We brush our teeth several times a day . Changing the products we use in this daily routine to make it a zero-waste habit is a huge benefit to the planet .

It's easy to achieve a zero-waste bathroom . I'd say hygiene is the easiest area to reduce waste, eliminating plastics and toxins. But let's start with oral hygiene. A small area for which there are all kinds of solutions. You can achieve complete zero-waste oral hygiene . In this post, we're not just going to talk about brushing your teeth. We're also going to talk about mouthwashes, whitening products, and dental floss.

TOOTHBRUSHES

One of the first steps a person takes when starting a zero-waste lifestyle is to switch from conventional toothbrushes to those with wooden handles, usually bamboo, which also has antibacterial properties, which is a great benefit when talking about an oral hygiene product that will be frequently wet.

At first, it may take a little getting used to this type of brush. The texture is very different, and some people even tell us it left their teeth on edge at first. If that happens to you, we suggest you hold off for a bit, as the mouth is a very sensitive area. Make this change gradually , combining your conventional plastic brush with the new wooden one, until the plastic one disappears completely.

 Brushes should be replaced every three months , so changing the materials they're made of is important to reduce our waste. A bamboo or beech brush , like the ones we have at Alma Eko, is compostable . When it's finished, simply remove the bristles with pliers, and you can throw the handle into your compost bin , if you have one, or into your local organic waste bin. 

Another option is to use it as fuel . It can help light a fireplace or barbecue. Another alternative use for toothbrushes that are no longer used for that purpose is to give them a second life by using them to clean joints, window sills, or electrical outlets, for example.

TOOTHPASTE AND WHITENING

Did you know that conventional toothpaste tubes can't be recycled? Toothpaste residue always remains inside, and recycling plants discard it. They end up in landfills, incinerated, in the water...

At Alma Eko, you'll find a wide range of toothpastes , so you can choose the one that best suits you. They come in glass or cardboard packaging . They come in paste, bar, or tablet form . They come in different flavors (including orange, the most suitable for children). And they come with and without fluoride . This is a delicate subject… There's no consensus in the scientific community on whether toothpastes should contain fluoride or not, but we have an article in which we've compiled informative information for and against this element, so you can clarify concepts and make an informed decision.

The process of adapting to natural toothpastes can also take some time . Have you tried them? Are you having trouble getting used to them? Have you given up after trying them? It could happen, we're not saying it won't, but before you start or rule them out completely, we'll give you a few tips.

There are two things that mean the most change:

• The taste

Natural toothpastes are generally not as sweet as conventional ones. Many contain baking soda, which makes them even salty. It can be a big change, we know. It's just a matter of getting used to it. So, we suggest two solutions:

1. Start with Ben&Anna's White Natural Mint and Sage Toothpaste, which we stock at Alma Eko. It has a very mild flavor. You can also try Hydrophil's Sage Toothpaste Tablets with Fluoride , which also has a mild and sweet flavor. The Orange may be an option for you, although it is the one we usually recommend for children.

2. Don't combine it with conventional toothpastes . Contrary to what we recommended with toothbrushes, in this case we encourage you to radically switch to the sustainable option. If you combine them, the adaptation process will be longer.

• They generate less foam

This isn't a problem at all . They don't clean less because of it. In general, this is one of the biggest challenges in adapting to sustainable products because they tend to be less foamy.

In the specific case of natural toothpastes, they don't contain sulfates , an ingredient that can be harmful to our health. So, it's really important to give yourself the opportunity to make this change.

To make the adaptation process more bearable, we suggest thesolid stick options for Alma Eko toothpastes, as they foam the most and do not contain sulfates.

In our online store, we have toothpastes that also have a whitening effect. But if you're looking for a specific product that offers deeper whitening, you can opt for our powder options .

MOUTHWASHES

There is no specific recommendation regarding the frequency of mouthwash use , as the flora of each person's mucous membranes greatly depends on them. Therefore, we recommend consulting with your trusted professional to find out what is best for you.

The rinses They allow us to perform a deeper cleaning of our mouths and are a great solution for ailments such as mouth ulcers or gingivitis. In these cases, frequent use will help improve the condition. However, if you don't have these types of problems, using them 3 or 4 times a week may be enough. We recommend doing this after your last brushing session of the day.

 

At Alma Eko, we offer liquid mouthwashes , packaged in metal bottles, or in solid form, in tablets that dissolve in water and come packaged in glass.

DENTAL FLOSS

Finally, to complete a deep oral cleaning, we'd like to talk about dental floss . And yes, you can also find this plastic-free and vegan product at Alma Eko. Our flossers are made with cornstarch, vegetable wax, and essential oils. They're biodegradable and compostable .

These are 50-meter balls of yarn presented in a glass jar with a metal dispenser cap, allowing for easy cutting. We also offer refills so you can reuse the glass container and generate less waste and polluting gases during distribution.

We have three different varieties:

• Spearmint : with a pleasant and fresh flavor.
• Orange : Its soft and sweet flavor makes it suitable for boys and girls.
• Mint : which also contains activated charcoal, with powerful anti-stain action.

Did you know you have so many options for achieving plastic-free and toxin-free oral hygiene? Don't hesitate. Feel free to ask us anything. We'll be happy to help.