Around 3.6 billion plastic toothbrushes are used across the globe every year, with the average person using 300 in their lifetime according to the Independent. A huge 80 per cent of these end up in the ocean, where they pose a risk to marine life and habitats.
With movements like the...
10 ways to make your oral hygiene routine eco-friendly
Around 3.6 billion plastic toothbrushes are used across the globe every year, with the average person using 300 in their lifetime according to the Independent. A huge 80 per cent of these end up in the ocean, where they pose a risk to marine life and habitats.
With movements like the government 5p bag policy and documentaries such as the Blue Planet series, there is an increasing pressure on companies to contribute to reducing plastic waste. For an industry such as oral hygiene, which has traditionally been a huge user of plastic components, we’ve been delighted to see some creative ideas on how to make this happen.
Here are 10 ways you can start the journey to a more eco-friendly oral hygiene routine. 
- Sugar cane toothbrush: Tepe have brought out a fantastic “good” toothbrush which is made from sugar cane, and they even arrive in 70% recycled PET packaging and are made from green energy.
- Toothpaste tablets: Reducing the need for a plastic casing these toothpaste tablets arrive in a glass jar and refills come in compostable pouches that don’t use plastic.
- Bamboo toothbrush: A range of small companies are popping up with bamboo toothbrushes, the key here is to remember that whilst most of the toothbrush is biodegradable, many of the bristles are not, and need to be removed before recycling.
- Replaceable toothbrush heads: There are a few eco-brands who have introduced a more traditional toothbrush that has a replaceable head section, meaning there is less plastic waste produced.
- Refillable floss: Flossing is a key part of your oral hygiene routine, and now a handful of pioneering companies have created natural silk floss that can be replaced within a glass jar and use natural essential oils for flavouring.
- Biodegradable floss: If you want to go one step further there are now flosses which are 100% biodegradable and use charcoal infused bamboo floss picks.
- Coconut oil toothpaste: Pledging to be 99 percent earth-sourced, this toothpaste relies on magnesium, calcium, and peppermint oil to give your mouth a super clean feeling and even comes in a glass jar!
- Tea tree oil toothpaste: Made from just olive oil extract, peppermint and tea tree oil, this toothpaste promises super fresh breath without the chemicals. It comes in recyclable and biodegradable packaging too.
- Natural tooth-soap stick: Simply apply the toothpaste soap to your toothbrush by rubbing wet bristles onto the stick in circular motions. This is promised to be 100% natural made with non-toxic ingredients and eco-packaging.
- Coconut oil pulling: A new natural way to look after your mouth is oil pulling. This process involves a tablespoon of oil being swished around the mouth for 20 minutes first thing in the morning. The oil is supposed to work in “pulling” the bacteria, viruses and protozoa from the oral cavity.
It’s great to hear how people get on using these products so feel free to get in touch and let us know what you think!