Plastic-Free Dental Floss? Not Quite.
Cool photo, huh? It’s a plastic DenTek floss pick. I see them all over the streets around here. Our litter bugs have good oral hygiene. Anyway, this one did not come from the gutter. It is MY plastic floss pick. The Teflon (boo hiss!) tape finally broke last week after many, many uses. No, I wouldn’t buy plastic floss picks myself, but in a moment of desperation, having forgotten my own dental floss, I begged one from a coworker. I’ve kept it in my desk drawer at work and cleaned and reused it over and over again.
Now that it’s broken, I won’t be going out to buy a package of plastic picks with their toxic Teflon floss, even if they can be washed and reused over and over again. And I’m also not going to wash and reuse regular dental floss, as some uber-greenies have suggested. Any floss that’s tough enough to stand up to repeated uses is probably made of some scary material that I don’t want in my mouth anyway.
Here’s a rundown on the choices out there:
2017 UPDATE: I have an updated post with newer, more plastic-free and zero waste dental floss choices. Please visit: http://myplasticfreelife.com/2017/06/searching-for-a-plastic-free-zero-waste-dental-floss/
Eco-Dent: My choice, after weighing all the options, is Eco-Dent dental floss. It’s what I’ve been using for the past two years, and I really like it. Unlike any other brand of dental floss I have found, it comes in a recyclable cardboard container. That was the deciding factor for me. While there is a very thin plastic wrapper inside the box and two protective plastic stickers on the outside, the amount of plastic packaging is minimal compared to all other brands.
What’s more, the floss is waxed using 100% vegetable waxes rather than beeswax or petroleum-based wax. The Gentle Floss contains enzymes that help break down food particles between the teeth. The Vegan Floss does not, as those enzymes are grown on a dairy substrate. Either sounds great, right? Well…
The floss itself is made from Nylon. Plastic. But I’ve compared Eco-Dent to other brands of floss, and to me, it’s the best choice currently offered.
Radius: Radius natural dental floss is made from silk. If you’re vegan, forget it. If you’re not (I’m not), you still have to consider the packaging. The outer cardboard box can fool you. Inside is a regular plastic dental floss container.
Tom’s of Maine: The floss is made from Nylon with a hard plastic container inside the cardboard box.
DenTek Natural Floss Picks: In addition to their plastic floss picks, DenTek has created an “eco” option: individual disposable floss picks made from compostable starch rather than petroleum-based plastic. According to the company, they will break down in 180 days at a commercial compost facility. And the FAQ on the web site includes a link to instructions for building your own compost bin if you don’t have a commercial facility nearby. It seems like a green idea. But when you dig into the reality of it, you find just more greenwashing.
- Most commercial facilities process their compost at a much faster rate than 180 days. At Jepson Prairie, the facility that handles San Francisco’s compost, the material is “cooked” for 60 days and then “cured” for 30 days. Would DenTek picks break down in that short of a time?
- The floss picks come in a big plastic bag, so there’s really no plastic savings there. The company advertises the bag as recyclable, but unless they are willing to take back that bag and recycle it themselves, it’s not likely to get recycled anywhere.
- The floss itself is Nylon, so where is the benefit over regular Nylon dental floss?
- The “natural” picks don’t work well. In short, according to reviews on Amazon.com and Drugstore.com, they suck. Users complain that the floss doesn’t slide well and breaks too easily. So the argument can’t even be made for washing and reusing them over and over again like I did with my toxic Teflon pick.
- Way more materials and energy go into producing floss picks with their plastic handles (regardless of what the handles are made from) than plain dental floss. Unless there is some reason why you can’t use regular dental floss and must use a pick, I’d recommend skipping these.
Bryton Picks: Okay, this option just seems weird. I had to post the picture from the site because I couldn’t even figure out how to accurately describe these things. Bryton picks are not floss. Instead, they are made from flexible stainless steel strips that you slide up and down between each tooth. The handle is made from plastic. On the plus side, the device can be cleaned and reused for up to a month, probably longer. But I simply can’t imagine them actually working in the way that dental floss is supposed to work — below the gum line and around the teeth.
I’ll ask my dentist and get back to you.
Glide and other mainstream flosses: They’re made from Nylon or Teflon (worse), come in plastic containers, usually inside plastic blister packs, and are synthetically waxed. So why even consider them?
One Final Word
I’d love to hear your solutions for greener, less plastic dental hygiene. But I’m not willing to go to extremes to get the plastic out at the expense of my mouth. Part of my goal with this blog/project is to find out just where my limits are — to learn what I am and am not willing to give up. The changes I make don’t have an expiration date. They have to be sustainable for a lifetime.
And one more word after that.
My dentist founded the Eco Dentistry Association, which supports dentists everywhere in finding greener ways to practice dentistry, from reducing unnecessary disposable plastic to finding less toxic treatments. Refer your dentist to the organization’s web site for more information.
It’s 2019 now and we seem to have way more options! Yay! Though nothing perfect for us floss pick loyals… I found some Humble Co cornstarch floss picks that come in a paper package instead of plastic, which is in the right direction. I also found this awesome reusable handle that you string your dental floss onto. It’s plastic, but maybe someone can find one made of stainless steel? At least it’s super reusable.
Here’s the link to the handle:
https://www.amazon.com/Portable-clean-Dental-Cleaner-Flossers/dp/B0105DIBCU
you cant be environmentally friendly and not be vegan
hair (horse or human) makes a great floss,
all natural, biodegradeable, no factiry/packaging/shipping,
ethically and sustainably harvested.
i used to use mine when i grew it long,
now i stay close cropped and get some from ladyfriends.
Hi,
I have a vegan, Biodegradable, Charcoal infused bamboo dental floss in a little glass vial.
https://ommade-organic-skin-care-natural-products.myshopify.com/products/charcoal-infused-bamboo-fibre-dental-floss
Don’t judge. Instead work on you.
Not having a good option to buy, I’m currently using a DIY floss. I bought a spool of organic cotton thread in the heaviest weight I could find. I pop open the plastic container from store-bought floss and put it on the bobbin winder of my sewing machine. I tried just using a stainless bobbin, but my machine uses a smaller hole than the floss box. Once it’s wound, I put a couple of drops of peppermint essential oil on the spool, which distributes throughout the spool on its own, then I reload it into the emptied plastic container. This prevents me from throwing away the plastic, but uses a completely organic and compostable floss inside.
I don’t know how far this is interesting. My dad always uses rubber bands to floss. Washes them well after each use and use it up to a week or two. Not as abrasive as thread from spool, they are gentle on your gums.
