Low Waste Bathroom Swaps Part 1: Dental Care

Disclaimer: I was provided with free products from KMH Touches and Life UNpacked in exchange for their mention in this blog post. However, all thoughts and opinions in this post are my own honest reviews without any influence from these companies and/or their affiliates in any way. All external sources consulted are linked at the bottom of the post or within it. The information shared should not replace professional dental advice from your dental professional. Remember, although a registered dental provider, I haven’t seen your mouth, and everyone has unique needs.

This is a post I’ve wanted to put out in the world for a long time! As most of you probably don’t know, I’ve been a dental professional for five years now. When it comes to dentistry, it’s really tough to be low waste due to the required infection control measures in the profession. However, there are lots that we can do at home in terms of our oral hygiene to reduce waste, which likely means making a daily difference.

Now bear with me, this post was a lot more complex than I had initially intended. I knew that I couldn’t share information on this topic without explaining the why behind a lot of it. I knew that I couldn’t touch on health care products without also touching on product safety and health effects. Unfortunately, being low waste is not always the end-all-be-all when health is involved. Your dental hygiene routine is a health care routine, and that’s important to keep in mind. With sustainability becoming more “trendy,” a lot of brands are putting products on the market without actually knowing whether what they’re selling is harmful to your health or not. Pretty cringey if you ask me… So please stay with me, I promise it will be worth the read!

To keep this post simple, I’ve broken it down into a few categories. First, I need to touch on PLA, or polylactic acid. Afterwards, I’ll dive into some low waste product options and share personal reviews, and finally, break down some low waste toothpaste information (if there’s one takeaway I’d like for you, it would be this last section).

PLA - an introduction

There’s a lot to know about polylactic acid (PLA), but for the purpose of this blog post, I’ll stick to the basics (I promise it’s relevant). You may have heard of this so-called “bio-plastic” with claims of being biodegradable (& sometimes marketed as compostable). It’s used in many “eco” products and packaging, amongst other products. Because it’s considered food safe, you’ve likely used it before, without even knowing it. I’ve seen it labelled as “compostable” straws, in takeout smoothie cups, and as cellophane windows within cardboard box packaging. Although significantly less toxic than regular plastics (which are made from fossil fuels and have the potential to release toxic chemicals at every stage of their life cycle), PLA still isn’t a miracle material. Plastic, even if derived from GMO corn or other plants, is still plastic. It may get marketed as compostable, but it’s only so in contained, industrial compost facilities with specific humidity conditions and temperature. Unfortunately, most communities don’t have access to these facilities, and in the landfill, it’s estimated that PLA takes 100-1000 years to break down. For these reasons, PLA is a bit controversial in the environmentalist community.

Product Recommendations

Pictured above: Brush with Bamboo bamboo toothbrush, KMH Flosspot Gold corn floss, KMH Flosspot Gold floss refills, Life UNpacked bamboo toothbrush, Life UNpacked corn floss.

Bamboo toothbrushes

This is something I just began using because I still had electric toothbrush heads to use up first (and you should always use what you have first, since that’s the most sustainable). For each low waste swap, I’ll be noting general pros and cons of the product versus using a conventional substitute.

Pros: The handles are completely biodegradable (and depending on the brand, likely home compostable) since they are made of raw bamboo wood. Conventional toothbrush handles are made of plastic, which live in our landfills and oceans forever. Bamboo is a fast-growing plant (thus a renewable resource as well) making it a lot more sustainable than plastic which requires petroleum and emits chemicals in its manufacturing and beyond.

Cons: It’s important to note that, like conventional toothbrushes, bamboo toothbrush bristles are also usually made of nylon (a type of plastic), which you have to remove and put in the trash before throwing the handle in your compost. So it’s still not fully plastic-free. I’ve also heard stories of the bamboo getting moldy quite quickly if you aren’t letting it air dry properly between uses (so please don’t throw your wet toothbrush into a drawer). These of course, are negligible cons in my opinion because with proper care, choosing bamboo over plastic definitely reduces the amount of plastic that you’d usually be using with a regular toothbrush.

