clean beauty
Eco-Friendly Oral Care
In my experience, transitioning to non-toxic and eco-friendly oral care products has been one of the easiest swaps in my sustainability adventures.
As with any other products, you want to look for safe, sustainable ingredients in responsible packaging—preferably plastic-free. Nearly all of the commonly found dental hygiene products contain plastic.
The first step to reducing oral care waste is to begin refusing the ‘free’ toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss from the dentist and get yourself one of the following eco-friendly oral hygiene products.
Eco-friendly toothbrushes
The foundation of eco-friendly oral care is a toothbrush made from renewable materials. Dentists recommend replacing your toothbrush every three to four months. If everyone in the United States follows that advice, that’s one billion toothbrushes hitting the landfill every year. In the world, 23 billion. That’s a lot of plastic for such a seemingly small item.
If you want to know more about how your toothbrush evolved into a player in the plastic crisis, check out this article and video from National Geographic.
Researchers performed a 2020 life cycle assessment (LCA) for four types of toothbrushes. These included a traditional plastic toothbrush with a fixed head, one with a reusable biobased handle with replaceable heads, a bamboo toothbrush, and an electric toothbrush with a rechargeable handle and replaceable heads.
The bamboo and replaceable-head plastic toothbrushes had the lowest impact in all categories.
I believe the most eco-friendly toothbrush choices are those that are plastic-free and compostable. That puts me on Team Bamboo.
Bamboo toothbrushes
Bamboo toothbrushes are only 100% compostable when they contain bristles made from biobased materials, which are usually composed from castor bean oil. Be aware that some bamboo toothbrushes still use traditional nylon (plastic) bristles. In this case, pull the bristles out with pliers and throw away before composting the handle. Some companies recommend you do this with biobased bristles as well since they take much longer to decompose.
I’m currently loving my Sea Turtle Bamboo Toothbrush, made with FSC certified bamboo and plant-based bristles, sourced from castor beans. They also sell kid’s toothbrushes. This awesome company uses 100% recycled and compostable product packaging and printing labels. They are pending B Corp certification and are a 1% for The Planet member. And as if all that isn’t great enough, you get 4 toothbrushes for only $8! Also available on Amazon.
Many more companies offer a compostable toothbrush option, such as Bite, Brush with Bamboo (who also has a really cool bamboo toothbrush travel case) or the Zero Waste Store.
If bamboo isn’t for you, this Jordan Green Clean Toothbrush made from recycled plastic and bio-based bristles received high marks in my house. Even better is their option with a replaceable head. All products are packaged in recycled cardboard.
Electric toothbrushes
Bad news for all you electric toothbrush lovers: in the LCA noted above, the findings state, “The sustainability of the electric toothbrush was poor, having the greatest environmental impact in all but one category (water scarcity). The climate change impact of the electric toothbrush was over 11 times greater than the bamboo toothbrush. When considering land use, and the consequential reduction in biodiversity and habitat, the negative impact of the electric toothbrush was over 36 times that of the bamboo toothbrush.”
However, the study did note that “electric toothbrushes have a wide variability in design, and their features and composition are being continually updated. In this study, the simplest rechargeable electric toothbrush from a market-leading brand was selected, but is not necessarily representative of all electric toothbrushes. Since this study was commenced, new toothbrush materials have come to market, including reusable handles made from aluminium.”
Sustainable Jungle has two top picks for sustainable electric toothbrushes. The first is the Sustainable Tomorrow Zen Bamboo Electric Toothbrush, which has an outer cover constructed from FSC certified bamboo and uses replaceable & compostable brush heads. The company also offers bamboo toothbrush heads that are compatible with Philips Sonicare models.
The other top pick is the SURI Sustainable Electric Toothbrush, which has a repairable and recyclable aluminum handle with a steel interior. The replaceable brush heads are made from corn starch with castor bean bristles, and they can be returned to the company for recycling at no cost. There is even a UV Light Clean and Charge Case. SURI is a certified B corp and is climate neutral.