I just found your, blog in search of an eco-friendly floss minus the plastic and unfortunately I am unable to afford the Eco-Dent, but stumbled on this brand WooBamboo! Eco-Awesome Floss from Bridgeable Silk, waxed natural mint flavor. Have you ever tried or heard of it ? What are your thoughts, also thought of a gum stimulator but they all come wrapped in some plastic .:(
Reading the section of floss made me remember something. When I was young, we never bought floss, I just use regular cotton thread from the spool, I actually felt it scrubbed better, but it was harder to hold and prone to breaking xD.
great to see people still reading this,even in 2017! I’m on the hunt for the ‘best’ ethical, sustainable, eco-friendly floss as well 🙂
I am also looking for alternatives for dental floss but I couldn’t find a more organic one here in my country (Philippines). But then I discovered this portable water flosser, called Pocket Flosser, in Kickstarter and I think it’s a great alternative! Water flossers works just as good, or even better, than dental floss. It’s basically water pressure pushing food debris (and even plaque) off. What’s great about this is that it doesn’t need any electricity or even batteries so you don’t have to worry about energy. It only requires easy manual hand pump to accumulate pressure then it’s just as good. While this doesn’t necessarily fit in your pockets (as the name may suggest, the pocket actually refers to spaces in between the teeth), I still think it’s a better alternative to those pricey and stationary water flossers, and it’s very still handy when traveling. While the pump may be made in plastic (the developer didn’t specify the exact material), at least it’s BPA-free. It’s also better because it’s only a one-time purchase and you don’t have to worry about running out or disposing anything.
If you love this product, you can get them here and help the developer produce this awesome invention:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1781019896/pocket-flosser-flossing-made-simple-and-pain-free/description
STIMUDENT-Wood, minimal plastic packaging. Unsustainable point of interest: wood grown in USA, made in China.
That’s what I use. But they can’t get further up the tooth. I’ve been unsuccessfully looking for a floss holder made of stainless steel, bamboo etc. instead of plastic. None exist.
You are environmentally conscious about plastics but not vegan? So the environment doesn’t matter if a personal preference of taste (since it is NOT a necessity to eat meat) comes to question?
I’m glad it’s not a necessity for you to eat meat. That is not true for everyone. It’s also true that some people need certain products that are packaged in plastic. This website is not about judging people’s choices but about giving them options and alternatives to make positive changes. I’m not interested in arguing with you about my or anyone else’s dietary needs.
Veganism has shown that the human body does not need it, it isn’t an opinion but scientifically true. There are plenty of studies supporting that. I am not trying to argue with you but it does seem very hypocritical to me that you still contribute to one of the biggest forms of environmental waste when you don’t need to, or maybe have not bothered to research it but have only researched material waste.
You have missed my point. This blog is not a forum for criticizing people’s personal choices but simply to offer alternatives. Calling me hypocritical for my personal choices is exactly the kind of comment that is not appropriate here since I am not calling anyone out for their plastic usage. One nice thing is that you inspired me to finally write the meat post I’ve been meaning to write for a while. http://myplasticfreelife.com/2016/04/buying-and-storing-meat-without-plastic/
but what are your reasons to kick the plastic habit ? the environment ? pollution ? reducing petrolium-based product ?
with animal protein consumption being the number 1 cause of just about every environmental problems there is, skipping over that and going to lesser problematic issues seems weird and Jen is not going to be the last person to point that out to you.
I’ve been searching your website for great zero waste/plastic options and you have a lot of good material, but you really should consider veganism, i’m sure you’ll like it once you make the switch. it’s much easier than cutting out plastic !
Simon, I applaud you for your choice to be a vegan and for your concern and care for the planet. However, I would caution you against making assumptions about other people’s dietary choices. In fact, for many people including myself, going vegan is actually not easier than cutting out plastic because our particular bodies do not do well without animal protein. We are not all the same, even if you would like to think that we are. I have addressed the issue on this post: http://myplasticfreelife.com/2016/04/buying-and-storing-meat-without-plastic/
Hi Beth. I applaud you for your website and all you do to help the environment and others through your work.
I am vegan but I’m not writing to you to be negative against you. You appear to already be aware of many issues relating the environment and animal consumption. However, I need to point out that, although humans have some minor genetic differences, we are indeed much more similar than different. We do belong to the same species. You can ask this to people like Rosane Oliveira, DVM, PhD is Founding Director of UC Davis Integrative Medicine and ex geneticist who explicitly clarify that even when there’s a difference in the genetic pool, those genes can be turned on and off with diet.
So, what I want to say is this: what you are doing towards veganism and what you can do is up to you. All you can do is great but don’t let excuses stop or slow you or others down in the road towards progress. If you or anybody else genuinely find it difficult, ask for help. Many vegans are very happy to offer all sort of support. Most of the time, by tackling the problem from a different angle, everything turns out to be much easier.
Keep up the good work!
Take care.
Plastic does very specific damage to the environment that is not equaled by anything else. There is no such thing as “responsible plastic usage.” Meat eating is damaging to greatly varying degrees, from very little damage to very much. As consumers we can make choices about what kind of meat we buy that greatly minimizes that damage. The same cannot be said of plastics. Also, animals are a very integral part of sustainable agriculture, so going vegan doesn’t actually address the role that animals must play in growing sustainable food.
Your message will reach further when you focus on positive messages about what people are doing to further their journey to help improve life on Earth. Focusing on the negatives helps no one and turns people off.
oh, and as far as toothpaste, this stuff is amazing, except going the wintergreen route is by far the best, b/c it’s got that rootbeerish taste while still being minty, but isn’t so harsh on the tastebuds, so you can actually eat food right after no problem. you can use the recipe below as a starting point, and just look at the photo of the earthpaste container online to see what ingredients are in the wintergreen flavor. it really is the best. the xylitol does come in a plastic bag, but it lasts a long time. or maybe someone knows how to find xylitol sold in some other packaging? … : anyway, it sure does beat bunches of toothpaste tubes. actually, i mostly just use baking soda by itself, but my wife hates it, so we have both on hand.
https://dontwastethecrumbs.com/2014/03/homemade-toothpaste-thats-just-like-earthpaste/
has anyone ever tried just using cotton sewing thread? i saw someone online mentioning it. i am still using regular dental floss, but thinking maybe i can switch to cotton thread… i bet that it being more abrasive is actually helpful. now i just wonder if i can get it between my teeth without it breaking? hmmm… even if i can’t, and had to use the polyester sewing thread, it’s still a lot less packaging than dental floss. oh, and i am going to switch to using licorice root as my toothbrush!
I’ve tried, and it broke right away. I prefer EcoDent floss over polyester thread because it’s coated with vegetable wax, so it’s easier to slide between my teeth. I think unwaxed thread could potentially damage your gums and leave fibers between your teeth.
