I’ve been a long-time advocate for environmentally friendly products, but I never thought about my toothpaste having an impact on the environment until recently. The truth is, there are many benefits to switching to environmentally friendly toothpaste. Here’s why:
The Problem with Regular Toothpaste
If you’ve never thought about the environment when brushing your teeth, it’s time to start. The problem with regular toothpaste is that it contains harmful ingredients. This includes SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate), fluoride, and parabens. All of which can be harmful to both your health and the environment. These chemicals may pose a potential risk for those with sensitive skin or allergies. They contribute to an increase in pollution levels due to manufacturing processes and can even hurt animals through runoff contamination.
Even though these products are not yet regulated by the FDA, there are many alternatives available now. These won’t put your health at risk. These alternatives still provide adequate protection against bad breath and cavities!
Harmful Ingredients of Regular Toothpaste
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Fluoride
- Artificial Colors and Sweeteners
- Hydrogen Peroxide and Propylene Glycol
- Triclosan
- Parabens
6 Benefits Of Environmentally Friendly Toothpaste
It can help preserve the environment.
While you might not think twice about the toothpaste you use, it can have a lasting impact on the environment. Your choice of toothpaste can help preserve the environment in many ways.
Reduce the use of plastic: Most conventional brands come with a tube or container that is made from plastic. This means more waste ends up in landfills and will take hundreds of years to decompose.
It contains healthy sweeteners.
Sugar alcohols like xylitol are safe alternatives to common sweeteners like sucrose, but they are not calorie-free. Xylitol can help keep blood sugar levels stable and may reduce the risk of developing diabetes. It’s also a natural sweetener that can help prevent cavities by killing bacteria that causes tooth decay.
It reduces your risk of cavities and gum disease.
Toothpaste containing fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by strengthening enamel, but some alternatives don’t contain this ingredient. For example, Tom’s of Maine Natural Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste is free of parabens and triclosan so it’s safer for your mouth and the environment. It also contains a natural botanical extract called xylitol to help keep teeth free from plaque buildup and gum disease.
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), regular brushing with fluoridated toothpaste can help prevent gingivitis, or inflamed gums, which is one of many signs that you may have periodontal disease (the other being redness in your gums). If you experience any redness in your mouth or bleeding when flossing or brushing, let your dentist know.
It typically contains anti-inflammatory ingredients.
An important thing to keep in mind is that your toothpaste may contain ingredients that help reduce inflammation and pain. Antibacterial fluoride gels and toothpaste are the most common types of toothpaste that can help with this. Since they contain anti-inflammatory agents like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), which helps prevent infection by killing bacteria on the surface of your teeth.
Also, there are two other types of chemicals present in some kinds of toothpaste called triclosan and stannous fluoride. Triclosan has been shown to have an anti-inflammatory effect on gums when applied topically through brushing. However, some people have experienced contact dermatitis from using products containing this ingredient.
It lessens your carbon footprint
Your toothpaste is made with environmentally safe ingredients so it won’t pollute the air or water during manufacturing or shipping. This is especially true if you use biodegradable soap nuts or plant-based ingredients like peppermint extract and xylitol. If everyone switched to environmentally friendly toothpaste, we could prevent nearly 10 million tons of CO2 emissions each year.
It’s more economical in the long run
For starters, environmentally friendly toothpaste is cheaper than regular toothpaste. The packaging is smaller and the tube lasts longer. It’s a little bit like buying a car that gets better gas mileage. You might save money overall because of the lower price per gallon of gas.
Furthermore, an eco-friendly toothpaste tube will last longer thanks to its smaller size and more compact design. This means that less product is wasted during the application, which can lead to further savings down the line!
9 Environmentally Friendly Toothpaste To Try
Tom’s of Maine
Tom’s of Maine Botanically Bright Toothpaste is a fluoride-free and vegan toothpaste that contains baking soda, peroxide, xylitol, and natural ingredients like peppermint oil to fight plaque and reduce tartar. It also has no animal ingredients or artificial flavours or colours.
