Adopting eco-friendly habits is a great way to reduce your environmental impact. All this should be done with a clear goal of saving our planet and environment for both us and future generations.
According to the good folk over at Ecofam, one area where you can make a simple, yet meaningful change is with your oral care routine and by switching to toothpaste tablets. These innovative tooth cleaning products are gaining popularity as people become more conscious of reducing plastic waste and embracing sustainable solutions. Toothpaste tablets offer a zero-waste alternative to your traditional toothpaste tubes and formulas.
‘Conventional’ toothpaste usually comes in plastic tubes or pumps that contribute to plastic waste. Even if you recycle the containers, they often contain a mixture of ingredients that aren’t very sustainable or natural.
In contrast to this, toothpaste tablets provide a zero-waste oral care solution by cutting out the need for tubes and most of the artificial additives found in regular pastes.
What Exactly Are Toothpaste Tablets?
Essentially, toothpaste tablets are small dissolvable tablets that are made from eco-friendly ingredients that you chew to create a foamy paste for brushing. They work just like regular toothpaste but in solid tablet form.
The Main Ingredients
While formulas vary between brands, toothpaste tablets generally contain:
- Mild abrasives like calcium carbonate or hydrated silica to gently scrub away plaque and surface stains.
- Mineral-derived bindings agents like sodium bicarbonate (baking soda).
- Natural flavors like mint or cinnamon for a pleasant taste.
- Essential oils with antibacterial properties like thymol or menthol.
- Many brands also include re-mineralizing agents like xylitol or hydroxyapatite to help strengthen enamel.
The Benefits of Using Toothpaste Tablets
Zero-Waste Oral Care
The most obvious perk is that toothpaste tablets are zero-waste, eco-friendly, and sustainable oral care products. They typically come in glass jars, metal tins, or compostable packaging with no plastic waste.
Long-Lasting and Travel-Friendly
One container of toothpaste tablets can last 3-6 months depending on the brand, making them very economical. Their compact size also makes them perfect for traveling and on-the-go use.
More Natural Ingredient List
Traditional toothpaste brands often contain artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, and other questionable ingredients. With toothpaste tablets, you usually just get simple, natural and plant-derived ingredients.
How to Use Toothpaste Tablets
Using toothpaste tablets is really refreshingly straightforward:
- Take 1-2 tablets from the container and place them in your mouth.
- Chew or crush the tablets with your teeth to allow them to dissolve and foam up into a paste.
- Begin brushing as normal with a wet toothbrush, focusing on one section at a time.
- Spit out the excess paste when finished brushing.
- Rinse your mouth thoroughly with water.
Brushing with tablets may take a little getting used to, but most find them just as effective as regular toothpaste at cleaning teeth and freshening breath.
Finding the Right Toothpaste Tablet Brand
With the rising demand for sustainability, many health stores and online retailers now sell a variety of toothpaste tablet brands to choose from. Here a few tips for selecting one:
- Look for brands that use mostly natural and plant-derived ingredients you recognize.
- Check if they are fluoride-free or contain added fluoride if that’s your preference.
- Consider things like flavor options, tablet size/texture, and whether they contain whiteners.
- Compare prices and see if they offer bulk sizing or subscription options to save money.
In Conclusion
Making the switch to toothpaste tablets is an easy way to “green” your oral care routine while still getting that fresh clean feeling. Embracing zero-waste oral care like toothpaste tablets means you can significantly reduce plastic waste without compromising your dental hygiene. Making small sustainable swaps like this adds up to make a meaningful positive impact on the environment over time. Why not give this modern yet simple tooth cleaning method a try?