What about quilting thread? It’s thicker and stronger.
i have since discovered radius floss. it’s far from perfect, but at least its packaging is recyclable (in theory). the floss itself is silk. works great. there’s a similar floss sold in europe that comes in a metal tin, that’s obv way better for recycling. but i’d have to find a distributor here in the US and i don’t know of any. so, radius for me for now.
Hi Jamie. This is actually a very old post. Yesterday, I posted updated options, including the floss in metal that you mentioned and also a new one in a refillable glass container. Both are made from silk. http://myplasticfreelife.com/2017/06/searching-for-a-plastic-free-zero-waste-dental-floss/
Have you considered Stim-u-dent? They are biodegradable wooden picks made from managed US forests and even the packaging is compostable/recyclable. No plastic involved whatsoever 🙂
I have tried it. They don’t fit between my teeth.
They’ve got Stim-u-dent Thin. Do those also not fit? :/
Not sure if I tried the thin one or not. Thanks. I’ll look into it.
I use both standard and thin Stimudents. But if there is any food stuck further up the tooth, I need a flossers. But they’re all plastic….
Tip: Hold the Stimudent close to the end that goes into your tooth, to reduce breakage.
Please let me know how you like it. I’m afraid unwaxed floss might get stuck between my teeth.
Oh, I switched to unwaxed nylon floss quite a while ago after having learned that I had been using PTFE floss. The first one I bought was CVS unwaxed floss because it was the first unwaxed floss I found after visiting a few stores. I liked it, but disliked plastic packaging. The current floss I have (Oraline) is fine, too, but I am still angry with the seller for making a substitution without first calling me to confirm approval.
Overall, I’ve never had any problems with unwaxed floss. It doesn’t get stuck or even tear on me. However, my teeth are straight and I suspect normally spaced (compared to people who I’ve heard complain about having tightly packed teeth).
Maybe you could try buying one 3-pack of POH NoWax floss refills since it comes packaged in cardboard and is still a relatively small amount for nominal cost. Or contact POH to see if they will send you a few samples. (They offer NoWax floss in three different thicknesses, so you might find one works better for you than others.) Granted, testing the spools of floss without the dispenser spool may be cumbersome for the first few tries, but at least it will give you a chance to see for yourself if it will work for you. And, if you find it does, then you can always buy the floss with the reusable dispenser afterwards. Good luck!
Actually, if you try POH NoWax and find that you like it enough to continue using, I can donate you one of my canisters as I accidentally acquired more than one. I recently moved from Oakland, but I still visit friends in the area regularly. Lemme know if you’d like it. I also remember seeing some vintage POH canisters online a few months back, so that might be another option for forgoing plastic.
Argh! So I just received my order today, and, instead of receiving the refill spools packaged in cardboard boxes that I ordered, I received 200-yard spools in plastic dispensers! >:[ They didn’t even call me before shipping to let me know about the change. Made in China, too, so probably extra toxic. In the future, I will buy POH’s refill spools since POH specifically aims to reduce plastic packaging (so I know they won’t switch things out from under me). Their floss is made in the USA, too.
Dental floss are not good for your gums, they can harm them and They are not necessarily doing a good clean up.I use a device calles “Silonit”, it’s a local product in my country (but I’m sure there is other companies that manufacture such a product). basically it cleans your teeth with the water pressure, “Silonit”=jet. And it is an excellent cleaner and you can see and feel a difference. but .. there is waste of water and it is made out of plastic (although I’m with my Jet years!)
Why can’t floss be made out of cotton?
Shortly after I posted my previous comment, I decided to buy 200-yard spools of unwaxed nylon floss (the kind typically used in dentist offices). It’s nylon floss, but that’s the same as any other floss (unless you buy silk floss) and better than toxic PTFE floss. I buy unwaxed floss, so I don’t need to concern myself over whether it was coated with plant- or petroleum-based waxes. Additionally, each spool is packaged in a cardboard box, and I reason that I am reducing packaging by buying 200-yard spools. It’s cheap, too!
I just discovered POH NoWax floss. It’s a nylon floss that comes in a hard plastic case with a metal screw top. You can buy refill spools though, so you don’t have to worry about discarding plastic/metal cases every time you need to replenish your dental floss. The refill spools are sold in a cardboard box (three 100-yard spools per box). According to The Soap Dispensary’s September 2012 review, each refill spool is wrapped in paper tissue, but I think it’s possible that “paper” could be polypropylene. I am not sure about that or the cylinder around which the floss is wrapped, but I like it better than the Eco-DenT GentleFloss.
You can buy or make an essential oil blend that is a very healthy option to replace toothpaste (use oil blend straight on your toothbrush) and mouth rinses (use with a mouthful of water or whatever other liquid you prefer) and to enhance the effectiveness of any floss or toothpicks you are using (just touch the dropper lightly to your finger and rub the floss or pick).
If making your own, remember that it is important to store them in either dark brown or (to be super-protective) to use a Violiv purple glass bottle, and a dropper top. If you don’t have a bottle yet, you can buy one at many health food sections/stores or online. Or buy something that comes in a dropper bottle and reuse it.
I sometimes add an essential oil blend to a tiny jar of coconut oil to swish with before brushing, then to brush with (don’t spit oil in sink or toilet, though – it can clog things over time). You can make your blend as strong or mild as you like. I agree that baking soda is too rough on teeth to be a regular dentifrice, but rinsing with water and baking soda will help bring down the acid level in your mouth quickly after a meal.
To buy a pre-made essential oil tooth blend – or to learn what ingredients you can use to make your own, visit:
https://store.orawellness.com/collections/home-page/products/orawellness-starter-kit
I’ve tried different gentler powder combo’s – arrowroot, bentonite, calcium carbonite, etc. – they seem to aggravate my propensity toward tartar, though a lot of people do great with it.
I tried a brush with a replacable head, but didn’t like how harsh the bristles were, nor that the total length was not compatible with my little reusable mesh organizer bags that I use both in my bathroom and when I travel.
I’ve experimented with neem toothpicks that, when chewed on enough, become like miswaks with a brushy, fibrous end. They don’t get all the stuff from between my teeth, though, and mine came in a plastic container.
there are places that sell the original miswak sticks online. From an environmental standpoint, I like the miswak idea best of all, but it is very time consuming. I’m also intrigued by the blotting method, which is a whole other topic.
I’ve used different natural brands of floss, but can’t seem to get around the difficulty of the plastic box. The one on my desk right now (that prompted my internet search) can be popped open,so….why couldn’t these companies sell the tiny replacement spools to pop inside of them? You could have all the floss you need for the foreseeable future, and buy it in a cloth bag with a drawstring,( or to be hygienic, in a small, re-usable plastic box to keep them dry in different storage settings). Even wrapping each tiny spool in a tiny sliver of sealed plastic would be a huge improvement over the current wasteful packaging. I realize that might not be good for business for the floss manufacturers, but it is a thought.
