Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Oral Care Tips

White cup with two wooden toothbrushes in the cup and another toothbrush standing in front of it

While maintaining your oral health is extremely important, the waste that’s created from dental products may negatively impact the planet.1 However, making your oral care routine more eco-friendly only requires a few minor changes. Create a sustainable oral hygiene routine with these tips and start caring for your smile and the planet.

Finding a Sustainable Toothpaste

Choosing a toothpaste with sustainable packaging can help reduce waste. Look for a toothpaste brand that uses minimal or recyclable packaging and other environmentally friendly practices.6 This can help reduce the amount of plastic you’re using and send less trash to the landfill.1

Using Eco-Friendly Floss

Traditional floss is sold in a plastic container that usually gets discarded once it’s emptied.1 Instead of using regular floss, try flossing with sustainable bamboo fiber floss packaged in a recyclable or biodegradable container.2 This alternative works just as effectively and can make your oral hygiene routine more eco-friendly.

Creating an Eco-Friendly Oral Care Routine

Make your daily oral care routine more eco-friendly with these tips:2

  • Use a compostable toothbrush: Choose one made from sustainable materials.
  • Try sustainable toothpaste: Look for options with recyclable or minimal packaging
  • Floss with compostable fibers: Select bamboo floss with recyclable packaging over traditional plastic packaging.
  • Reduce water usage: Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth.
  • Recycle packaging: Properly dispose of and recycle the packaging of your oral care products. Sensodyne’s Sensitivity & Gum Soft Toothbrush, which comes in plastic-free packaging, making it easier to recycle.

Additional Eco-Friendly Practices

  • Ditch Bottled Water: Drinking tap water instead of bottled water helps reduce plastic waste and gives your teeth a healthy dose of fluoride.3 
  • Avoid Disposable Plastics: Look for products with cardboard or recyclable glass packaging.2

Why Sustainability Is Important

Climate change and pollution are currently two of the greatest threats to the wellbeing of our planet. As a result, finding sustainable alternatives can help us preserve our environment for future generations.4 Since oral care plays a large role in our daily lives, many consumers and brands are looking for ways to reduce its impact on the planet. By opting for eco-friendly products, we reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. Embracing sustainability in our oral care routine is a simple yet impactful way to contribute to a healthier planet.2

Save Water While Brushing Your Teeth

Water conservation is an important part of an eco-friendly oral care routine. On average, half of all water consumption takes place in the bathroom.5 By turning off the tap while brushing instead of letting the water run, you can save water while potentially lowering your water bill. Adopting these habits helps ensure reliable water supplies and reduces the overall environmental impact of tending to your oral health.5

Supporting Sustainable Brands

Vote with your dollar by supporting brands that prioritize sustainability. Since dental health plays such a large role in our daily lives, many companies are now producing eco-friendly dental products and transforming their respective field.2 When purchasing, look for claims that indicate the brand is using sustainable practices, such as minimal packaging or biodegradable ingredients.

Adopting eco-friendly oral care habits is a simple yet effective way to help the environment and reduce waste. Choosing products with sustainable packaging and making small changes to your daily routine can add up. Even one small change can have a big impact on the environment over time.

Sensodyne is also making changes to help the planet with our sustainable packaging. Feel good about choosing Sensodyne products knowing that you’re supporting your oral health and the health of the planet.

Source Citations:

  1. Sustainable Dentistry. ADA. https://www.ada.org/publications/ada-news/viewpoint/my-view/2022/april/my-view-sustainable-dentistry. Accessed 5/28/24.
  2. Eco Friendly Dental Care. Prof. Dr. Rania Sayed Mosallam. FDI. https://www.fdiworldental.org/sites/default/files/2024-01/Eco-Friendly%20Dental%20Care.pdf. Accessed 5/28/24.
  3. 80 Ways to Make Your Dental Practice Green. ADA. https://www.ada.org/resources/practice/practice-management/office-design/80-ways-to-make-your-dental-practice-green
  4. Sustainable Oral Healthcare: A Joint Stakeholder Approach. International Dental Journal. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9275086/. Accessed 5/28/24.
  5. Start Saving. EPA. https://www.epa.gov/watersense/start-saving. Accessed 5/28/24.
  6. Need for Sustainable Packaging: An Overview. Polymers Journal. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9609329/. Accessed 5/31/24.