Every year on Earth Day, we’re reminded of our collective responsibility to the planet. We make efforts to recycle more, reduce waste, and adopt green habits. But, have you ever thought about incorporating eco-friendliness into your dental care routine? A greener smile is not only better for the environment but for your health too.
If you’re unsure where to start, don’t fret. In this post, we’re going to explore various eco-friendly dental practices that can help you sustainably keep your smile bright and healthy.
Sustainable Dental Products
The first step to an eco-friendly dental care routine starts with the products you use. Commonly available plastic toothbrushes take hundreds of years to decompose. In the U.S. alone, over a billion toothbrushes end up in landfills annually. An easy swap to counter this issue is by using a bamboo toothbrush.
Additionally, consider switching to toothpaste tablets or make your own toothpaste. This eliminates the plastic waste from toothpaste tubes. Furthermore, try using silk dental floss as it’s biodegradable compared to its plastic counterparts.
Water Conservation
The practice of leaving the tap running while brushing is extremely wasteful. An average faucet spews out around two gallons of water per minute. Multiply this by the recommended two-minute brushing time, and that’s a significant amount of water wasted.
Simply by turning off the tap while brushing can save up to 200 gallons of water a month. And it’s not just beneficial for the environment – you’ll notice a dip in your water bill too!
Green Dentistry Practices
Not only can you make changes at home, but there are also eco-friendly choices you can make when choosing your dental care provider. More and more dentists are adopting green dentistry practices, focusing on reducing waste and pollution, saving energy, and promoting wellness.
Choose a dentist who follows green practices. They might use digital radiography instead of traditional X-rays, reducing harmful radiation and eliminating the need for chemical processing. Additionally, they could practice waste reduction by sterilizing and reusing tools instead of relying on disposable ones.
Eco-friendly Oral Hygiene Products
Your choice of oral hygiene products can also impact your eco-friendliness. Many mouthwashes come in plastic bottles and contain alcohol, which can dry out your mouth. Opt for an alcohol-free, eco-friendly mouthwash, often sold in glass bottles or even as tablets.
Eco-friendly dental floss is another option. Instead of plastic floss in a plastic container, look for floss made from silk or bamboo fiber, housed in a reusable or recyclable container.
Use of Natural Ingredients
Consider products with natural ingredients. Many toothpastes and mouthwashes contain chemicals that, when spit out, can harm the environment. Natural alternatives usually contain ingredients like baking soda, coconut oil, and essential oils, which are better for both your health and the planet.
Some might argue about the effectiveness of natural ingredients in dental care products. However, recent studies show that ingredients like coconut oil and baking soda are just as effective as their chemical counterparts.
Composting
Many people are already composting their kitchen waste. But did you know you can compost some of your dental waste too?
Your bamboo toothbrush, for instance, can go straight into the compost pile once you’ve removed the bristles. The same goes for silk floss. This significantly reduces the amount of waste you’re sending to the landfill.
Recycling Programs
Several companies have introduced recycling programs for their products. Through these programs, you can send back your used products for recycling.
For instance, some companies allow you to send back used toothpaste tubes, dental floss containers, and even old toothbrushes. Participating in these programs is another way you can make your dental care routine greener.
While these steps might seem small, collectively, they can make a big difference in reducing our environmental impact. Eco-friendly dental care not only benefits your oral health but also contributes significantly to a more sustainable world.
Start with small steps, like turning off the tap while brushing or switching to a bamboo toothbrush. Gradually, you can incorporate more eco-friendly practices into your dental care routine. A greener smile is within your reach!
Are you ready to bring eco-friendly practices into your dental care routine? At Behner Dental, we’re committed to green dentistry and are here to guide you on your journey to a greener smile. From eco-friendly products to sustainable dental practices, we’re leading the way in creating smiles that not only look good but do good too.
Don’t wait another day to start making a difference. Book your appointment with us today and let’s work together towards a greener and healthier world, one smile at a time.
