We brush our teeth several times a day . Changing the products we use in this daily act to make it a 'zero waste' habit is a great benefit for the planet .

It's easy to achieve a 'zero waste' bathroom . I would say that hygiene is the area in which it is easiest to reduce waste, eliminate 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 are not only going to talk about brushing your teeth. We are also going to talk about mouthwashes, whiteners 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 made of bamboo, which also has antibacterial properties, which is a great benefit when we are talking about an oral hygiene product that is going to be wet frequently.

It may take a little while to get used to this type of brush at first . The texture is very different and some people even tell us that it made their teeth tingle at first. If this happens to you, we suggest you hold on for a while, 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 3 months , so changing the materials they are made of is important to reduce our waste. A bamboo or beech brush , like the ones we have at Alma Eko, are compostable . When they have reached the end of their useful life, you only have to remove the bristles with pliers and the handle can be thrown into your composter , if you have one, or into the organic waste container, if there is one in your area. 

Another option is to use it as fuel . It can help you light your fireplace or barbecue. Also, an alternative use for toothbrushes that are no longer going to be used for that purpose is to give them a second life by using them to clean joints, window rails or sockets, for example.

TOOTHPASTE AND WHITENING

Did you know that conventional toothpaste tubes cannot be recycled? Toothpaste residues are always left inside and recycling plants throw them away because of this. They end up in landfills, incinerated, in water...

At Alma Eko you will find many alternatives. We have a very wide range of toothpastes so you can choose the one that best suits you. You have them packaged in glass or cardboard . You have them in paste, in bars or in tablets . You have them in different flavours (including orange, the most suitable for children). And you have them with and without fluoride . A delicate subject this… There is no consensus in the scientific community regarding whether toothpastes should contain fluoride or not, but we have an article in which we have compiled the informative information for and against this element, so that you can clarify concepts and make an informed decision in this regard.

The process of adapting to natural toothpastes can also take some time . Have you tried them? Do you find it difficult to get used to them? Have you thrown in the towel after trying? It could happen, we're not saying it couldn't, but before you start or discard them completely, we're going to give you a couple of tips.

There are two things that change the most:

• 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 the Ben&Anna White natural toothpaste with mint and sage that we have at Alma Eko, it has a very mild flavour. You can also try the sage toothpaste tablets with fluoride from the Hydrophil brand , which also has a mild and sweet flavour. Even the one from Ben&Anna has a very mild flavour. Orange may be an option for you, although it is the one we usually recommend for children.

2. Don't combine it with conventional toothpaste . Contrary to what we have 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 is not a problem at all . They do not clean less because of it. In general, this is one of the major difficulties in adapting to sustainable products because they tend to be less foamy.

In the specific case of natural toothpastes, what happens is that they do not contain sulphates , an ingredient that can be harmful to our health. So, it is really important to give yourself the opportunity to make this change.

To make the adaptation process more bearable, we suggest thesolid bar options from Alma Eko toothpaste, as they are the foamiest, without containing sulphates.

In our online store we have toothpastes that also have a whitening function. But if you are looking for a specific product that offers you a more in-depth whitening, you can opt for the powder options .

MOUTHWASHES

There is no specific recommendation on the frequency of use of mouthwashes , as it depends greatly on the flora of each person's mucosa. That is why we recommend that you consult with your trusted professional to find out what is most suitable for you.

Rinses​ They allow us to clean our mouth more thoroughly and are a great solution when there is an ailment such as sores or gingivitis. In such cases, frequent use will help to improve. But if you do not have these types of problems, it may be enough to use it 3 or 4 times a week. We recommend that you do it after the last brushing of the day.

 

At Alma Eko we have liquid mouthwashes , packaged in a metal bottle, or in solid format, in tablets that are diluted in water, and come packaged in glass.

DENTAL FLOSS

Finally, to complete a deep cleaning of the mouth, we would like to talk about dental floss . And yes, you can also find this plastic-free and vegan at Alma Eko. The ones we have are made with corn starch and vegetable wax and essential oils. They are biodegradable and compostable .

These are 50-metre balls of thread presented in a glass jar with a metal dispenser lid, which allows the thread to be cut easily. In addition, we have refills available to reuse the glass container and generate less waste and polluting gases derived from its 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 carbon, with powerful anti-stain action.

Did you know that you have so many options to achieve oral hygiene without plastics or toxins? Don't be left with doubts. You can ask us anything about it. We will be happy to help you.