How to have a green dental regime?

By Sanjoli Arora

What is the first thing you do in the morning? Brush your teeth, of course. Or at least we hope so. It is also the time of random musings. So, let us add some thoughts to think about first thing in the morning.

Our dental regime, just like any other sphere of life, has seen a lot of changes over the years. A few decades ago, Indians were mainly known to supporting a natural oral routine involving neem sticks. You can still find some workers stick to this method.

As for us city-dwellers, we have replaced an all-natural practice with fancy new (often electronic) alternatives. Our toothpaste has become specialised in solving all issues from sensitivity to teeth whitening.

However, as I and hopefully you are thinking about the history of our dental care products while brushing, there is a lot to contemplate. Are these change in practices beneficial? Can they be causing more harm in the long run? Should we move back to our roots to meet somewhere in the middle?

This article hopefully provides some answers to the above-stated questions. We dissect each oral care product and give you a more green dental regime. Some alternatives suggested below may look the same, while others may have a different look and feel. Remember, change is the only constant. Plus, any change that results in a more sustainable future is worth diving in for.

1. Toothbrush

The first and foremost thing we grab onto every morning. Toothbrushes are particularly nasty beings. While they ensure to clean up every inch and corner of our mouth, they aren’t all that clean when it comes to their impact on the environment.

Toothbrushes are made of plastic. Plastic takes decades often centuries to break down. That means every toothbrush we have ever used is still out their somewhere and will outlive us long enough.

Thus, changing our toothbrush is a must. It is probably the easiest as well. Why so? Because the alternatives look, feel and taste (if you are into that) the same. Enter bamboo toothbrush- the greener, kinder answer to the plastic ones.

Why Bamboo? It lasts longer, breaks down after use since it is made from natural materials and thus reduces your carbon footprint. If you are sold on the idea, here are our top stores to shop from.

2. Toothpaste

The candy on top of our toothbrush is our toothpaste. The problem with our current toothpaste is that it has turned into a cosmetic product. Just like other cosmetic products, toothpaste now is more focussed on beauty aspects. Their essential requirement ensuring clean and bacteria-free mouth often take a secondary role.

Brands focus on taste, freshness and specific characteristics like whitening. Whitening toothpaste is particularly nasty since the additional chemicals harm not just our teeth but also our body in the long run. It is not all that effective against stains and can scratch off the enamel.

The solution? Finding greener, healthier alternatives. Dental tabs or powders are the right answer. They aren’t just practical but also environment friendly. The production of these products is safer for the environment. At the end of the cycle, they do not lead to generating tons of waste. So, instead of throwing away tubes of paste in the trash, opt differently. We bring you the top two suggestions to make the switch.

3. Tongue cleaner

The last thing as a part of your morning oral regime in the tongue cleaner. Yet another culprit of causing plastic waste, tongue cleaners need a green switch. Fortunately, the answer is choosing the right material. You won’t have to go too far for the same. Here are our top contenders.

As for how to use tongue cleaners correctly to get rid of bad breath, we suggest you get your answers from the experts. Sharing a link on the same by Medical News Today (click here).

The alternatives shared above may be slightly expensive compared to your everyday purchases, but remember they do not come at a hefty price to the planet. We suggest you start one product at a time and encourage your family members too to make the switch. This will make the change easier and ensure a more sustainable family. We hope this article got you a lot closer to having a green dental regime.

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Feature image contains bamboo brush by Big Blue Marble, tooth powder by Pareevartan and bamboo tongue cleaner by For Earth’s Sake.

Sanjoli is currently working as a Content Strategist and has a Master’s degree in Fashion Journalism. She has contributed to publications like MensXP, Mindless Mag and Sustain: The Mag in the past. Conscious Charcha is her way of learning more about sustainability and spreading the word about a sustainable lifestyle.