I make my own toothpaste using bentonite clay, arrowroot powder, coconut oil, and a few drops of peppermint, cinnamon and eucalyptus oil, plus a little birch xylitol. I ignore the recommendations about toothbrushes and use mine until the bristles start to seem broken, dipping it in Everclear to keep it germ free. Lasts about a year. I’d be willing to switch to the recycled plastic one you mention, imho the other options are just a lot of green hype. I don’t bother with mouthwash, and use doubled cotton thread for dental floss. Does come with a plastic spool these days, although I’ve still got some old stuff on wooden spools I’m using up.
Thanks for a great blog idea. May I suggest a few ideas:
Using a miswak (a tree twig-wiki) instead of a toothbrush.
Using toothpowder instead of a toothpaste, I suppose since they’re not pre-mixed with water they come in smaller packages with more # of uses.
Using Hydrogen Peroxide (mix 1:1 with water) instead of mouth wash. I hear mouth washes can harm the digestive and immune systems by killing too many good bacteria and H2O2 is supposed to be healthier (I haven’t actually verified this rumor).
And about dental floss I’m in the search myself, but did you know little hunter gatherer 3year olds use real natural flosses in their jungles? Cute scene from a documentary I watched. I thought floss was a modern invention and that’s what wiki claims too!
Right now, I’m using baking soda with added essential oils: peppermint, tea tree, cinnamon, and clove. After brushing, I mix some with water to rinse and gargle. It’s great.
It’s not hard to make your own toothpaste. If baking soda is too harsh you can use bentinite clay or salt instead or just leave it out all together. I’m using a mixture of calcium carbonate, coconut oil, baking soda, and essential oils. It’s cheap to make and so far been very effective for me.
As usually very good information i used to use A. Vogel Herbal Mouth Wash besides being in a glass container it was great mouthwash but the last time i check it is no longer available so will check out https://www.dentalherb.com/. i have used Eco-Dent floss for years and love it. But i had avoided bamboo toothbrushes because of the boar bristles. i am sure you are very busy but hope you will update this blog to promote the great work of Brush With Bamboo as other vegans might be more open if they saw an alternative without boar bristles (i have no problem with using used leather or local, humanely harvested honey but know a lot of vegans that are not so open.) i would like very much to share this blog but will wait and see if the update to add info on Brush with Bamboo is something you can do. Also thank you for the info about Tom’s of Maine i did not know about his take back program If i did not have very sensitive teeth would switch from Eco-dent tooth powder to his but i have to use Eco-dent as it really helps. My husband uses Tom’s and i will be sure he knows about the take back program. Have you checked out this? https://tv.greenmedinfo.com/homemade-coconut-oil-based-toothpaste/#sthash.K2L78m8k.dpuf
Hi. Sorry… I know this comment is a few months old, but I just discovered it in my spam folder. Anyway, I wanted to let you know that since this post was published, I did review Brush with Bamboo. Here is the review: http://myplasticfreelife.com/2013/08/brush-with-bamboo-is-my-new-favorite-toothbrush/
As far as mouthwash goes, I use coconut oil once a day, swishing for roughly 5 or 10 minutes and have noticed a definite improvement in my teeth since I started. Coconut oil is known for having great antibacterial and antifungal properties.
This may not be as effective, but one alternative I’m used to floss is Stim-U-Dent plaque removers. They are small wooden flexible sticks.
https://www.walgreens.com/store/c/stim-u-dent-plaque-removers-mint/ID=prod6015932-product#descriptionNamedTab
So, I”ve read that the fluoride and the glycerine in many toothpastes actually prevent a tooth from remineralizing; and some who used nice, healthy oils in their homemade tooth cleaners found better tooth healing after leaving them out. And easy does it on the baking soda, per some, as you don’t need to scrape off any more enamel. Google Dr. Judd or Dr. Phillips on “blotting technique” and “good teeth from birth to death.” Fascinating. Saliva and a tiny touch of essential oil may be all that is needed on a daily basis, with weekly or monthly baking soda polishing.
Here’s a study comparing sonic toothbrushes and ionic toothbrushes. These researchers found the differences to be insignificant.
Thanks for the post..It is really great. There are also non-toothpaste brushes called ionic brushes that use
titanium dioxide to kill bacteria around it. Kind of amazing if they
work like the tests show. anyone could tell me about
Hi there, I am from Germany and have found a plastic-free dental floss in an online shop that also ships internationally. It is rather pricey in that particular shop but there are others that sell it cheaper, at least here in Europe. Maybe there are shops like in the US as well who carry that brand. It’s called “Le Negri” dental floss. It is natural finish and comes in a metal tin.
I am not sure if I can post links here but if so this is what it looks like: https://www.manufactum.com/dental-floss-p1402108/
Hi. Do you know what the actual floss is made of? The page does not say if it is Nylon or cotton or some other material.
Hey Beth, it is made from pure silk.
It’s 4 years later, and that floss is now available in the United States. I just reviewed it here: http://myplasticfreelife.com/2017/06/searching-for-a-plastic-free-zero-waste-dental-floss/
Please update on the Bryton Pick. I’m looking into getting them since my boyfriend uses those ‘hard to reach angle’ floss picks 10+ times a day. Please review them, or at least let us know if your dentist thinks they’ll work like floss. Thanks!
Hi, Allison… sorry I forgot to check with my dentist. But I’m guessing that different dentists might have different opinions. Want to check with yours too and see what they say?
Hello. I found this post while searching for some way to cut down on the huge amount of plastic floss casings I use that I seem to drown in sometimes. It’s sad that there aren’t that many options out there…barely anyone who doesn’t use them. Thank you for making such a comprehensive post and helping out my search.
Beeswax is not vegan, that’s all. I personally use beeswax, but other people do not.
Is there a problem with beeswax? I was planning on making some beeswax coated cotton sheets to use instead of plastic wrap this weekend
I am also considering green dental floss, and am going to experiment with sinew/cured animal tendons.
I was trying the baking soda toothpaste recipes and they didnt work for me as well – too hard on my teeth and taste is bad. I ended up making the toothpaste out of white clay powder – it is much softer and healthier basis. I just add tea tree and mint essensial oils for desinfection and smell/taste. Thanks for the floss review!
Hi, I have been searching forever to find a good natural or reusable floss. I love the idea of harvesting floss from Agave plant. The leaves can be stripped to make strings that are stringer than dental floss and totally natural, if someone marketed this it would be amazing, I would buy a pack every month.
