Eco Friendly Dental Care from Ordo: Mouthwash Concentrate & Complete Care Toothpaste review

 

Looking to reduce the plastic waste in your bathroom? Make a start with the products that you use every day such as your dental care, and you'll be on your way to a more sustainable lifestyle in no time at all! Brands such as Ordo make it easy with their recyclable toothpaste tubes and reusable mouthwash bottles.

With Greenpeace's latest plastic waste campaign hitting social media this past month, the reality of our carbon footprint on the planet is difficult to bear at the best of times, so I always suggest that people start by making small steps by cutting down on the plastic that they use every day. Dental care is something that most of us undertake every morning and night which makes it a great place to start.

I'll be honest here; I've tried a lot of zero waste solid dental toothtabs and mouthwash tablets, and I've yet to find one that I would permanently make a switch to, so if you're in the same situation, I'd suggest choosing products that have recyclable and reusable elements to help cut down on your plastic waste.

The Recyclable Toothpaste

Toothpaste tubes are a massive problem for the environment as most that are manufactured cannot be recycled, and when you think about the millions of toothpaste tubes that are used in just the UK alone, it makes sense to find an alternative option. 

Ordo's Complete Care Toothpaste* (80ml, £4.50, link) is made from fully recyclable HDPE instead, so it can be disposed of in your everyday plastic recycling bin. It's also a great toothpaste which is SLS-free, vegan, cruelty-free and suitable for sensitive teeth. Recommended by dentists, it'll help to strengthen tooth enamel and keep your smile looking whiter.

The Refillable Mouthwash: Ordo Mouthwash Concentrate & Reusable Mouthwash Bottle

Refill bottles make a big difference and are easy to make a swap to, which is why I love this handy duo from Ordo. Their Mouthwash Concentrate* (80ml, £6, link) is an affordable switch as the concentrated formula dilutes to make four bottles of mouthwash so it's a big win for your wallet and the environment. Formulated by dentists, the cruelty-free, vegan-friendly mouthwash concentrate is alcohol-free and helps to reduce plaque buildup and prevent cavities, as well as freshening your breath with its Cool Mint flavour.

To use, just add 20ml to the Ordo Resuable Mouthwash Bottle* (£7.50, link) and there's a handy line on the bottle to show you exactly how much to put in, and top up the rest with water. That's it! You can then just use it as you would any other mouthwash. Don't want to buy an extra bottle? No worries, simply add it to a bottle of your own with 330ml of water for the same result.

Shop the full range at ordolife.com

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Worth The Hype: Do You Need A Sustainable Waken Mouthwash In Your Daily Routine? Apple & Mint review

 

The consumer quest for more sustainable and eco-friendly everyday products is never-ending, and today I wanted to share a quick post about Waken Mouthwash as they have been popping up in my social feeds a lot lately. Are they worth the hype?

It may seem odd to be reading (or in my case, writing) an entire blog post about just one particular mouthwash, yet Waken has been causing quite the stir online since they launched here in the UK two years ago. 

A celebrity favourite, Waken has a luxury range of sustainable products which include mouthwash, toothpaste, lip balms, and associated eco-friendly accessories. The brand is the brainchild of Simon Duffy (founder of the famous Bulldog skincare company) and promises gentle and effective everyday products that also tread lightly on our planet earth.

But is Waken worth the hype? I tried out one of their 'hero' products, the Apple & Mint Mouthwash to find out.

Packaging

For an eco-friendly brand, you might be wondering why their signature mouthwashes are packaged in plastic, right? Well, this is a pretty interesting discussion point because Waken's mouthwashes were originally packaged in aluminum bottles before the brand decided to make the switch to plastic last year. 

It may sound like a backwards move, yet the switch to these new plastic, BPA-free bottles has actually helped to certify the brand as Carbon Neutral due to the aluminum packaging requiring a lot of external packaging during transit to prevent denting. The change to plastic has also helped to bring the price point of these luxury mouthwashes down from a hideously expensive £8, to a much more reasonable £4.50. In addition, this new PCR plastic is made from a blend of recycled old plastic milk bottles and sugar cane plastic which is better for the environment, and the end product is fully recyclable again. 

Waken has kept the aluminum lid as it is though as plastic tops are notoriously difficult to recycle due to their smaller size.