There are hundreds of brands making bamboo toothbrushes nowadays, but so far I’ve had the chance of trying out two: Brush with Bamboo, and Life UNpacked.

If I were to compare the two, the main differences are head size, bristle material, and packaging. The Brush with Bamboo has, in my opinion, an excessively large bristle area which, functionally, is not ideal. The Life UNpacked toothbrush has a much more reasonably-sized head. A bigger toothbrush head means a harder time fitting it at the back of the mouth to reach the molars, especially in smaller jaws. Plus, it also means extra non-compostable bristles that just aren’t necessary. This leads me to the next difference: bristle materials.

As mentioned, most toothbrushes bristles nowadays are made of nylon and other plastics. These bamboo toothbrushes are no exception. Life UNpacked bristles are made of nylon. The Brush with Bamboo version however, is the only one I’ve found with USDA certified biobased bristles. A USDA biobased certification is a lab-tested guarantee that the ingredients/materials are 95% pure so that you know what your product actually contains. Their bristles are made in Germany out of castor bean oil (which makes a nontoxic biobased plastic that has the potential of being composted in a commercial facility). Considering you put your toothbrush in your mouth every day, it’s good to use the least toxic material possible for the bristles. But remember, that the bristles still need to be cut off the handle before disposal since they won’t fully break down in your home compost. Brush with Bamboo is also FDA registered.

As for the packaging the items came in, the Life UNpacked one definitely seems more eco-friendly, with absolutely zero plastic (see photo, note that one toothbrush was removed from its box for show). The shipping box itself was cardboard and an appropriate size, containing only thin cardboard-packaged items (all recyclable). The Brush with Bamboo toothbrushes were wrapped in PLA sleeves within the cardboard boxes.

Floss

If you aren’t cleaning between your teeth, please start! A toothbrush cannot get the plaque bacteria between your teeth and below the gums. If you get discomfort or bleeding when brushing or flossing (or when having your teeth scaled by a hygienist), it’s because your gums are swollen from the bacterial irritation and need to be cleaned out more often (ideally daily). I’ll be discussing three different brands here with multiple options to get you on your merry flossing way. But first, here are pros and cons of low waste floss.

Pros: Don’t come in plastic containers (which are often wrapped in another layer of plastic too), but rather in endlessly refillable options, meaning you won’t be contributing to as much plastic waste. Some flosses are also compostable but it’s important to really look into what it’s made of to ensure this (more on that to follow).

Cons: Not all floss types works for all mouths, especially if you have tight teeth. You ideally want a good quality floss that isn’t a struggle to use so that you actually enjoy flossing and are motivated to do it regularly. That’s why your dental provider might have recommended specific floss for you.

Here are some reviews of brands I’ve been able to try out.

1. KMH Touches (Flosspot): This floss is available through stockists including many small shops and online retailers. I had the pleasure of having a lovely chat with the founder and CEO of Flosspot, Kathryn, about her products. There are two Flosspot varieties: the original silk floss, and a vegan corn fibre floss. Both claim to be fully home compostable and have USDA Biobased Certification (so you know that it actually contains what it says it does) as well as a Health Canada Medical Device Establishment License (because yes, floss is technically a medical device). This is the only low-waste floss brand I’ve found with these certifications. The floss comes in refillable jars that are packaged in recyclable cardboard with a PLA window and sealing stickers. When discussing with Kathryn, I learned that these PLA windows and sealing stickers are required from Health Canada for their license. The floss refills comes in a two-pack wrapped together in PLA inside a recyclable cardboard box with PLA sealing stickers.

Silk floss: Comes in a refillable glass jar. It is not vegan and has moderate ease of use (which is comparable to Johnson & Johnson floss).

