There are so many things we can do as earth-conscience teeth brushers! In fact, you might be pleasantly surprised by how many cool things there are in the world of dental home care that you might not even know exist! Dentistry has come such a long way and the products I plan to share with you below will hopefully start to tip you and your family into thinking a bit “greener” when it comes to your dental choices.
First thing on the list: Toothbrushes! I have one great way to inspire you to brush your teeth twice a day. Get a super cool toothbrush! When it comes to toothbrushes plastic is the biggest culprit when it comes to waste. Finding toothbrushes that are made of recycled products and/or can be recycled themselves is what you want to look for.
Earth-friendly green toothbrush
Preserve Toothbrushes
Preserve’s tagline is “Nothing wasted. Everything gained.” Their toothbrushes are made from recycled yogurt cups (100% recycled #5 plastic, BPA-free) and their bristles are nylon (which are made new). They have a Gimme 5 recycling program where you can actually recycle your toothbrush by dropping it off at a participating retailer or mail it back directly to Preserve. The toothbrushes, design-wise, are very sleek and modern and they are made in the USA which is another nice touch. These are the toothbrushes we choose to sample in our practice, White Dental Studio in Ashland, OR and we really love them! They are very sturdy, long lasting and come in fun colors for both adults and children! Sidenote: Preserve also distributes other earth-friendly products including razors, food storage and items for your table top.
RADIUS Source Toothbrushes
Talk about an awesome looking brush. The handles on the RADIUS brushes are made either from recycled flax, wood, or dollar bills. Yes, dollar bills. In person these toothbrushes are really beautiful looking and feel great in your hand. According to their website they are made from 93% recycled material & 47% is from renewable resources. The handle can be used forever and the surgical-grade nylon brush head is replaceable (and quite affordable). The over sized brush head is the only thing that might take a little bit getting used to, but overall this is another great choice.
Woo Bamboo Toothbrushes
For those of you trying to avoid plastics, why not try a bamboo toothbrush? Woo Bamboo is just one example of the expansive collection of bamboo toothbrushes on the market. Bamboo is a sustainable resource, strong, and anti-microbial so it makes perfect sense to make it into a toothbrush handle! Woo’s handles are made from organically grown bamboo and the bristles are nylon, but when you’re finished with the toothbrush you can pull out the bristles and recycle them. Then you can compost or bury the handle and let it biodegrade. These toothbrushes also come in two adult styles and a child size.
These 3 toothbrush examples are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to “green” toothbrushes. Most grocery stores these days have more options than just your generic plastic brush. Why not try something new and help cut down on the strain of the 50 million pounds of toothbrushes that enter our waste system in the US each year (according to environment.about.com)?
Post written by: Lauren White, Head of Environmental Stewardship at White Dental Studio in Ashland, OR.
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