Video of someone flossing with Agave strings https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmT3LTQ6Q88
Also Miswak sticks from the neem or peelu tree are a time tested natural way to clean your teeth, I wishIi could find some that are not individually wrapped in plastic.
Also check out these brushes..they use a titanium dioxide rod to kill bacterial around it..really amazing if it works.
Hi, Lindsay. I did find a source of neem sticks without plastic! But you do have to ask. I tried them and they weren’t for me, but I know lots of people do like them. Here’s my post about it: http://myplasticfreelife.com/2011/06/verdict-on-neem-chew-stick-toothbrushes/
My solution to the the dental floss problem is to reuse. But, my husband refuses to do so. We find dental floss at church rummage sales at the end, when it’s fill a sack for $1. By that point, if the floss hasn’t been purchased by someone else, it would likely be pitched anyway. When the floss is finished, we pull off the metal cutter and recycle it, and recycle the plastic case. We haven’t had to buy floss from the store or take samples from the dentist in many years.
I have a nail brush with bristles apparently made from cactus thorns. The bristles are surprisingly soft, and really gentle on my sensitive skin.
If they can use them for nail brushes, surely they would work for toothbrushes too…
Anyway, you should consider making your own toothpaste. There are recipes online!
Hi Jay. That’s really interesting about the cactus brush.
Since writing this post, I have written another one about various toothpaste alternatives here: http://myplasticfreelife.com/2011/08/searching-for-the-perfect-all-natural-plastic-free-toothpaste-or-powder-or-soap-or/
I use the “Environmental Toothbrush” ….made from bamboo and polymer, which they claim is totally biodegradable. They come wrapped in paper in cardboard boxes. I stopped using any toothpaste and haven’t noticed a difference in whiteness. For a mouthwash, tea made from fresh thyme leaves is ok (and not as awful tasting as I thought it might be).
My dentist here in France laughed at me when I mentioned using floss everyday, saying that that is so American. Flossing is not common in France! My dentist doesn’t use floss himself. There are just some practices that we, Americans, have gotten so used to, we don’t even question them anymore. Same goes for mouth wash; if you want to use one, make your own with some water and a few drops of tea tree essential oil (or another antiseptic essential oil like lavender).
How do you buy the dental herb tonic? is it possible to do so without a dentist? it’s just mouthwash, right?
Hi Dora. This particular mouthwash is only sold through dentists, unfortunately, so you would have to have your dentist order it for you. I actually haven’t been using it lately because I want to avoid the plastic cap and the plastic label.
I was also skeptical about using the Butler gum stimulator in place of dental floss, as recommended by the Zero Waste Home. In the hopes of reducing waste, though, I decided to give it a try. After six months, and a follow-up visit to the dentist’s office, I have to say that it really does work. My dentist even marveled that my gums were healthier this time around.
There’s a trick to using the stimulator tool correctly as a floss substitute: you have to remember to guide the rubber tip around the entire gumline (front and back of each tooth), not just in between teeth. It sounds harder to do than it is, and once you get the hang of it, cleaning teeth this way will take the same amount of time as flossing.
I don’t think the rubber doodad mounted on a holder is for flossing – I think it’s for stimulating the gums. I love that thing with a passion, but still need to floss.
Damn those bad tooth genes!!
Check out the zero waste home bathroom. She had plastic free alternatives. Also read the comments someone talks about a compostable toothbrush.
Why not just use a heavier thread for dental floss. You can buy it at a sewing store on a wooden bolt.
My husband and I have been using Tooth Soap for years, and just recently we tried the (more accurately named) Tooth Shreds (from Rose of Sharon). Tooth Soap comes in reusable brown glass jars with plastic lids. Tooth Shreds comes in metal tins. Both are bits of soap, already shredded. You take out one shred and bite it, then scrub it with your toothbrush until it foams up. Because they’re already shredded, there’s little or no hygiene problem.
Using soap is a different experience from using toothpaste, but it’s one I’ve come to prefer. I don’t mind the slight soapy taste and my teeth feel considerably cleaner than they did when we were using regular (green, flouride-free) toothpaste, and neither of us has had any dental problems since we started using it.
Floss is something i use regularly but completely overlooked in my weekly challenge total.
thanks for the less plastic ideas, although i will use up what i already have first.
i have tried Tom’s toothpaste (and originally picked it for it’s non-plastic tube) but my husband complained about the taste.
We are currently using Jason Sea Fresh, but will probably switch back when it’s gone.
HI Veena. These days the Preserve toothbrushes come in a plastic mailer envelope that you send back to the company with the brush. They told me that they recycle both the brush and the mailer. As for those that still come in a box — the box is made from tree cellulose, not petroleum-based plastic. Still, it is a lot of packaging, isn’t it?
yea, but what about the plastic box that the preserve toothbrush comes in….seems like a big bummer and waste….is it recycled also, is it recyclable?
i struggle with this one myself as a person striving towards a plastic free life.
and i do pretty well.
toothbrushes are hard, i think, if only i could grow neem then i could do like they do in india and simply use a twig to brush my teeth…no waste.
I make my own toothpaste and keep it in a glass jar with a metal lid…..at first it took a while to get used to the flavor(because of the baking soda) but after just a couple of weeks I was in a situation where I had to use regular toothpaste and you know what?….it was disgusting. I found that I could hardly stand the taste of regular toothpaste because it tasted too sweet to me. I love my toothpaste, it’s plastic free, doesn’t have any odd or ingredients, fast and easy to make, and cheaper in the long run too!! It also doesn’t get all foamy in my mouth which I love because the foam from the other stuff makes me gag. 😛
Here’s a link to the recipe I use:
http://dfltweb1.onamae.com
P.S. I add more stevia and mint in mine then the recipe calls for.
hmmnnn, I’m definitely going to have to read more of the posts I’d missed as a relatively new visitor. there is so much to think about! I had jumped from here to add ecodent to my cart, came back to read more and find the product has more plastic than you thought. will have to research more…would definitely like to find an alternative to the little plastic container types of floss.
I am giving a DIY Dental workshop tomorrow!
WHAT: Natural Dental Care Workshop
WHEN: Monday September 20 6 to 8pm
WHERE: Anarres Natural Health, College and Ossington
REGISTER: http://www.anarreshealth.ca/node/874
In my new workshop by request, Natural Dental Care, we’ll discuss the germ, decay and odour fighting properties of essential oils, explore deodorizing and whitening ingredients and carriers and how they “work”, look at natural tooth and mouthcare products and earth friendly options, then you’ll make a custom mouthwash and breath freshener, plus a custom tooth paste or powder to take home.
I am going to point the participants to this entry – could I print it out for them? Better than me just spouting off YOUR research!
