What could truly sustainable dental care look like? If you're looking for an answer to that question, you've come to the right place! From toothbrushes to tongue cleaners to plastic-free toothpaste, there are countless ways to save our Oral hygiene even a little more ecological.
In this article, I will now give you valuable tips for the most sustainable dental care possible. Sustainably healthy and sustainably environmentally friendly! Let's go!
In advance you can find here already a short Overview about the contribution:
- Use a toothbrush made of wood
- Replace tube toothpaste with toothbrush tablets
- Use natural dental floss
- Get into the habit of a cleaning routine
- Use a spoon as a tongue scraper
- Go for a natural mouthwash
- Chew on a toothbrush wood
- Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth
- Lead a tooth-friendly lifestyle
- Have your teeth checked regularly
Notice: This article is not a substitute for medical advice, but merely provides general information about the most sustainable dental care possible.
1. Use a toothbrush made of wood
The aim is to Dental care and maintenance with the most environmentally friendly means possible. You can make a good start by replacing your plastic toothbrush with a Wooden toothbrush with natural bristles replaced as soon as it becomes unusable. Natural toothbrushes are available for example made from FSC-certified beech wood or also from rapidly renewable bamboo wood.
Recommended toothbrushes made of wood you get e.g. here*
Tip: Consciously reduce waste and saving is generally a sustainable behavior. Feel free to also use my detailed article about the most possible plastic free bathrooms.
2. Replace tube toothpaste with toothbrush tablets
Many classic toothpastes hide Pollutants, such as Microplastics. In addition, the often double waste due to cardboard box and plastic tube. So for ecological and not least health reasons, it makes perfect sense to replace them with plastic free toothbrush tablets to replace. They simply dissolve in the mouth and from that moment on, they work the same way we would expect ordinary toothpaste to work. You get it here*.
Tip: You can use your Toothpaste also do it yourself and thus ensure that only natural ingredients are used. In the linked post you will find detailed instructions.
3. Use natural dental floss
To clean the spaces between the teeth, we use dental floss. As a rule, this is made of plastic and is sold in plastic packaging. But there is also a recommendable alternative for sustainable dental care. For example this vegan floss from corn floss*.
Interdental brushes are another alternative for cleaning the interdental spaces. Sustainable Bamboo interdental brushes you can get here*.
4. get into the habit of a cleaning routine
No matter how many wooden toothbrushes, toothbrush tablets, and floss rolls you keep in your bathroom cabinet, your teeth won't take care of themselves! Brush your teeth at least 2 times a day about half an hour after eating and take 3 minutes for it. If necessary, set a timer, because it is easy to overestimate the brushing time. Supplement your brushing routine with the use of dental floss and the following tips! (Tongue scraper, mouth rinse, etc.)
Take you best also after spontaneous "In-between snacks" the time for a short cleaning session to get your preserve naturally white teeth permanently. Always be aware of the environmental and health benefits that come with sustainable dental care to keep the routine routine.
Important: You should change your toothbrush at least every 3 months, because bacteria and germs accumulate between the bristles, which will not be good for your long-term dental health.
5. Use a spoon as a tongue scraper
Our oral cavities are teeming with bacteria! That's why it's important to clean the tongue of the corresponding coatings every now and then. You can do this with the help of a Stainless steel tongue scraper or simply with a classic tablespoon make. Make sure that it is not too sharp-edged and pull it forward from the back of the tongue a few times until no more residue can be seen on the metal. The use of a tongue cleaner should also be a routine part of your sustainable oral and dental care.
6. Go for a natural mouthwash
A mouthwash is a great addition to your eco-friendly dental care routine. To reduce the usual plastic waste from mouthwashes in the spirit of the plastic-free lifestyle to avoid, you can for example Mouthwash tablets that you dissolve in an ordinary glass. However, mouthwash is also available in reusable jars or recycled plastic bottles.
Tip: Of course you can use your natural mouthwash also do it yourself. How this works, you will learn in the linked article!
7. Chew on a toothbrush wood
Admittedly: This tip is a bit unusual! But if you have no running water or toothbrushing utensils with you, a toothbrush wood can provide similar services. Miswāk (also called Siwāk) is simply a twig, bud or root piece of the toothbrush tree. The piece of wood is so suitable for sustainable dental care because it has a Remineralization effect offers. By chewing, you automatically clean your teeth. Refreshingly different, you could say!
