Earth Day is April 22, and the point of this day is to re-evaluate the impact that each of us is having on the planet. You may not think that has much to do with dentistry, but you would be wrong—how you take care of your teeth on a daily basis can potentially have a huge impact on the environment.
Thankfully, there are all kinds of dental products that have more earth-friendly alternatives. Here are a few examples.
Bamboo Toothbrush
Most dentists will recommend that you replace your toothbrush every few months, and when you do you’ll naturally throw the old one away. However, most toothbrushes are made of plastic, which can produce a tremendous amount of waste.
Bamboo is sturdy, grows quickly, and is easily biodegradable. They’ve surged in popularity recently, and it’s easy to see why—they’re a great way to do reduce your footprint!
Toothpaste/Mouthwash Tablets
In a similar vein, toothpaste tubes are designed to be disposable, as are mouthwash bottles. Over time, that waste can start to pile up.
Toothpaste and mouthwash tablets are small, dissolvable pills that can be mixed with water. These come in little glass containers that can be recycled more easily and produce much less waste overall.
If you do decide to get toothpaste tablets, however, be sure to get some that contain fluoride. Not all of them do, but fluoride is critically important to the strength of your teeth.
Eco-friendly Floss
Most dental floss is not only made of nylon, but also comes in disposable plastic containers. While that certainly makes it feel strong, that material isn’t the only thing that can provide that strength. Silk dental floss, for example, is much more easily biodegradable and can be just as strong.
There is also dental floss that comes in glass or cardboard containers, which is much better for the environment.
Ultimately, changing your floss or your toothpaste won’t be the thing that saves the world. But given how easy these changes are, there’s no reason not to make the eco-friendly choice!
About the Author
Dr. Khushboo Gandhi has been working in dentistry since 2006, and she’s proud to say that she has spent every day at her job learning more about how she can help people. She takes enormous pleasure in being able to help members of her community to get the care that they need. Dr. Gandhi began practicing dentistry in India before moving to the US, where she studied at the Oklahoma College of Dentistry.
If you have any questions about earth-friendly ways to care for your teeth, she can be reached at her website or by phone at (972) 449-5120.