I use the replaceable head type of toothbrush, and my dsaughter used the natural bristle – in the inane plastic case, until an evil relative bought her an electric princess toothbrush that you can’t even replace the batteries for. That’s probably even worse than the evil relative who bought her 5 sunglasses at once because “they were on sale!”. Oh, yeah, my boycott thing is only for FULL PRICED plastic. Silly me!
I MUST get my back bone up to REJECT these gifts instead of whining about them. It’s evil to give a kid something behind their parent’s back and put the parent in the position of taking it away. Grrr.
I make my own toothpaste and mouthwash/breath freshener, and am working through umpteen dental floss containers we already have.
I forgot to mention that I was given a pick sort of instrument with a rubber tip to use to poke around the gums in between teeth, front and back sides. Has anyone any option on these?
As I just recently found a great dental hygenist, I learned that my mostly vertical action of floss doesn’t clean properly. Probably most know that the floss should be moved to follow the path of the teeth, moving the floss down the side of one tooth, into the valley of gum and a little way up the next tooth. Then reverse directions, starting at the top of the next tooth, back down into the valley of gum just in. BTW I’ve never used those throwaway flossers; now that I’m flossing with more awareness I don’t think they’d be as controllable as a longer line of floss. Also, my new dental hygenist recommends that I hold the floss with middle fingers and use index fingers to control ascent and descent of floss. No sharp up down, but flowing around the sides of the teeth and in the gum region in control flowing action. My former error in flossing was to do mostly vertical movement of floss, the old idea that I must rush. But that up and down-only floss motion will not clean thoroughly, especially near gumline.
Dear Beth check this out
I personally know the product and its pack is made with biodegradable paper or with BOPP (Plastic and paper).
The paper one is absolutely amazing!! and very green.
Okay, so I have looked at the product on a desktop computer now. Is each individual length of floss wrapped up in a separate package? I’m honestly trying to figure out how it’s green because if it’s what I think it is, it will create so much more packaging waste than one box that contains 100 yards of floss.
Hi Andrea. It looks like the floss comes in plastic containers? Is that right? I am looking at it from my mobile phone so maybe I’m not seeing the picture properly.
Dear Beth and all,
I am a freak when it comes to Green oral hygiene. I found this amazing product that is currently being sold in Latin America. Is a Single use floss sachet made of biodegradable paper and you can have it with natural silk or nylon. I emailed them about the product and they mentioned that are currently in the process of experimenting with other natural fibers to replace the nylon. They use Natural flavors. I bought a pack from their American Distributor (Fresh & Go) – Try searching single floss sachets and they are great. I think companies like Eco-Dent and Radius should take advantage of this product to replace picks and add a new innovative biodegradable sachet to their ON THE GO markets.
Here is there website: http://www.macrolab.com.co and they seem to be related to http://www.panaceadental.com (american subsidiary)
It is a great product try to post a picture from their website….
Andrea
I make my own mouthwash. Take an old bottle and lid that you can reuse. Add a teaspoon of salt. Add a couple drops of essential oil (I use peppermint and eucalyptus). Add water and shake. My dentist recommended salt water as a mouth rinse because it kills germs.
It is worth learning about Weston Price’s experience in dental hygiene. He was a dentist in the early 1900s who traveled the world to find people with healthy teeth and find out why “modern” humans had such unhealthy teeth. He found that people following a traditional diet inevitably had healthy teeth, generally without any need for floss or toothpaste. Why?
Well, look into it. But it comes down to diet: raw, full-fat milk from animals on pasture, animal products from healthy animals, traditional fats, foods from the ocean, and fruits/vegetables from highly mineralized soils, and cultured/fermented foods. sunshine, a good amount of raw foods, good water… happiness!
I was vegetarian for 14 years and I have a deep respect for the vegetarian way of life. But to regain my health and particularly my dental health I have found a balanced, radically healthy, animal/plant diet makes the most sense. I say this particularly as a nursing mom right now.
Look into it: traditional diets and the link to healthy teeth…
Dr. Price literally traveled all over the world and didn’t find a healthy society that was entirely plant based.
I still use dental floss and don’t think I will likely reverse my need for it, but maybe my daughter has a chance to keep her naturally healthy teeth!
how about using a Miswak? (aka Siwak)
this is a certain type of twig that is chewed on traditionally used by Muslims
you soften it up by chewing on it and the fibers spread out and go between your teeth, has been used for centuries
I have no affiliation with this site, I just want to save myself some typing:
http://www.dentalhealthsite.com/what-is-miswak/
unfortunately when we go to buy them now they come in a plastic sheet, guess everyone is paranoid about microbes, but if you start to look around, maybe some ethnic food shops, you can find them bundled
Great article, Beth. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I stoppped using Toms of Maine once they were bought by Clorox. I’m trying out some homemade recipes for myself and other brands for hubby who isn’t ready to leave commercial toothpaste. Have you found other toothpaste brands that have a non-plastic tube? I can order my things from a Frontier Coop. So, it’s sometimes difficult to see packaging before buying. I did find an all-natural, vegan dental floss on a cardboard spool, in a cardboard box while in Santa Cruz last year. I’ll try to track it down again for purchasing info…
Wow, Zo, if you can track down that dental floss, I would love to know more about it. I just discovered yesterday that in addition to the little plastic baggie inside the Eco-Dent box, there is also a plastic spool.
I don’t know of other toothpaste brands in metal tubes that can be recycled. But I’m always open to hearing about other options.
I was wondering when this was gonna come up. I read a post about someone not being able to find a plastic free floss and I also suggested using thread. I can only assume silk would work better since that’s what people used to prefer. But is there any way of knowing what the thread was treated with unless it states that it’s unbleached and undyed? And even then, would it be sterile? Eco-Dent’s website says this about silk: “Silk production involves chemical sterilization and can be dangerous and involve child labor.”
Radius’ website has this to say about child labor: “Child Labor – does RADIUS have a viewpoint? RADIUS has signed all of the manufacturing protocols associated with the prevention of the use of child labor. Our own manufacturing facilities are in the USA and we have strict policies on the age of employees.”
But since I doubt the silk is produced in the US, who knows whether their policies apply to the people who produce it. I think it’s worth contacting them to ask about where the silk is produced, what’s involved in the sterilization process and to ask them if they would consider changing the packaging. I read another post about natural flosses that mentioned that Apache native americans used to use fibers from the yucca plant– probably yucca elata but I wonder if other varieties could be used. I was thinking about getting the dwarf variety (yucca nana) as a house plant and making floss out of it, if it would work. Really, I bet any natural fiber would work, as long as it’s strong enough not to break and soft enough not to cut, and if you aren’t a huge germophobe (which I can be sometimes).
I had only recently gotten into the habit of flossing when my sister insisted upon it, but after trying to reduce my plastic waste I found myself not wanting to use it. I would really like to find a good plastic free alternative because I do agree that it’s a not a good idea to skip flossing– I also inherited horrible dental genes.