Can you recycle toothbrushes?
Plastic toothbrushes can be recycled through a specialty program. Tom’s of Maine and Hello teamed up with Terracycle to offer a free mail-in recycling program for any brand of toothbrush, toothpaste tubes/caps, and mouthwash bottles/caps. (They also accept deodorant containers and caps). Ask your dentist to sign up for this free program to collect oral care products at the office.
Oral-B and Crest also offer a free mail-in recycling program. They accept toothbrushes, brush heads, toothpaste tubes, mouthwash containers, floss containers and floss picks. Again, any brand is ok.
Note that neither of these programs accept electric toothbrushes for recycling.
How to dispose of an electric toothbrush
To recycle an electric toothbrush, the components must be separated.
- Recycle brush heads with one of the above programs.
- Remove the rechargeable battery and drop off wherever batteries are recycled.
- Best Buy accepts charging cords and cables, but they do not accept electric toothbrushes. The electric handle will have to be taken to an local electronic or scrap metal recycler.
Composting toothbrushes
Bamboo toothbrushes are compostable. Biobased bristles can also be composted, although they may take six months or more to break down. Learn more about composting here.
Natural toothpaste
Just because a dental care product is labeled as ‘natural’ does not necessarily make is safer or more eco-friendly. According to experts, the most effective strategy to plaque removal utilizes both of mechanical and chemical cleaning techniques.
Ideally, you should use toothpaste with the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance. This indicates that a company has gone through the ADA approval process by providing scientific evidence proving that its product is safe and effective. Note that to achieve this, a product must contain fluoride.
What is toothpaste made of?
All toothpastes generally contain the same categories of ingredients that fulfill specific purposes, and some ingredients are multi-functional. Most toothpastes today rely on chemical components, whereas natural toothpastes are plant-based and usually skip ingredients like preservatives, artificial sweeteners and colors, synthetic flavors, and other additives.
Common toothpaste ingredients
If you want a deep dive into ingredients, I recommend this article ‘Formulation Ingredients for Toothpastes and Mouthwashes.’
Toothpaste tablets
Toothpaste tablets are the best zero waste toothpaste option. I love having an option for toothpaste without plastic. If you’ve never used them before, give them a try. You simply pop a tablet in your mouth and chew it up until dissolved and a little foamy. Then brush with a wet toothbrush.
While being a change from a lifetime of using paste from a tube, it really didn’t take long to get used to them. My teeth and breath feel just as clean as with paste. My kids have converted as well. And no cavities for anyone.
The only caveat with toothpaste tablets is because they are a newer product, there is not yet adequate research concerning their use. As a result, ADA approved toothpaste tablets are not currently on the market.
Toothpaste tablet brands
There are many environmentally friendly toothpaste tablet brands to choose from. I have yet to try them all, but my favorite right now is huppy. This vegan and cruelty-free company uses clean non-GMO natural ingredients free of sulfate, parabens, and gluten. Their products do not contain fluoride, instead containing a fluoride alternative called nano-hydroxyapatite (N-HA). The tablets come in a little tin and subsequent refills are packaged in a compostable pouch.
Until I tried huppy, my previous favorite toothpaste tablet was hello antiplaque + whitening toothpaste tablets. They also come in a small tin but they do not have a refill option. The company is Leaping Bunny certified and lists where they source their ingredients. The biggest difference that I found is the hello tablets don’t quite dissolve as well after being chewed, leaving the consistency just a little gritty. But not enough that would stop me from still recommending them.
Bite tablets (also available on Amazon) are another very popular choice, and for good reason. This company is a certified B Corp, PETA cruelty free, vegan, woman-owned, and carbon neutral. Tablets come in a small glass jar, with 100% compostable refills. You can choose between tablets with or without fluoride. The clean ingredients are free of palm oil, SLS, sulfates, dyes, gluten, parabens, and artificial preservatives, flavors, or sweeteners. (Bite toothpaste tablets were the first tablets I tried, and now that I’ve tried a few others, it’s time to revisit so I can make a better comparison.)
