Sustainable Oral Care Habits: What You Should Know
With the recent changes in the education system which is more on sensitizing people on environmental issues has lead to creating a more environmentally conscious generation.
Most people today have taken a firm stand on the environment hence more ecologically aware.
Reason to celebrate, right? You know taking part in sustainable habits in terms of energy or any type of plastic usage is becoming a number one choice for many individuals. This, without a doubt, can be counted as a positive advantage to our society.
However, have you ever imagined how huge of an impact your oral care affects the environment?
It could sound like a joke, but just letting you know that most of the planet waste comes from your tooth and gum products. But Dental O So Gentle is proud to promote environmentally friendly oral care habits and clinical practices.
And making your own dental hygiene practices environmentally friendly is very simple, thankfully.
This article seeks to share important knowledge on oral health with a clear pathway to choosing sustainable dental hygiene which can help save the planet.
Important Facts on Dental and Oral Health
Some facts highlighting the importance of oral hygiene.
- The human mouth has over 700 bacteria types present in your mouth at one time.
- Permanent teeth cavity infection is present in over 90% of adults with age range from 20-64.
- Gum disease is present in over 50% of adults who are over the age 30.
- About 10% of the global population is affected by severe gum disease.
- Worldwide, the most prevalent non-communicable disease is Oral diseases.
It is important to note that, apart from poor oral health affecting your mouth, it is also a number one cause of serious conditions such as Alzheimer’s, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes complications. This only shows how caring and practising proper dental care is so very important.
Sustainable Oral Health:
Since you now have some information on the topic, let’s get to the main agenda, what is sustainable in oral health? Putting this into perspective simply means avoiding environmental impactful behaviour by using dental products that are deemed environmentally friendly.
Keeping a healthy planet is everyone’s goal, nonetheless, what are you doing to achieve this on a personal level? Thinking that your actions as an individual will not affect the planet is lowkey diabolical. Together as Australians, we can impact the environment greatly.
Do this by cutting off products with toxic chemicals and non-biodegradable plastics. Opting for natural dental options is a great first approach.
Adopt these Sustainable Oral Care Habits:
How to go about eco-friendly dental habits, It is very easy to combine environmentally friendly practices with your general oral hygiene routine. This is what you can do:
1. Go for Biodegradable Toothbrushs:
Large amounts of waste are created by the use of plastic toothbrushes, that then go into land fill or billions end up in the ocean after being used. Billions end up in oceans and landfills each year. Bamboo toothbrushes are biodegradable and work really well when brushing your teeth, it could be a small change but end up having a large affect on the planet if we all did it change to bamboo toothbrushes.
2. Natural toothpaste:
These modern toothpastes have sweeteners, artificial colours, harsh abrasives and other ingredients that are questionable. The way to solve this is by going for natural toothpaste with ingredients like essential oils, coconut oil and baking soda. still achieving the clean you need but with natural products.
3. Chewable Tooth Tablets or Tooth Powder:
Regular toothpastes are getting outdated as alternatives keep coming up. The plastic free types are getting a wide recognition. Look for brands with effective chewable and fluoride tooth tablets that leave no waste.
4. Bamboo or Silk Dental Floss:
Nylon is what most floss is made of, so by using floss made out of bamboo fibres, you will still get all those pesky caught food particles but also make you a sustainable dental hygiene advocate.
5. Make Your Own Mouthwash:
Alcohol is the major part of most mouthwash ingredients, it is easy to make your own natural mouthwash, this can be done by using some essential oils and mixing it with hydrogen peroxide, which also helps with whitening your teeth, as well as killing bacteria. Nonetheless, first consult with your dentist and get their professional advice before opting for this.
A More Eco-friendly Oral Care Routine
Sustainable Oral Care, apart from just switching products, some practices are sustainable to adopt as well.
· Package Minimalism:
Be choosy when it comes to packaging as there are refillable options that are the way to go. These refillables will cut down on wasteful packaging that will later go to landfill.
· Proper Disposal and Recycling:
Recycling disposable products is very important if you choose to use them. It’s also a good thing to check with your local recycling program if they take items like floss containers, toothbrushes, etc. great how one single action can solve two problems.
· Efficiently Use Water:
Leaving your taps on while brushing your teeth is not a proper water conservation method, minimizing water waste is the whole sustainable oral care idea.
It is important to take care of your oral health by following regular dental hygiene habits, you can still be eco-friendly while at it. Going green is very simple, so adjusting a bit to biodegradable products will help save the environment, while still prioritising your teeth and gums hygiene. As they say, this is our only home and we don’t have an alternative.