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5 Eco Dental Switch-Ups You Can Make Easily

Here at Queensway, we’re proud to be the UK’s first plastic-neutral orthodontist. We also have Gold CSR accreditation and continue to do all we can to be kinder to the planet. But there’s lots you can do to help us on your own journey to a new smile.

Jul 26, 2024

5 Eco Dental Switch-Ups You Can Make Easily

You might have switched to shampoo bars and refillable toiletries. Perhaps you’re even thinking about solar panels or an electric car. But dental care is something many people forget about when it comes to moving to greener options. Here are a few switches you can easily make to do your bit. Yet another reason for you to smile confidently!


 

  1. Toothbrush

Next time you change your toothbrush, swap plastic for bamboo. Once it’s served its useful life cleaning your teeth, retire it to your cleaning caddy (they’re great for getting the mucky bits round taps and hobs) and when it’s completely done in, pull out the bristles with pliers and recycle them the way you would recycle any plastic. (As the bristles are so small, pop them into another recyclable container like a water bottle.) You can then put the bamboo handle in your bio waste bin or composter. If you have neither, you can bury it upright in the ground and it will biodegrade within a few years. 

 

  1. Floss

About to buy new floss? Rather than the plastic boxes filled with nylon floss that will be sitting in landfill for the rest of time, look for floss made from corn-based PLA (polylactic acid). PLA is a bio-plastic so it’s not made from fossil-fuel-based sources and can be disposed of in your food waste or garden waste bin to be industrially composted. There are lots of flosses that now also come in recyclable glass jars or cardboard boxes rather than plastic containers. Or, if you’re feeling fancy, look into a water flosser. 

 

  1. Retainers

If you’re an Invisalign patient, when you move on to your next retainer (or are done completely!) don’t forget to recycle it in the TerraCycle boxes in each of our clinics. You can also bring your used toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes and other dental hygiene packaging here. If you’re buying a retainer case to keep them safe while you’re eating, try to pick a metal one that can be recycled rather than a plastic, non-recyclable version.

 

  1. Toothpaste

Plastic toothpaste tubes are a big problem for landfill so look out for alternatives. Toothpaste is still available in old-fashioned metal tubes, which can be recycled. You can also buy toothpaste ‘tablets’ in the same sort of packaging washing tablets come in. Do be careful to read the ingredients though as some of these products don’t contain fluoride, a lack of which may lead to dental decay. 

 

  1. Mouthwash

As with toothpaste, look out for mouthwash tablets, rather than plastic bottles or - if you want the liquid variety - go for mouthwashes packaged in aluminium bottles with aluminium lids, which can be completely recycled. So you can be minty fresh AND a planet-saving hero or heroine!

 

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