Corn fibre floss: Comes in a refillable stainless steel jar. This one is more difficult to use with tight teeth which limits the amount of patients I would recommend it to. However, it is vegan. Note that the jars for the corn and silk varieties are different (both in material and sizes) because the refills are different lengths (40m for the silk and 50m for the corn), so they aren’t interchangeable. This means that if you’ve been using the silk floss jar and want to try out the corn refills, your refill won’t fit in the glass jar until you’ve used up some of it.

2. Life UNpacked: This brand also comes in two varieties, both of which are vegan and come in refillable glass jars. Their packaging for is 100% plastic-free. The floss jars come in recyclable cardboard boxes (as seen in the photo above in the bamboo toothbrush section of the post). Floss refills come in brown paper bags which are compostable and recyclable.They do not hold any certifications, so you can’t know for sure what the floss is made out of. The two varieties are:

Bamboo/polyester blend: Good for tight teeth, but not home compostable. However, it reduces your plastic by allowing you to endlessly refill your glass jar.

Corn fibre floss: Claims to be home compostable. Has more wax than the KMH corn floss and thus is easier to use even with tight teeth.

Floss alternatives

Regular string flossing can be a challenge, especially with dexterity issues. If you have an easier time using floss sticks, no problem! You too can have a more sustainable substitute without plastic. I managed to find a brand called Durapik. It’s a very new brand that just launched on Kickstarter, so I have not had the chance to try it out, but basically it is an endlessly reusable flossing stick made of recycled stainless steel. You still need string floss on hand to wrap around the stick (so you can still purchase one of the low waste options above or I believe Durapik will be selling a plastic-free bamboo floss), but without having to throw out a big chunk of plastic every time you floss. The Durapik also looks like it has a toothpick on one end and is dishwasher-safe. I’ll definitely be trying to learn more about this brand and their products as they grow.

Tongue scrapers

Plaque lives on your tongue too, often as a white layer. That is why your dental providers might have recommended that you clean your tongue as well. Some do it with a toothbrush, but it’s tricky to be precise with it, and most people find it too gag-inducing. There are some tongue cleaners/scrapers made of plastic on the market, including U-shaped strips and flat bristle brush types, but that means a lot of waste. Eventually the plastic gets moldy and needs to be thrown out.

Alternatively, metal tongue scrapers are available. I got mine locally at Generation Green and it is by the Bam Brush brand. It’s made of 100% copper (naturally antibacterial) and will likely last forever with proper care (I wipe it dry after use). It came packaged in a thin brown paper sleeve only (compostable and recyclable). You have to be careful when using any method to clean your tongue, because if you’re too rough you can damage the tongue papillae. But with careful, gentle strokes, using tongue scrapers are perfectly safe and make your mouth feel SO much cleaner! Fresher breath is always a plus. ;)

Toothpaste

This section could’ve been a blog post on its own to be honest. Chances are that you have seen “zero-waste toothpaste” marketed before. Tooth tabs, toothpaste powders, oil pulling, or online recipes for making your own homemade toothpaste.

“Oil pulling” with coconut oil on its own does not provide mechanical plaque removal however, so should not be relied upon as a toothbrushing substitute. It has limited research it terms of dental safety, but coconut oil does have evidence of being anti microbial against certain mouth bacteria. From a clinical aspect, I’ve had patients swear that it’s reduced the amount of tartar building they get between scaling appointments, others who say their mouths “feel cleaner,” and some who report increased sense of taste (which correlates with reduced bacteria on the tongue).

My recommendation to patients: if they find it helps, they may use it at their discretion, as an adjunct to their regular dental care routine of brushing, flossing (or other types of cleaning between the teeth), and good nutrition. If using and trying to reduce waste, try to find coconut oil in a glass jar with a metal lid.

Ok now back to toothpaste. Here’s the scoop: unfortunately, I have yet to find a low waste toothpaste that meets my approval as a dental professional. There, I said it.

