Source Toothbrush shown above

Green your toothbrush:

When it comes to toothbrushes, plenty end up in the landfill. Right now there are about 306,856,031 people in the U.S. alone. Since most experts advise changing your toothbrush every 3-4 months, not to mention after an illness, that’s an astounding number of brushes used, most of which are plastic. Some better choices for an eco-friendly toothbrush include…

Preserve toothbrushes: The handle is made from 100% recycled plastic and when it’s time for a new toothbrush you can send the toothbrush and case back to Preserve using their postage-paid label and your old toothbrush will be re-processed into plastic lumber for picnic tables, boardwalks and decks. Preserve also makes BPA-free recycled toothbrushes for kids.

Source Toothbrush from Radius: Made with 93% recycled material and 47% renewable resource material. Handles are molded from recycled US dollar bills/recycled flax and recycled wood all blended with recycled polypropylene resulting in a bio-plastic that is 100% renewable or recycled. The head can be changed so you can keep the handle forever.

Acca Kappa Bioceta Toothbrush: Made with biodegradable resin, non-toxic, natural bristles.

Monte Bianco: Resource-efficient toothbrushes (read more at Treehugger)

Green your mouthwash:

Making your own mouthwash is a good eco-option. It cuts down on chemicals and packaging issues. Learn to make your own mouthwash. Note homemade mouthwash won’t have fluoride – the fluoride debate is discussed in the last post.

Read an in-depth piece about natural mouthwash, along with brands to try.

Green your dental floss:

Most dental floss is not biodegradable. You can use a longer lasting water or non-water pick, or choose a more eco-friendly floss.

• Cranberry Floss
• Tom’s of Maine floss
• Smart floss

Green your dentist:

Some dentists have recently gone green. More likely will soon now that the Eco-Dentistry Association has launched. Click the previous link to learn about how you can find a green dentist, how you can get your dentist to go green, and learn about tips for greener teeth care.

First a fluoride health note:

Because homemade toothpaste or homemade mouthwash won’t have fluoride, you should choose either a homemade paste or rinse but not both so you get your fluoride. OR you can try fluoride drops. Too much fluoride can cause fluoride toxicity or enamel fluorosis in people but too little can be bad for your teeth. Whether or not fluoride is too toxic or even healthy for people is a personal issue for folks that we won’t get into here, but you can read more about this cons of fluoride side of the debate at the Fluoride Action Network. For pros visit the ADA.

Clean & Gentle Care SLS-Free Anticavity plus Dry Mouth Soother Fluoride Toothpaste

Greener toothpaste:

The greenest toothpaste is homemade. You don’t waste as much packaging or hard to squeeze out product, plus it costs less. Learn to make homemade toothpaste.

Most toothpaste comes in tubes or pumps. If you’re going to buy store bought toothpaste your best bet is to purchase the largest tube possible in a non-toxic brand and from an ethical company. THEN recycle the tube when you’re done.

Greener brands of toothpaste:

Toms of Maine: Made with less toxic ingredients, comes in many good flavors, and comes in 100% aluminum tubes (not plastic) that are recyclable in most communities. Toms is also an ethical company with green policies in place. NOTE: while Toms is run a little differently they are currently owned (85%) by Colgate Palmolive, so if that fact bothers you, you’ll need to find another brand. Personally I do still sometimes get Toms of Maine orange toothpaste (I hate mint).

Jason: Many natural flavors available and no animal testing.

Herbal Choice: Various organic gel flavors, not tested on animals, and 100% recyclable packaging.

See Grist’s review of six eco-friendly toothpastes.