essential oils, which offer sufficient protection to our teeth and gums and are also biodegradable. They also come in packaging made from renewable materials like paper or bamboo, which can be easily recycled and reused.
Takeaway
Making small changes like these can have a big impact on the environment and help us take better care of our teeth and gums. So why not give sustainable oral care a try today? You may be surprised at just how easy it is!
Find out how Nordics can help you change your daily dental care habits here.