Unpaste is another brand on my list to try. They are vegan, Leaping Bunny certified, carbon neutral. They don’t sell online but available retailers are listed on their website.
‘Regular’ toothpaste
Hopefully you will give toothpaste tablets a try, but if you are concerned about the lack of data concerning their efficacy, or just can’t get behind them, there are some options for you.
Out of the brands of sustainable toothpaste I have tried so far, my favorite is hello naturally whitening fluoride toothpaste by far. It is made with farm-grown mint and coconut oil, which gives it a nice minty taste that leaves my mouth feeling clean afterwards and breath fresh. It is free of BPA, phthalates, and microplastics and is Leaping Bunny certified. After years of using it my family and I have had zero cavities.
Davids All-Natural Toothpaste is the only paste I’ve seen packaged in a recyclable metal tube, which is an awesome choice by the company. However, neither I nor my husband felt that our teeth were very clean after brushing with this toothpaste and the breath freshening was lacking.
Dr. Bronner’s All-One Toothpaste is also a very good natural option from an outstanding company. But like the David’s toothpaste, I felt like the paste completely dissolved as soon as I started brushing and if felt like I was simply brushing with water.
Tom’s of Maine Natural Toothpaste is another great brand and slightly better than the previous two.
How to recycle toothpaste tubes and containers
One of the beauties of toothpaste tablets is that the containers are easily reusable and recyclable.
Plastic tubes, on the other hand, are not, despite companies like Colgate or Tom’s of Maine starting to make “recyclable” toothpaste tubes. Most toothpaste tubes are not acceptable with curbside programs since they contain multiple materials. The only option is to recycle with the free mail-in programs listed in the above ‘toothbrushes’ section.
Non-toxic mouthwash
Mouthwash is not intended to replace brushing and flossing; it alone is not enough to adequately prevent dental caries and other issues. According to the ADA, “Mouthrinses may offer additional benefit in terms of reducing the risk of bad breath, cavities, or gum disease; or for relief of dry mouth or pain from oral sores.”
The ADA classifies mouthwash into two types: cosmetic and therapeutic. Cosmetic mouthwash is meant to simply freshen breath and does not have any effect on bacteria or other root causes of halitosis and other conditions. Therapeutic mouthwashes are available both OTC and by prescription. They have active ingredients intended to help control or reduce conditions like bad breath, gingivitis, plaque, and tooth decay.
Note that many of the common active ingredients in mouthwash are the same as those in toothpaste. Common antimicrobials in mouthrinse include chlorhexidine, chlorine dioxide, cetylpyridinium chloride, and essential oils (e.g., eucalyptol, menthol, thymol, and methyl salicylate). Chlorhexidine is an antimicrobial only found in prescription mouthwash. These ingredients have all been found to be safe and effective at reducing plaque in conjunction with brushing and flossing.
Fluoride is another frequent component of mouthwash. As with toothpaste, this mineral is effective in reducing tooth decay.
If you’re interested in reading more about mouthwash ingredients, try this paper, ‘A Fresh Look at Mouthwashes—What Is Inside and What Is It For?‘.
Mouthwash ingredients to skip
- Alcohol – it can reduce saliva flow, drying your mouth and encouraging growth of bacteria. In addition, there has been a long-standing question whether there is a link between alcohol in mouthwash and oral cancer. Currently, review of the data shows that the use of alcohol-containing mouthwashes alone does not increase the incidence of oral cancer; however, when other risk factors for oral cancer are present, its use may increase the chances. Choose water-based mouthwashes instead.
- Parabens – this preservative has numerous adverse impacts on both health and environment.
Eco-friendly mouthwash brands
Recycling mouthwash containers
Recycle bottles and tins curbside as available, or use one of Terracycle’s free mail-in programs.
