Let’s talk sustainable dental care! When it comes to making sustainable choices, dental care can feel a bit tricky. It’s part-medical, part-cosmetic, and most products are plastic-laden. I’ve tried out all sorts of different eco-friendly dental options in my time – from a humble miswak stick, to toothpaste tablets – and I finally feel confident in my dental care routine, with thanks to Georganics. This guide will take you through my usual routine, my favourite products, and a few tips I’ve learned along the way.
Why Eco-Friendly Dental Care?
If you’re interested in living more sustainably or avoiding plastic, this guide is for you. Most disposable toothbrushes are made with plastic. Toothpaste, mouthwash, and floss also tend to come in plastic packaging. Eco-friendly dental care provides a more planet-friendly option. As with all my reviews, I look for a balance of product efficacy, and improved environmental impact. It’s why I’m pleased to be partnering with Georganics for this guide. Their products not only come in sustainable packaging, they’re also effective, and made sustainably too.
Why Georganics?
Georganics is a long-standing eco-friendly dental care brand. It was created in response to the modern-day oral care market, which uses lots of plastic and creates a lot of waste. The business has four aims:
- Minimise waste across all forms of oral care products,
- Create natural and effective oral care products,
- Promote awareness and encourage daily habit evolution,
- Protect and respect our planet.
I’ve been using Georganics toothpaste for years, and I really trust the brand as they’re cruelty-free and vegan certified. Their factory is based in Sussex, UK, meaning many of their products are made in the UK. I actually met some of the team a few years ago while working in Brighton! Over time, Georganics has expanded into other areas of dental care, and I’m delighted to be using more of their products in my bathroom every morning and evening.
My Sustainable Dental Care Routine
Here’s a run down of my dental care routine from morning until night. I’ve recently added in chewing gum after lunch – a recommendation by my brother, who’s a newly qualified dentist – and interdental sticks when needed too.
1. Start With Plastic-Free Dental Floss
Did you know you should floss before brushing your teeth? Turns out I’ve been doing it wrong for years! As the first step in my routine, I’ll now reach for the floss. Georganics is the first brand I’ve come across that offers plastic-free dental floss, instead using peace silk, and infusing it with peppermint essential oil. This floss is minty and gives me such a nice clean feeling!
As far as packaging goes, this too is plastic-free. Instead of a little plastic case, it comes in a sturdy glass jar with metal lid and dispenser. Both of these are recyclable, and the jar itself is refillable.
2. Brush Teeth For 2 Minutes
Next, brush your teeth. I normally use an electric toothbrush, which will automatically buzz when I reach two minutes of cleaning. (When I’m travelling, I like to take my trusty Georganics beechwood toothbrush, with BPA-free nylon bristles and FSC-certified wooden handle.)
The real star of the show here is Georganics’ new toothpaste with hydroxapatite, which provides additional dental benefits. I’ve discussed the pro’s and con’s of fluoride toothpaste previously, and this paste adds additional cavity-fighting benefits thanks to the addition of hyroxapatite. This new formula not only protects teeth, but it also deeply remineralises enamel and strengthens teeth.
As with all Georganics’ toothpastes, it is COSMOS- certified, vegan, and cruelty-free.
3. Scrape Your Tongue
Before finishing at the sink, I like to scrape my tongue with my beechwood tongue scraper. This offers better cleaning than a toothbrush, and helps keep breath fresh too.
Just like Georganic’s toothbrushes, this scraper uses BPA-free nylon bristles and has an FSC-certified handle made from beechwood. It also comes in minimal cardboard packaging which I love.
To compost this at home, you need to pluck out the bristles first.
4. Chew Plastic-Free Gum
During the day, I like to chew gum. This seems somewhat unsustainable, seeing as most chewing gum is made from plastic. However, Georganics offers a novel plastic-free chewing gum, in a fresh English Peppermint flavour!
This has quickly become a handbag essential for me. I’ll chew gum after a cup of coffee, after lunch, and on my way to yoga (I like to have fresh breath when working out!)
I especially like sturdy glass jar, and the fact you can buy refills too.
5. Use Wooden Interdental Brushes
At night, I’ll start with interdental brushes. I like to make sure any food and excess plaque is removed before I repeat steps one to three. This is especially necessary after a trip to the cinema – popcorn is a nightmare!
These beechwood interdental brushes are my top choice for an eco-friendly option. They’re ultra-fine, which I need for my teeth, and can quickly be pulled apart for correct disposal. They also come in a small reusable cardboard case, which is great for travel.
A Final Note On Sustainable Dental Care
Making eco-friendly changes doesn’t have to be difficult, and I hope my dental care routine shows how easy it is to switch out plastic-based dental products. I really like the range that Georganics offers: products are effective, sustainably-made, and can be disposed of in a sustainable way too. They also offer additional products, such as mouthwash, electric toothbrushes, and even a kids’ range.
If you’re just getting started with more sustainable oral care, I would recommend investing in the toothpaste with hydroxapatite first. Not only is this toothpaste as effective as mainstream ones, I feel it leaves my mouth feeling fresher than ever, and comes in fully recyclable packaging.
Have you made the switch to eco-friendly dental products yet?
Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Georganics and contains affiliate links. All views and opinions expressed remain my own.