Every day, we have the chance to lessen our adverse effects on the environment. Everyone is making an effort to make the right decisions, as evidenced by the widespread use of blue recycling bins and products featuring reduced and biodegradable packaging. When it comes to our normal procedure for dental care, we frequently run into issues with maintaining a sustainable routine. It is nearly impossible to locate a brand of mouthwash that does not come in a sizeable bottle made of plastic, and floss and toothbrushes both come in plastic packaging. How are we supposed to make responsible decisions when we have all of these non-biodegradable options at our disposal? Hear it from one of the dentist near Allen, TX.
The Impact of Good Dental Hygiene on the Natural World
It is absolutely mind-boggling how much waste can be generated by simply adhering to the recommendations of the ADA (American Dental Association) regarding how we should care for our teeth. Even though maintaining good oral hygiene is essential to preventing gum disease and having healthy teeth, each step seems to add to the potential damage that our lack of good oral hygiene will cause to the environment. The plastic toothbrush, the container for the toothpaste, the container for the floss, the floss itself, and the bottle that our mouthwash comes in all contribute to waste. This is not taking into account the amount of water that is used while we are brushing our teeth! Take into consideration the following negative effects that using traditional products and practices has on the environment:
- Each year, over one billion toothbrushes contribute 50 million pounds of plastic waste that is discarded in landfills.
- It would be possible to fill an entire football stadium with plastic floss containers until they overflowed.
- Bottles of mouthwash that have not been recycled contribute tons of waste to the problem each year.
- The constant running of the water used up four gallons of fresh water for every brushing of the teeth.
- Traditional dental hygiene products not only waste gallons of water but also produce mountains of waste plastic that could take decades or even centuries to decompose. Waste in the dental care industry is undeniably a significant issue.
You can lessen your impact with just a few easy adjustments.
Research suggests that it may be possible to achieve better results when brushing your teeth by using your finger, your tongue, and a little bit of water to clean your teeth after each meal, in addition to brushing your teeth after each meal. There are options that are better for the environment when it comes to conventional dental care for patients who prefer more conventional approaches.
Bamboo toothbrushes are an excellent option that biodegrades rapidly, and refillable containers of floss made from mulberry floss are readily available to purchase. You can lessen the amount of waste you produce even further by turning off the faucet while you are brushing your teeth and caring for your teeth with a mouthwash that comes in tablet form.
It is not necessary for biodegradable products to be of lower quality; in fact, the ADA has given its blessing to a number of different alternatives. You should look for their seal and discuss your options for environmentally friendly dental care with your practitioner so that you can be sure the products are both safe and effective.