It’s one of the first brands to sell an all-natural toothpaste that includes fluoride (which protects against cavities). The company uses this formula for its other product lines too.
Burt’s Bees
Made with xylitol and essential oils, Burt’s Bees Purely White Toothpaste has been shown to reduce tooth sensitivity and help whiten teeth by removing surface stains. The product also contains calcium carbonate, silica, and peppermint oil. All of these are derived from natural sources like plants or minerals.
The brand says it uses no artificial flavours or preservatives in its toothpaste. The company’s website notes that some ingredients used will vary by product. However, they all fall within the guidelines outlined in the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
WELdental
WELdental Chew Toothpaste Tablets are made from natural ingredients and are vegan, gluten-free, and Kosher. The tablets are also compostable for a minimal carbon footprint. Each tablet contains no artificial colours or flavours, making them a safe alternative to standard toothpaste.
This brand is another one that’s been around for a while but still does not have any reviews on Amazon yet. So it’s hard to tell if they’re worth the price tag. Still, if you’re looking for something more natural than your average toothpaste and don’t mind paying a little more for oral hygiene. This may be the product for you!
SuperBee
SuperBee Dentos Toothpaste Tablets are 100% biodegradable and made from all-natural ingredients. They contain no fluoride, artificial colours, or preservatives. The main ingredients of these toothpaste tablets are xylitol (a natural sweetener) and baking soda. Each pack comes with 3 tablets that you can use to brush your teeth with!
Pure Earth Essentials
With a name like Pure Earth Essentials, you can be sure that their toothpaste is made from all-natural ingredients. Pure Earth Essentials Zero Waste Toothpaste Tablets are fluoride-free and contain no artificial colours or flavours. It’s also cruelty-free and vegan and made in the USA—all important aspects of an environmentally friendly product. They also don’t test on animals!
Himalaya Botanique
Himalaya Botanique Toothpaste is made with natural ingredients and is free of animal testing. It has no fluoride, artificial colours, flavours, or preservatives; it does not contain parabens. The company also claims the product contains aloe vera and fennel extracts that provide “the goodness of nature to your mouth.”
Kaylaan
The Kaylaan Toothpaste Tablets are a great option for those who want to keep their teeth clean and healthy but don’t want to sacrifice the environment to do so. These tablets are vegan, gluten-free, cruelty-free, and made with natural ingredients. They also feature no artificial colours or flavours in addition to being free of animal testing.
They’re even more environmentally friendly because they don’t contain parabens, sulfates, or phthalates. These chemicals have been linked to health problems such as endocrine disruption and cancer.
The tablets come in three different flavours: minty freshness (mint), sophisticated chic (vanilla), and sugary sweet (strawberry). Each packet contains 10 tablets that last a month when taken at recommended dosage level of two tablets per day.
GloBoid
If you have sensitive teeth, GloBoid Toothpaste Tablets are a great option. They’re made of clay and baking soda. This helps to whiten and clean your teeth while also protecting them from the effects of acid erosion. If you have sensitive gums, this product is also good for you because it has no abrasive ingredients that might irritate you. If you don’t like the taste of mint or fluoride toothpaste, this may be the perfect choice for you!
Unpaste
Unpaste Tooth Tablets are made from all-natural ingredients, and no animal testing is involved. They’re also 100% vegan, with no artificial colours or flavours. Unpaste doesn’t contain fluoride, preservatives like sorbitol or saccharin, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), or any other harsh chemicals that could harm your teeth or the environment.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are a lot of benefits to using environmentally friendly toothpaste. It’s better for the environment, contains healthy ingredients, and is less harmful. It also keeps your teeth clean and healthy. All of these things add up to make it worth choosing this type of product over traditional brands. We hope that after reading this article you feel more confident about making that decision yourself!
Transform your oral health products into green by switching to these eco-friendly and sustainable electric toothbrushes too.