When you think about all the plastic waste in the world, it is easy to get discouraged. After all, how can we expect to solve this issue if we cannot even manage to keep our own personal hygiene habits plastic-free? There are many things that will help you reduce your plastic use when it comes to oral hygiene. Thankfully, these practices are not as difficult as they seem. All it takes is a little adjustment of your habits and a general awareness of the products you use. Here are some recommendations on how you can keep your pearly whites plastic-free.
Avoid any industrial mouthwash. There are many homemade and natural recipes to keep your mouth fresher as well as to remove bacteria. For example, by mixing water with baking soda (3 teaspoons per cup of water) and three drops of mint essential oil.
Use natural products over plastic
It is important to start with the basics of plastic-free oral hygiene. When you pick which toothpaste to use, you can choose from natural, non-plastic varieties. You want to look for toothpastes that do not contain microbeads. When you are choosing a natural toothbrush, look for one made of bamboo or coconut fibers. You can also use a bamboo toothpaste brush.
There are even some that come with natural antibacterial properties. A natural loofah is an excellent option for a more sustainable bath routine. Alternatively, you can use a washcloth made from natural fabrics such as linen or hemp. If you are going the loofah route, make sure you replace it every three months to prevent bacteria build-up.
Change your toothbrush for a biodegradable one. There areย 100% biodegradable toothbrushesย that will allow you to compost them when needing to be dumped. These brushes are not suitable for vegans as, nowadays, the only option with biodegradable bristles are those that come from animal hair.ย There are also bamboo toothbrushesย whose handle is 100% biodegradable, but, unfortunately, all of them carry nylon4 bristles.
Ditch the plastic razors for steel
Razors come with a lot of plastic packaging, which is not only a very wasteful practice, but also harmful for the environment. The best alternative to this is to use a safety razor or a straight razor. Safety razors have been around for a very long time, and you can even find them in old advertisements. Safety razors are usually made of stainless steel.
They have only one moving part and no extra plastic. You can easily clean them with a drop of oil. They are often cheaper than the plastic versions, and you can easily find a vintage model if you are looking for something with a retro feel. A traditional straight razor, on the other hand, is a bit more tricky to master. If you want to try it, you need to make sure that you buy a 100% stainless steel one. Some models are made with a mix of metals, and this can lead to rusting.
Useย dental floss made of silk. Nylon and Teflon of classic dental floss and dental tape represent a significant amount of ocean pollution.
Switch to plastic-free Toothpaste packaging
Switch to 100% plastic free toothpaste. There are many recipes for homemade toothpaste (we leave ours below). And if you do not want to make yours, you can findย solid and 100% natural toothpastes. There are brands that sell them in bulk. ย Toothpaste with nature-derived ingredients that comes with a metal key used to help squeeze every last drop from the tube. Some Toothpaste are eco-friendly for its recyclable metal packaging.
Avoid any industrial mouthwash. There are many homemade and natural recipes to keep your mouth fresher as well as to remove bacteria. For example, by mixing water with baking soda (3 teaspoons per cup of water) and three drops of mint essential oil. Antibacterial mouthwash helps keep harmful oral bacteria at bay. In addition to washing away food and debris, it also reduces plaque buildup. Be sure to choose an alcohol-free formula to preventย dry mouth.
Go for eco-friendly alternatives
When you are choosing an alternative to your regular poly products, try to choose one made from sustainable materials. You can find plenty of alternatives to every plastic product you use. For example, organic cotton pads and reusable menstrual cups are great alternatives to disposable sanitary pads. An organic toothbrush is a much better choice than a plastic one, and reusable grocery bags are a great alternative to single-use plastic bags. With a bit of research, you will find plenty of sustainable alternatives.
Conclusion
There is no doubt that plastic is ruining our planet, but we can all do something about it. It all starts with these four basics for plastic-free oral hygiene. When you replace plastic items with sustainable alternatives, you are not only keeping your oral hygiene plastic-free but also helping the environment.