Ingredients

Waken's mouthwashes are formulated alcohol-free so they don't have that nasty stinging burn that a lot of mainstream mouthwashes possess, and they are cruelty-free and vegan-friendly. The ingredients are mostly natural with the exception of PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil (a synthetic emulsifier/surfactant) and Sodium Fluoride. I know that the Sodium Fluoride debate continues to divide people, yet from my own research I personally don't have a problem using it and I often look for it in more natural dental care products as I believe it's useful to keep teeth strong and healthy. Overall, this is not a 100% natural mouthwash, nor does it market itself as one, so it's worth bearing in mind that the 'sustainable' aspect here is purely focused on the packaging.

Flavour & Performance

There are nine different mint-based flavours to explore in Waken's mouthwash range and the one that caught my eye the most was the Apple & Mint. The flavouring is crafted from natural ingredients and it really does have a refreshing zing to it! I was pleasantly surprised and absolutely love waking up with this in the morning. My mouth feels wonderfully fresh and clean which is exactly what I want a mouthwash to do.

Overall Thoughts

Whilst Waken's mouthwashes are not as natural as many would expect, for those looking for a refreshing mouthwash that works well, comes sustainably packaged, is cruelty-free and vegan, and looks very fancy sitting by your bathroom sink, you'll love it. But if you're after a purely natural and fluoride-free option, this isn't for you.

Waken mouthwashes (£4.50, 500ml) are available from various stockists and online via wakencare.com

Have you tried anything from Waken?

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Health & Lifestyle: Creating A Plastic-Free Dental / Oral Hygiene Routine

With routine dental appointments now cancelled until further notice in the UK due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it's become more important than ever to establish a good daily dental routine at home to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Here are some of the best natural dental products on the market that will also help you to go plastic-free with your routine at the same time!

One Small Step - Swap Your Plastic Toothbrush for a Bamboo One

If you only make one change, make sure it's this one - simply swap your plastic toothbrush for a bamboo one - super easy! Plastic toothbrushes are a major contributor to the growing pollution that's clogging up our oceans with over 3.6 billion of them thrown away worldwide; that's an enormous amount. Luckily, bamboo toothbrushes offer a biodegradable and sustainable alternative to this problem so when it comes to replacing your current toothbrush, why not make the switch? Woobamboo has bamboo toothbrushes for the whole family with prices from £4.49 (link).

No More Plastic Packaging - Buy Your Dental Floss In Refillable Glass

All dentists recommend flossing at least once a day as part of a good oral hygiene routine, but did you know that most plastic containers of dental floss are not made from recyclable materials? Many are simply thrown away with the usual bathroom waste, but you can now purchase your dental floss in glass thanks to Organically Epic. Their vegan-friendly dental floss is infused with Charcoal to remove stains and it has a refreshing peppermint flavour. You can also purchase refills to reduce packaging waste further and one pack will last around 3 months (£5.25, link). 

Bye Bye Plastic Interdental Brushes - Swap To Sustainable Bamboo Instead

I've been looking for a sustainable alternative to plastic interdental brushes for a long time and I was beyond happy to finally come across this nifty assorted pack from Woobamboo. Featuring a mix of interdental brush sizes, these are made from 97.6% biodegradable material including eco-friendly bamboo, so this is another easy swap to make (12 pack, £6.99, link). 

The New Natural Plastic-Free Toothpastes

Plastic-free toothpastes have been popping up on my beauty radar for a while now and a growing number of natural brands are bringing them to the market. I've tried several of them from various brands in a range of formats such as powders, solid bars and jars of pastes, and I have to admit that the latter has worked the best for me. I've been enjoying using the Sensitive Natural Toothpaste from Ben & Anna since my last plastic tube ran out and it has a lovely refreshing flavour, with a gentle but protective formula that's been specially created for sensitive teeth (100ml, £8.95, link).

A Glass Alternative To Plastic Mouthwash Bottles

Also from Ben & Anna, I discovered the matching Sensitive Natural Mouthwash which utilises natural ingredients such as Sea Buckthorn, Aloe Vera and Sage to disinfect, soothe and protect your whole mouth. The glass bottle definitely adds an extra touch of luxury to my bathroom sink! (500ml, £10.95, link).

Introduce A Stainless Steel Tongue Cleaner 

For the most optimum oral hygiene, the practice of using a Tongue Cleaner has been popular in Ayurveda and natural health circles for thousands of years, yet I've only recently started to see more and more people in the West embrace them. This stainless steel option from Organically Epic helps to get rid of bacteria and dead cells that build up on your tongue, which in turn improves your sense of taste and banishes bad breath at the same time. With a lifetime guarantee, it's hygienic and easy to clean, whilst this handy 2-pack is perfect for you and your partner/family member (£6.15, link).  