All of the ones I’ve found currently on the market contain abrasive ingredients such as baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), which actually scratches the surface of your enamel! Over time, this thins the enamel (the outer, protective layer of tooth). I’ve had numerous patients who all of a sudden had tooth sensitivity to cold, etc when they first began using a baking soda-based toothpaste (including homemade, low waste or the Arm & Hammer brand). Other ingredients you might see in tooth tabs or toothpaste powders are calcium carbonate and sodium dioxide. These are often found in “regular” mainstream toothpastes, however we are dealing with chemistry here. These ingredients in regular toothpaste are also combined with lubricants (such as glycerin) along with fluoride. Lubricants in the toothpaste allow these abrasive particles to actually be less abrasive while still removing plaque and surface stain. The issue with tabs and powder is that it is completely dry, with only water and saliva mixed it. There is no research to show that water is lubricating enough to lessen their abrasiveness. There have also been multiple studies on toothpastes containing both these ingredients and fluoride versus toothpastes with these same abrasives minus the fluoride, which found that those containing fluoride were significantly less abrasive. This is because fluoride remineralizes the enamel after brushing, even if abrasive particles in the toothpaste may have removed a thin microscopic layer of enamel.

I also haven’t found any low waste toothpastes that are either USDA certified or approved by national dental associations (CDA in Canada, ADA in the US). Ingredients are important because your mouth tissues absorb whatever it touches. I know that commercial brands use harmful ingredients too, but it’s so hard to find a perfect balance. Fluoride is required in toothpaste for the reasons mentioned above and also because our nutrition nowadays is often much higher in carbs and sugar than our ancestors’, and cavity preventing ingredients like fluoride are key. You can find a list of ADA approved toothpastes here, including many “natural” brands that omit some of the more harmful ingredients that typical brands might use (and baking soda-based ones too -_-). None of the brands on this list are low waste brands unfortunately.

For all of these reasons, there still isn’t a low waste toothpaste I feel comfortable recommending as a dental professional.

So, what can you do to reduce your toothpaste waste then?? (No, it’s absolutely not reducing your brushing frequency, you still need to brush twice a day everyday, nice try though 😂😘) Here are a few tips:

• Have you noticed how much toothpaste you use on your brush? Full disclosure: toothpaste commercials A) never show proper brushing technique (please don’t scrub side to side!) and B) always show the person putting a huge glob of toothpaste on the toothbrush, even though you should only be using a green pea-sized amount (especially with kids, who are more likely to swallow it!) So my first tip is, don’t overuse toothpaste. You really don’t need that much for it to get the job done (see photo). This will mean your toothpaste tubes will last longer, reducing your plastic AND saving you money.

• My second toothpaste tip: buy the biggest tube possible. Buying a “bulk” size reduces plastic waste per volume and is the next best option to a low waste version.

• Buy from an environmentally-conscious brand (such as Green Beaver or Tom’s) to reduce your impact.

As a final overall tip, I urge you to demand change with your dollar. Make brands aware that packaging matters. Send emails when you notice brands using unnecessary packaging. Support brands that are making changes for the better. Ask a company why they don’t use PLA instead of petroleum-based plastic. Check with your municipality about the possibility of having industrial composting available to you (so that biobased plastics can actually get composted). If customers demand change, the companies will have no choice but to listen. There is still a lot of work to do when it comes to consumerism, and it starts with each of us.

If you have any further questions about dental care or the products mentioned above, please feel free to comment below or send me an Instagram DM or an email, linked in my contact page.

Here’s to having better oral health with a lower environmental impact, ♡

- Chanelle oxo

Sources:

https://m.all3dp.com/1/pla-plastic-material-polylactic-acid/

https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2016/02/18/fact-sheet-overview-usdas-biopreferred-program

http://www.jhrr.org/article.asp?issn=2394-2010;year=2019;volume=6;issue=1;spage=1;epage=4;aulast=Peedikayil

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4555792/#ref1

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3812787/

https://www.ada.org/en/science-research/ada-seal-of-acceptance/ada-seal-products/product-category?supercategory=Toothpastes