Eco-friendly dental floss
What is floss made of?
Traditional dental floss is made from nylon which, of course, is petroleum-based, as is the synthetic wax. Neither are biodegradeable. And as we know, plastics often contain numerous chemicals.
A 2019 study done by the Silent Spring Institute and the Public Health Institute in Berkeley, CA linked Oral-B Glide dental floss users to higher PFAS levels in their bodies. PFAS, or perfluoroalkyls, are commonly referred to as “forever chemicals” because of their persistence in both our bodies and the environment. This group of substances can lead to a wide variety of health conditions.
The researchers then tested 18 dental flosses (including 3 Glide products) for the presence of fluorine, which is a marker of PFAS. The Glide flosses, as well as a few others, tested positive.
Environmental Health News and Mamavation went further in a 2022 study, testing 39 different brands for the presence of fluorine, which they detected in one-third of the products.
Mamavation published the results on their website, along with their favorite floss products that both tested negative for fluorine. Below, I’ve listed the flosses that are biodegradeable and not composed of nylon (plastic), or packaged in plastic.
- Etee – mulberry silk, candelilla wax and natural peppermint oil floss housed in a glass container with stainless steel lid
- Bambo Earth – silk, charcoal, or corn floss
- SmartLifeco – biodegradable straw wheat floss picks
I’ve come across some additional flosses not included in the study that I feel are worth mentioning.
- Bite – 100% Plant-Based PLA, Candelilla Wax packaged in a refillable glass bottle.
- Radius – Silk Floss
- Treebird – Silk or Charcoal Bamboo floss
- Zero Waste Store – Silk Floss or Charcoal Bamboo Floss, comes in refillable glass bottle.
Recycling floss containers
Recycle plastic floss containers with Terracycle’s programs. Reuse other types of containers or recycle locally. Biodegradable flosses can be composted; flosses made from nylon go in the trash.
Natural teeth whitening
Prevention
When it comes to white teeth, prevention is key. Brushing and flossing, as well regular dental checkups and cleanings, are the most important thing you can do. The mechanical scrubbing of brushing helps to both prevent staining as well as cleans superficial staining.
Certain foods and beverages like coffee, tea, red wine, soda, and dark berries are infamous for staining teeth. You don’t necessarily need to avoid them, but try to limit the amount of time they are in contact with your teeth and brush within an hour of consumption to limit staining.
Foods high in sugar don’t directly cause staining, but lead to increased bacteria and subsequent plaque that does stain. Fruit juices, soda, and sour candy combine sugar with acid, which puts the enamel at even greater risk. Chew sugar-free gum and cut down on sugary foods in your diet, and brush soon after eating them.
Smoking and chewing tobacco also discolor teeth, so try to avoid the habit.
Eating calcium-rich foods helps to strengthen enamel. Eating raw, crunchy vegetables can help in the mechanical cleaning of plaque.
Natural whitening ingredients
There are a couple things to know before you try whitening your teeth with natural methods.
First, there are many causes for discoloration and staining, and some may not respond to whitening, natural or chemical. These include gum disease, physical trauma, and tetracycline antibiotic use.
Secondly, it’s important to note that few natural methods have any scientific data to back them up. In addition, they have the potential to do more harm than good.
Whitening occurs either by mechanical processes (brushing, abrasives in toothpaste) or chemical (bleaching). These teeth whitening ingredients come in toothpaste, mouthwash, gel, or strips.
Baking soda
All toothpaste contains an abrasive that adds texture to for the ability to mechanically scrub away foods and bacteria for clean teeth. Baking soda is a commonly used abrasive in natural toothpaste. It has been shown to be a safe and effective whitening ingredient. Note that brushing with plain baking soda hasn’t been proven to be effective, but dental products containing baking soda along with other key ingredients has.