Wait, who says you have to kill the boar to harvest the bristles? Can’t you just yank some out, like shearing a sheep for wool? Maybe I’m wrong.
“On my naming day when I come 12 I gone front spear and kilt a wyld boar he parbly ben the las wyld pig on the Bundel Downs any how there hadnt ben none for a long time befor him nor I aint looking to see none agen.” — Russell Hoban, “Riddley Walker”
Great timing! I recently found Radius silk floss and love how it works on my teeth. I have very close spacing. I just emailed the company to ask if they would start selling refills. The floss container is a very sturdy plastic and could be re-used for a long time. Maybe I should modify my request that they offer refills, wrapped in paper (not plastic) and on cardboard spools, not plastic.
I just got out my 100% cotton sewing thread to give it a try. 1st try without beeswax: broke. Wouldn’t even go between my teeth before it broke. 2nd try with a beeswax coating: same results. Now I need to track down some silk thread.
Great post, Beth. Like Melanie, I’ve wondered about taking cotton thread and running it over beeswax, which is supposed to strengthen it, and using that for floss. When I’ve used up the flosses I have all over the place, I’m going to try the thread. Carefully, though…it could cut the gums, I think…or maybe only the nylon thread would do that.
I’m thinking of doing a ‘send back your used toothbrush attachements’ to Braun. I love their electric toothbrush, and I use the brush attachments until the bristles are all spread out, because I hate throwing those things in the trash. I’ll collect a bunch and send them to the manufacturer and see what kind of response I get!
Lara, I know nothing about Amway. I just know that if their products come in plastic packaging, I would not buy them.
Crap. I should have mentioned my plastic Invisalign retainers that I wear every night of my life. I do know that Invisalign is BPA-free. However, what other chemicals could be in the plastic, I don’t know. Ironic, isn’t it? But without the retainer, my teeth are so crooked, I can’t clean them properly. I should post a pic of what they looked like when I was a kid. Maybe I’ll wait until Halloween because it’s scary.
Heating plastic before you put it in your mouth, Elizabeth? FAIL. Maybe refer your dentist to the Eco Dentistry Association.
Lara, I have a similar worry. I have to wear a night guard because I grind my teeth–if I didn’t, I’d lose all my teeth because of gum recession. Our new dentist does only night guards made from a thermal plastic that has to be heated up before you put it in your mouth. (!!) Every time I put that puppy in my mouth I cringe. Heating plastic? DNW.
I may switch to Eco-Dent, though.
I too am worried about the plastic retainer I use at night. I read you use one too (tought perhaps of a different material. Mine is hard and transparent plastic). Have you asked your green dentist about the possibility of leaching chemicals? I’d like to know if it’s better to get a new retainer as often as you can, to avoid the old chewed plastic in case that it gets easier for it to release the chemicals; or maybe new plastic is loaded with chemicals because they haven’t “washed” into our mouths. Scary 🙁
One of my friends has started selling Amway products. She says they’re more natural and that they’re very concentrated so you use less packaging. The “natural” part, I don’t dare believe much (they do disclose components of their products but I don’t know if they differ or not from other products), but if the products are equally toxic and I can avoid excessive packaging I’d be willing to try some of them. So I was wondering if Beth (or other readers) have tried Amway products and can tell me your opinion about them?
The Stimudents are easy to use; you just poke it straight between your teeth up near the gum line and pull it straight back out. They are very effective. I’m not sure where the wood comes from–it seems logical that they might be made from scrap wood from another manufacturing process, but that may well not be the case.
Hi, Mitty. Maybe my teeth are too close together. I couldn’t get the Stim-U-Dent between them. Or maybe I’m doing it wrong.
Hi Beth!
Hooray! I’ve been wondering for the past year what it is you do for floss! It’s actually when I’m flossing my teeth that I end up thinking about your site the most, mostly because it’s when I start feeling guilty about my plastic floss. I couldn’t fathom the thought of NOT flossing (although, I took quite a break in the beginning of my eco-frenzy), but I didn’t know what alternatives there were. So thank you for giving me the breakdown on the best flosses! 🙂
Beth,
Thanks for the link on the genetic factor in oral health. I always suspected that was the case!
Dana, I forgot to mention before that unlike Leanne who apparently inherited great genes, I inherited crappy ones when it comes to my mouth. My paternal grandmother had all her teeth out in her 50’s and wore dentures for as long as I knew her. My maternal grandmother kept her teeth but had to have massive amounts of dental work to save them. Both ate very healthfully and brushed regularly; however I don’t remember ever seeing floss in my maternal grandma’s house. My parents have both flossed and used a water pik after being diagnosed with gum disease, and were able to reverse the damage and keep their teeth in good shape. Until recently, I had been very remiss and paid the price for it. And then my green dentist hypnotized me into flossing. 🙂 Not actually. But he did talk to me about it for about an hour while he was working on my teeth and convinced me I needed to do it every day. Now? I actually love it.
I hate those stupid picks! They always give little packets of them to my kids free at the dentist (along with a toothbrush, a plastic tube of colgate and stickers, all in a vinyl bag). Last time my husband took my son, I instructed them both to say “no” to the goodie bag (I said they could take the toothbrush, though, since he’d need one of those anyway)…they misunderstood and left the bag behind, but brought home the picks, paste and brush. Grr. I do love Tom’s and Gentle Floss, and I’ve been saving up old toothbrushes for years, hoping to find a way to recycle them (I’ll have to find out if Preserve will take other brands!!). Wish there was a plastic-free alternative to the mouth guard I wear at night to keep from grinding my teeth away.
Hello! First time commenting, but I’ve been reading for ages…
I am sitting here with a Radius sourced toothbrush in one cart and a Preserve toothbrush in another, and I can’t decide which of the two to get. Beth, you obviously prefer the Preserve though still recommend the Radius. I have no special toothbrush needs and so my only concerns are 1) environmental and 2) pricing (spouse and I are both unemployed). Since the replacement heads on the Radius aren’t too much cheaper than the Preserve brushes, the price issue seems to be sort of a wash. Would you mind convincing me one way or the other on which type to try?
Thanks!
If it’s not too late, I recommend the Preserve toothbrush because the company takes back and recycles the whole thing. Plus it’s made from recycled plastic. The whole mission of the company is recycling. And while I wouldn’t use some of their products myself (recycled plastic food containers, for instance) I do want to support companies that practice Extended Producer Responsibility.
I believe with the Radius, you throw away the heads and keep the handle. I don’t think there is much recycling going on there. It’s just that there is some plastic saved since the handle does not have to be replaced. Let me know if I’m wrong about that.