Tip: The toothbrush wood, for example, is ideal for backpacking, camping or when Zero Waste Festival.
8. Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth
If you want to take care of your teeth in the most environmentally friendly way possible, don't just leave the faucet running when you brush your teeth, turn it off. So you can save water at home. Sometimes you may fall into old habits. In such cases, you can simply pour water into a classic Toothbrush mug and rinse with it. This way you have definitely used only a small amount of water.
9. lead a tooth-friendly lifestyle
This is not only about taking care of your teeth ecologically, but also about keeping them healthy in the long term. Whether and when you develop dental problems or tooth decay depends primarily on your lifestyle. Decisive factors are, for example, your Diet, your cleaning habits, your regular visits to the dentist, or your alcohol and tobacco consumption..
Here I would like to give you some tips for a tooth-friendly diet and lifestyle in terms of sustainable dental care:
Snack on sweets rarely rather than constantly
Consume sugary and acidic foods, such as sweets or apples, cola and wine, rather only at special moments and not all the time.
Eat a low sugar diet
Make sure you As little industrial sugar as possible and if you do, it's at meals after which you routinely brush your teeth. (see also 30 Days Sugar Free Challenge)
Avoid the consumption of alcohol
Alcohol can cause tooth discoloration, among other things, Inflammations and increase the risk for Periodontosis increase. Vomiting as a result of alcohol consumption also damages your dental health by cauterizing your teeth.₁
Drink less wine, coffee and tea
To Discolorations of your teeth, you should drink wine, coffee and tea as rarely as possible as a supplement to sustainable dental care.
Give up smoking
Cigarette use also increases the risk for Gum inflammations and Periodontitis. It also inhibits blood flow to the gums.₂
Tip: If you want to know how to definitely stop smoking click through to the linked article.
Reduce your stress
Combat the causes of stress in your everyday life. Because excessive psychological stress often leads to Teeth grinding or the breaking of teeth.
Consume more raw vegetables, whole grains & nuts
Put the focus on whole foods. They contain Sugar that is difficult for caries bacteria to utilize. When your teeth have a good time chewing, the tooth surface is automatically cleaned and saliva production is stimulated. The sugar and acids from food are thus finally rinsed out of the oral cavity.
Pay attention to the intake of essential nutrients
Calcium is important for the Mineralization of bones and teeth. It is found especially in sesame seeds, almonds, hazelnuts, kale, broccoli and spinach.
Vitamin A is valuable for the Oral mucosa and is particularly present in peppers, cooked carrots and sweet potatoes.
Vitamin C strengthens the Immune system and makes it harder for bacteria to attack your teeth. You can absorb it, for example, by eating acerola cherries, sea buckthorn juice, parsley, broccoli and red peppers.
Also Vitamin D is essential for healthy teeth, as it supports the Storage of valuable substancessuch as calcium or phosphorus. It also promotes the robustness of your teeth.
Tip: Why a balanced purely vegetable diet basically so healthy you can read in the linked article.
10. Have your teeth checked regularly
Definitely go to regular preventive checkups with your trusted dentist - and do not put off dental problems for a long time. In the end, your health insurance will also be happy about it - and reward dental cleanings every six months, for example.
Sustainable oral and dental care made easy!
As you can see, truly eco-friendly dental care goes far beyond regular tooth brushing - and is still not complicated. It's simply important that you know the tips & tricks and integrate them (little by little) into your daily care routine. The less waste you create and the more tooth-friendly your lifestyle, the better!
Do you have any questions or suggestions? Or can you think of any other tips for truly sustainable dental care? Then I'm already looking forward to your comment!
Stay healthy and sustainable,
PS.: In the sustainable health blog you will find a lot more valuable information about your well-being. Next, for example, learn how you can improve your Save your eyes on the computer screen!
References:
₁,₂ dentolo Deutschland GmbH: Zahn um Zahn - Die 9 schlimmsten No-Gos für Ihre Zähne, available at https://t1p.de/ppot. [30.08.2021].
