Eco-Friendly & Ethical Dental Products To Consider In 2022
Sustainable Alternatives To Traditional Dental Products
Here at Abbey Road Dental we’re more than aware of the issues with dental care products and plastic waste pollution.
Whilst oral care has to come first and there’s no getting away with the need to use items like toothbrushes, if you would like to try more eco-friendly options, there are some opportunities to make a positive change to what you buy. Let’s take a closer look at why and how you can take care of your smile whilst caring for the planet:
Why?
Unfortunately, we’re in a bit of a pickle when it comes to the environment and all kinds of non-degradable waste. No individual can fix all the problems, but collectively, we can all do a little bit more to support the earth and to try not to contribute to landfill and pollution. As a consumer, one of the biggest impacts you can have is to make different choices when you shop, opting for more sustainable products and indicating to big brands that you want eco-friendly options.
Different Planet-friendly Oral Care Options
Here are some of the different eco-friendly oral care products and services to consider when you’re thinking about making a change to your buying habits:
Zero Waste Shops
Zero waste shops are a great place to start when it comes to being more eco-friendly with your oral health care. They often have a variety of dental care products for you to try, often at a decreased price because you bring your own refillable packaging. So, if you are unfamiliar with different options for leading a plastic-free life, start here and have a browse.
Non-Plastic/ Low Plastic Toothbrushes
Toothbrushes are highly impactful to the environment, with the UK alone disposing of over 2 million annually. The good news is that you can try alternative toothbrush materials that are better for the environment in some way. There are bamboo brushes, brushes that use pig bristles instead of nylon bristles (not suitable for veggies or vegans) and recycled plastic brushes to consider too. In addition, some people also choose to move to electric toothbrushes which do require the head replacing, but the amount of plastic for that is less, and so it is better for the environment overall.
Natural Floss
Normal floss is made of nylon and plastic, which means that it is not biodegradable, and it tends to come in a plastic box too, doubling the environmental impact. If you did want to try and minimise the environmental impact of your floss, there are options to try. Some companies are making the boxes refillable, so you at least cut down on the disposable plastic box waste. Other companies are trying to use recycled plastic for the floss, although that can often not be recyclable but, it’s still better than using virgin plastic. There are also flosses available that are made of products like silk (not vegan friendly) or cornstarch and vegetable oil, which is quite ingenious really. The only downside is the price, which is commonly at least double the price of normal floss. As time goes on, though, you can expect these products to be more available and more accessible in price, especially as big brands get on board with being more eco-friendly.
All Natural Mouthwash & Toothpaste
Mouthwash and toothpaste often comes in a non-recyclable plastic container which is destined for landfill. Unfortunately, this is a bit of an environmental disaster with over 300 million toothpaste tubes going to landfill every year from the UK alone, but it does mean that simply purchasing a dental product in a recyclable or compostable package means you’re doing a really great thing for the environment overall. In addition, a lot of sustainably packaged products tend to be more natural products that are free from chemicals and other additives you may wish to avoid. So, it’s a triple bonus really for both the water system, the planet and your health.
Overall, there is a small selection of products like these available at the moment which are still available as pastes, tablets (which also save on water use), powders and liquids you can use. Generally, as long as the product has fluoride in it, it could work just as well as any standard toothpaste. You will also find that these products may be a little more expensive than your average oral health items, although they can also last longer, so it’s a bit of a balancing act. Realistically, in the future we will see a lot more standard brands work to provide better products and packaging at a more accessible price. In the meantime, please feel free to speak to us at your next St John’s Wood NW8 checkup about products you are considering so we can advise you on their effectiveness when it comes to your oral health.
Dental Accessories
There are a range of dental accessories available in eco-friendly materials. This includes items like tongue scrapers, floss sticks, interdental brushes and toothpicks. They tend to have metal and bamboo combinations of build, including some plastic which may not be degradable, depending on the brand.
Oral Care Product Recycling Stations
There are various stations across the UK, as well as postal options, that can help you to recycle your oral care products. Lots of them are from the manufacturers of electric toothbrushes, who will accept used batteries and toothbrush heads, as well as dental floss containers, manual toothbrushes, electric flosser nozzles and interdental accessories. Do check the individual sites to see what they will accept, and to see where your nearest drop off point is.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world: indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead
Here at Abbey Road Dental we want you to know that your priority absolutely should be your dental care, and if you currently need plastic products to properly care for your teeth that is absolutely OK. There’s a long way to go before alternative products are highly accessible and affordable compared to standard oral care products.
If you do want to make a change, or feel able to give some eco-friendly products a go, have a look around online and in the shops and see what takes your fancy. It might take a few different product trials to find one that fits, but if you do, that’s one more step towards a more eco-friendly life, which is great. We’d also like to encourage you to speak to your NW8 hygienist or dentist about any products you are unsure of, and we can have a look to see how effective it is at helping you maintain the health of your teeth and gums. We’re here to support you in your eco-friendly oral care endeavours.