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Living a zero waste lifestyle isn't always easy. You are forever growing and learning. I believe it's best to start slow and give yourself a chance to figure it all out. We can all make little changes to reduce waste ,live plastic free, and have an eco friendly home.
Either than cloth diapering my first zero waste routine was my dental routine! It has been a surprisingly easy change and my teeth are squeaky clean!
Is Your Dental Routine REALLY that Wasteful?
The short answer is YES!
There are chemicals and sometimes even bits of plastic in common toothpaste brands. We are spitting our toothpaste down the drain and into oceans, lakes, or rivers causing water pollution. YIKES!
Toothpaste tubes are made out of plastic, toothbrushes are made out of plastic, dental floss containers are made out of plastic..... Plastic stays on the planet FOREVER.... That's a SCARY thought!
Have you ever questioned what your dental floss is made of ? I recently did and it's not great!
Dental floss is typically made from nylon (Petroleum based plastic), Teflon ( harmful chemical- used in non stick pans. Their gases are known to kill birds), and synthetic waxes ( our planet cannot break them down).
I will not buy non stick pots and pans because their coating is made of teflon... so why am I flossing my teeth with the very chemical I'm avoiding?
My Zero Waste Dental Routine
ZERO WASTE TOOTHPASTE
"Dip, Brush, Smile"
That's how I brush my teeth now!
I discovered Nelson Natural's zero waste toothpaste and I LOVE IT!
It comes in a super cute glass jar! HOOORAY for no plastic!!!!!
Their toothpaste does not contain Glycerin, SLS, Fluoride, Triclosan or Titanium
To brush your teeth you dip your brush in the jar and brush your teeth like normal.
Nelson Naturals has a great selection of flavours including charcoal , spearmint, and crush and brush charcoal.
They are a Canadian company located in the small town of Nelson British Columbia!!!
You can order Nelson Naturals Toothpaste from amazon.ca, amazon.com, and well.ca
ZERO WASTE DENTAL FLOSS
I am currently using Dental Lace. ( US LINK) It comes in a reusable glass jar with a metal lid and the floss is compostable.
Their 100% silk floss is waxed with candelilla wax and comes in multiple flavours. They also have a great VEGAN option.
ZERO WASTE MOUTHWASH
Mouthwash is one thing I really struggled to find. There isn't much variety when it comes to waste free mouthwash! BUT it's something I need in my life.
Luckily Georganics saved the day AGAIN!
They are the only company I could find that sells a natural waste free mouthwash!
I am currently using their Mouthwash tablets in Spearmint.
They also have a Wild Thyme flavour. They are made from 100% natural and non toxic ingredients.
To use them you put 1 tablet in a cup with 20ml of water and wait for it to dissolve. Gargle for 30 seconds, then spit out! Thats it!
I just keep a shot glass in my bathroom cabinet for when I need to use mouthwash.
( I SWEAR thats all it's for... though somedays a morning shot doesn't sound so bad)
Georganics also sells Oil Pulling Mouthwash. I have never tried it but I have heard great things!
ZERO WASTE TOOTHBRUSH
Last but not least......... Toothbrushes!!!
I have been unable to find a completely zero waste toothbrush. The issue is with the bristles. Every bamboo toothbrush I have found has nylon bristles. This is better than nothing. At least the handle isn't plastic!
Right now I am loving Brush Naked and B Kind's bamboo toothbrushes.
( Shop Bamboo toothbrushes on amazon.com & amazon.ca)
They are seriously such great toothbrushes. I didn't realize they would last so long.
They have no chemicals or pesticides to their bamboo! The bamboo handles are 100% biodegradable and bristles are made from BPA free nylon.
SO there you have it my (almost) ZERO WASTE dental routine! It doesn't require a lot of effort! All it requires is knowing where to order from.
GOOD LUCK.
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