Taking care of your dental hygiene is super important, but its not always sustainable! Most toothpaste containers can’t be recycled and if you’re flossing everyday (as you should be!) that can create a lot of waste as well.
Since brushing your teeth is something you do everyday, its definitely worth it to make your dental hygiene routine more eco-friendly. These are some sustainable alternatives that can help you reduce waste, without sacrificing your dental health.
Toothpaste
What makes them a sustainable alternative: While many conventional toothpaste tubes have to be thrown away, solid toothpaste tablets come in packing that can be easily recycled. Although they may take some getting used to, they’re a much more sustainable alternative to plastic toothpaste tubes.
Price: $12 for 62 Tablets
What makes them a sustainable alternative: Lush toothy tabs are similar to Bite’s, but are made with slightly different ingredients. While they are packaged in a plastic bottle, the bottles are made from 100% post-consumer plastic. They’re also vegan and cruelty-free.
Price: $10.95 for a 1.7 oz container
What makes them a sustainable alternative: If you’re not quite ready for toothpaste tablets, David’s Natural toothpaste is a more traditional option that is still able to be recycled! Their toothpaste is vegan and cruelty-free, and also comes with a metal key to squeeze all of the toothpaste out of the tube (allowing you to avoid wasted product).
Price: $9.95 per tube
What makes them a sustainable alternative: Tom’s of Maine is a certified B corporation, which means they are required to meet a certain standard of social and environment responsibility. Their toothpaste is vegan, cruelty-free, and the ingredients are derived from natural sources.
Price: Prices differ slightly but are about $3-$5 per single tube
Floss
What makes them a sustainable alternative: Rather than throwing away plastic packaging every time you run out of floss, CocoFloss offers refills that also come in compostable packaging. This is the floss I use and I love it! Besides the fact that its less wasteful, I also prefer how it works compared to traditional floss.
Price: $9 initially and $8 per refill
What makes them a sustainable alternative: Quip’s reusable floss pick is a sustainable alternative to disposable floss, that allows you to save 180 picks per refill. The floss is also vegan and refills are delivered automatically every three months.
Price: $15 for a plastic pick, $25 for a metal pick, and $5 per refill
Toothbrushes
What makes them a sustainable alternative: While most toothbrushes are made out of plastic that can take hundreds of years to decompose, bamboo options are becoming increasingly popular because of their quicker decomposition. This five pack from Spotlight Oral Care comes with several super cute colors.
Price: $15 for 5 toothbrushes
What makes them a sustainable alternative: Tom’s Of Maine toothbrushes are 99% made from plants and are recyclable through certain collection programs. They’re also BPA-free and made without artificial colors.
Price: $7 for a twin-pack
What makes them a sustainable alternative: If you prefer an electric toothbrush, Quip has one with replaceable brush heads that can be shipped to you in recyclable packaging. They even have a solar charger available so you can recharge your batteries instead of getting replacements.
Price: $45 for a metal handle toothbrush or $30 for a plastic handle one
Mouthwash
By Humankind Mouthwash Tablets
What makes them a sustainable alternative: These mouthwash tablets help avoid single-use plastic by offering refills that come in compostable packaging. You’ll also get free shipping on every order, and they offset 100% of carbon emissions from delivery.
Price: $12 for 60 tablets
I hope you’ll choose to try out these sustainable dental hygiene products, and if you do let me know what you thought of them in the comments. Thanks for reading, have a lovely day!