How funny. Just this morning I was flossing (I don’t do it often) and I wondered if I should put it in the bathroom trash, which gets put in the compost. I guess I should go dig it out =/
Nice to know about the SLS free toothpaste. BF refuses to use anything but colgate, and I go along with it, got fed up of paying more for supposedly natural toothpastes that had the same nasty ingredients. I’ll see if they have that one in the UK. Also I didn’t know you could recycle the container with the toothpaste residue. That helps.
I can’t help wondering what oral hygiene practice we’re supposed to do next? What oral wonder product will be released on to the market next? You can bet, whatever it is, it will be costly, take time, and will NOT make any *visible* difference to the whiteness and straightness of our snappers!
First it started with brushing our teeth. Fair enough.
But since I was a kid, the “improvements” have included flossing (does ANYONE over the age of 30 who isn’t a dentist actually, really-truly floss? I don’t), mouth washes, tongue brushes, gargles, electric toothbrushes (supposed to be better, depending on who you ask), tooth soap, tooth mousse, interdent sticks, and gum you’re supposed to chew to increase saliva production.
Oh, and then there’s fluoride in everything. Don’t get me started on that one.
Last year my 102 year old aunt died, with all her own teeth, and I’m damn sure she never flossed in her life. My parents (in their 60s) both have all their own teeth, yet they’ve neither of them ever flossed, moussed, gargled, sticked, tongue brushed, chewed or mouthwashed in their lives. Oh, and they’re healthy too – no nasty side effects from not doing any of the aforementioned.
I know you said you weren’t going to discuss the option of NOT flossing, Beth. But this is comments time (*healthy smiles*), and maybe the key to healthy teeth is eating healthy and avoiding all the crappy food and drink that rots our teeth and makes us sick, rather than trying to clean up the mess afterwards with a stack of expensive oral products.
For me, I think floss is a gimmick. As are all the other products, with the exception of basic toothpaste and a normal, cheaparse toothbrush.
BTW, I remember reading somewhere that discarded floss is starting to be a major cause of strangulation in sea birds. Is this true? I figure if anyone would know, it would be you.
Just my thoughts.
Hi Leanne. I appreciate your point of view. But the fact is that dental health is actually hereditary.
http://www.medschool.lsuhsc.edu/genetics_center/louisiana/article_oralcavity1.htm
I’m not surprised that all the members of your family have great smiles without flossing. You’ve got great genes!
For me, if I didn’t floss, I would lose my teeth to gum disease. I didn’t floss for years, and I ended up with terrible gingivitis and bleeding gums. I had to have several procedures, including root planing and laser treatments, to get them back into a healthy condition. Since I have been flossing regularly, the recessions have stopped, the bleeding has stopped, and my breath is a lot better.
It’s true that many people in the old days had fine teeth without flossing. But a lot more people ended up losing their teeth. Even George Washington wore false teeth! According to MSNBC, he started losing his teeth in his twenties. http://www.nbcnews.com/id/6875436/ I wonder if that would have happened if dental floss had been around back then. 🙂
I saw your picture of your supplies and realized my bathroom cabinet looks identical (with a blue Preserve brush, that is!). I just recently discovered the SLS-free version of Tom’s of Maine and my ever present sensitive teeth are feeling relieved! It’s funny, we take the harsh chemicals OUT of a product and we immediately feel better…
I was wondering the other day what to do about floss, but I guess there’s no getting around it. I just have to floss! I also use EcoDent so it’s really cool to see that you enjoy and promote it!
Is your mouth wash sold in grocery stores?
Thanks for this post!
Unfortunately, the mouth rinse can only be purchased through a dentist. But maybe if you ask, your dentist will order it for you.
Desert Essence also has a natural floss. It does, however, come in a plastic box. They also have a toothpaste, mouthwash and toothpicks.
Oh right. I forgot to mention Desert Essence. But it’s off limits to be too because of the plastic container. Do you know what the actual floss is made from?
How about tooth soap? The product is quite excellent, and if you get the peppermint version it’s really not awful. I know you’re thinking ew, soap, but it’s only the fragrance oils that are added to soaps that make them taste nasty. And your mouth feels CLEAN afterward. One of my friends took his daughter to the dentist after having switched to tooth soap, and got great remarks!
Why can’t you use something like a cotton embroidery floss on a wooden spool for flossing, rather than all this other stuff? Flossing is meant to clean between your teeth, which needs something soft and thin. I’d think it would be great – and can be composted. Cotton biodegrades quickly.
Why has no one done this yet? When I need to get something out of my teeth a thread is the first thing I look for – even if it’s a loose thread on my clothing.
Melanie, how do you keep tooth soap from spreading germs to others? I assume it is like a bar of soap, right? We use soap bars for washing our faces and bodies, and we use bar shampoo (Well, we did. Now we use baking soda.) as well as lotion bars. But I wonder about putting different toothbrushes into the same tooth soap. How does that work?
Also, I doubt embroidery floss would be strong enough. And since it’s not waxed, it might not slide in and out easily. The original dental floss was made from silk, but the silk industry is problematic. I’m guessing no one has ever made cotton dental floss because it won’t hold up well. But that’s just my guess. It might work in a pinch for a tooth or two. But will it really do the whole mouth top and bottom?
Thank you so much for posting this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is amazing.
Those compostable starch picks are made from monocropped GMO corn, over-fertilized, sprayed with pesticides, herbicides and other things that do more harm than a piece of recyclable plastic, IMHO. But I know plastic is your nemesis. Just another angle. I really like my Water Pik. I’ve had it for 15 years and it’s still going strong. It creates no waste and my dentist is pleased with it’s effectiveness for my particular mouth. I use Weleda toothpastes. Baking soda was way too drying for my gums.
Peggy, on the website, they say the starch is from tapioca, potatoes, and wheat. They don’t mention corn. But either way, I’m not in favor of any plastic picks (whether bio-based or petroleum-based), which I hope came across in my post. To me, plain floss is better anyway.
My hygenist recommends these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000XP4I3C/ref=oss_product
They do have a thin plastic wrapper, but the package is cardboard and the product is wood – so all compostable. It’s not exactly a substitute for floss, but sort of and it keeps your gums healthy.
Okay, Jen, you are going to have to explain that to me. We actually have a box of Stim-U-Dent in the medicine cabinet. I think they must be Michael’s. I never knew what they were for. But I just tried using them, and they don’t fit between my teeth like dental floss does. So I’m not sure how I could use them to clean between my teeth. Have you been using them? Can you enlighten me?
Beth!!!
I was just wondering about this this morning….thank you! the pick is so scary…and the kid dentist my kid goes to (age 4) gave a HUGE bag of them to us for him. scary.
thanks as usual!
sk