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?