Peroxide
Peroxides are the gold standard teeth whitening agent for both regular and natural products alike. They are well-studied, safe, and very effective. However, in high concentrations, it is possible for peroxides to lead to deproteinization and demineralization of teeth. Higher concentrations also increase incidence of gum inflammation and tooth sensitivity.
While hydrogen peroxide is a naturally-occurring chemical, be aware that the ingredient added to dental products is manufactured. Carbamide peroxide is composed of hydrogen peroxide and urea, therefore it is weaker than hydrogen peroxide.
Oil pulling
Oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic practice dental health remedy. It involves swishing/pulling coconut, sesame, or olive oil between your teeth for up to 20 minutes. Although not scientifically proven, this practice is believed to not only whiten teeth, but also improve overall oral health, including decreasing cavities, gum disease and bad breath.
A 2022 meta-analysis on the effectiveness of oil pulling found that it may have possible benefits in reducing salivary bacteria count, but had no significant effect on plaque or gingival health. The ADA maintains that “currently, there are no reliable scientific studies to show that oil pulling reduces cavities, whitens teeth or improves oral health and well-being. Based on the lack of scientific evidence, the American Dental Association does not recommend oil pulling as a dental hygiene practice.”
Still, there are no significant dangers or side effects to oil pulling, and it’s very economical, so go ahead and give it a try if you’re interested. Check out Healthine’s steps for oil pulling to learn how.
Fruit
Naturally teeth whitening foods contain enzymes that may help with discoloration. These include citrus, strawberries (malic acid), papaya (papain), and pineapple (bromelain) But stick with simply eating these fruits: the ADA advises against using them to scrub your teeth or otherwise prolonging contact with these acids because they can wear away your enamel.
skip DIY pastes, try products with fruit enzymes bromelain and papain
Teeth whitening ingredients to skip
- Activated charcoal has been shown to be too abrasive to tooth enamel.
- Apple cider vinegar weakens enamel and leads to tooth decay.
- DIY fruit acid pastes or rinses are too acidic and may damage enamel.
Safe teeth whitening products
Natural whitening toothpaste
- Burt’s Bees Extra White Fluoride Natural Toothpaste Mountain Mint or Purely White Zen Peppermint Toothpaste Fluoride-Free
- Davids sensitive+whitening nano-hydroxyapatite premium toothpaste
- Tom’s of Maine Luminous White Toothpaste
Eco-friendly teeth whitening gel
- Bite’s hydrogen peroxide-based Whitening Gel comes in a glass vial with a bamboo applicator.
- Dr. Brite GET BRITE Teeth Whitening Pen
- Company is a certfied B Corp, Leaping Bunny certified, Gluten Free, Paraben Free, Non-GMO, Phthalate Free, and Fluoride Free
Natural teeth whitening strips
Healthline’s choice for Best Sustainable Whitening Strips goes to Elims Magic Melt-Away Teeth Whitening Masks. These strips are made with 10 simple and safe ingredients and dissolve within seconds. They are vegan, cruelty-free, and gluten-free, and are free of parabens, SLS, and artificial colors or flavors. They are packaged in 100% recycled paper and according to the company, use 33% less plastic packaging than other whitening strips.
Final thoughts on eco-friendly oral care
Arming yourself with a non-plastic toothbrush and a tin of toothpaste tablets instead of traditional toothpaste is a very simple way yet impactful approach to minimize waste and exposure to potentially harmful chemicals. This eco-friendly oral hygiene practice, which you engage in several times daily, not only contributes to reducing the staggering amount of plastic toothbrushes that end up in landfills and oceans each year but also offers a healthier alternative by avoiding the preservatives and artificial ingredients found in many conventional toothpastes. By making this simple switch, you take a significant step towards a more sustainable lifestyle, demonstrating how small changes in our daily routines can have a profound effect on our health and the planet.
*Disclaimer: This information is based on my own personal research. Always follow the advice of your dentist, especially if you have any dental conditions. Use any products as directed.