Time On Your Hands? Try Oil-Pulling

Oil-Pulling is another long-standing Ayurvedic tradition which has become popular in the last couple of years and if you find yourself with lots of time on your hands in the mornings now, why not give it a try?! The general concept is based on Coconut Oil's prized natural antibacterial properties which help to draw out any build-up of toxins and pathogens, leaving your whole mouth cleaner than it's ever been before. It's also known to naturally whiten your teeth as an added bonus! 

To take part, simply add a teaspoon full of Coconut Oil to your mouth and move it around with your tongue, making sure to push it between the teeth - do not swallow it! Swish it around for 15-20 minutes and then spit it out into the bathroom bin (never spit it into the sink as the oil will solidify and cause blocked pipes!). It takes some time to get used to but I find it oddly satisfying! Using an organic, raw, cold-pressed Coconut Oil such as this one from Kiki Health will help you to reap all the benefits (500ml, £13.95, link).

Have you switched to any plastic-free alternatives recently?

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Health & Lifestyle: Cocobaci 15 Day Oil Pulling Programme review

Based on an ancient Ayurvedic method for promoting and maintaining good oral health, Oil Pulling has been a growing wellness trend in the West now for the past couple of years, so it's no surprise to see more brands bringing out their own kits that are focused on this healthy technique. One such brand is Cocobaci and I've been putting their 15 Day Oil Pulling Programme to the test.

What exactly is Oil Pulling?

Oil Pulling is based on the Ayurvedic tradition of using an oil (most commonly Sesame or Coconut Oil) to 'pull' out toxins and pathogens as the oil binds to these, making them easier to remove from the mouth and body, thus leaving your mouth, teeth and gums cleaner overall.

What are the benefits of Oil Pulling?

Whilst more scientific studies are needed, Oil Pulling has grown in popularity as people claim it helps to naturally whiten teeth, lessen the sensitivity of teeth and gums, removes plaque and bacteria, combats bad breath, prevents cavities, reduces inflammation and helps to keep the mouth free from harmful bacteria after oral surgeries which reduces the risk of infections. My NHS dentist recommended it when I had a wisdom tooth removed a few years ago, and I've been doing Oil Pulling on and off ever since.

Tried & Tested: Cocobaci 15 Day Oil Pulling Programme

For many in the West, the allure of naturally whiter teeth is what attracts them the most to Oil Pulling in the first place but the oral health benefits are not to be missed! If you've never tried Oil Pulling before, Cocobaci's 15 Day Oil Pulling Programme contains 15 single-use packets for ultra convenience so that you can easily add it to your morning routine with minimal fuss. It's available in a range of different flavours which each have their own unique benefits, and I opted to try out the Cool Mint kit.

What's In It?

Each sachet of Cocobaci Cool Mint contains a simple blend of natural and certified organic ingredients; Organic Virgin Coconut Oil, Organic Peppermint, Organic Spearmint and Organic Oak Bud Extract.

How Do I Use it?

Before brushing your teeth, tear open one sachet and squeeze the contents into your mouth. Depending on how cold your bathroom is, you may find that the oil is solid but don't worry, it will soon melt in your mouth as it adapts to your body temperature. Swirl the oil mixture thoroughly for 5-15 minutes, pushing it through and around the teeth and gums to make sure that every single area gets a good 'pull'. Be careful not to swallow and once you're done, spit it out into a bin and never into your sink or shower as the oil will solidify and clog up your drains.

Overall Thoughts?

If you're new to Oil-Pulling, you may find it really strange to be swirling oil around your mouth and I'd recommend starting off with 5 minutes first and then working your way up to 15 minutes (and longer if you have the time). The Cocobaci Cool Mint has a lovely refreshing flavour and it left my mouth feeling much cleaner than when I'd just used Coconut Oil on its own. I stuck with the programme for the full 15 days and afterwards, I did see a small, subtle change in the whiteness of my teeth, noticing that mostly tea and coffee stains had been removed - yes! The biggest difference for me personally was in my overall oral health, as both my teeth and gums felt stronger and less sensitive which is always a big bonus for me as I often struggle with sensitive teeth. It's certainly something that I would be happy to continue doing on a regular basis!

Cocobaci 15 Day Oil Pulling Programme in Cool Mint* (15 x 8ml sachets, £19.50) is available from makeupbox-ldn.co.uk

Have you tried Oil Pulling?

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Tried & Tested: Beverly Hills Formula Perfect White Black Toothpaste & Mouthwash review

On my quest for a set of pearly whites, I've been testing out this new Perfect White Black duo from Beverly Hills Formula which contains activated charcoal to help whiten your teeth.

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