Mostly Plastic Free Oral Hygiene Routine

It’s amazing what paying a little more attention can show you. For example, when I paid more attention to my oral hygiene routine, I started to notice just how much plastic was involved in my every. day. activities.

First it was a plastic toothpaste container, then the toothbrush, then the mouthwash, the floss container, the SINGLE USE flossers. I found that plastic was aaaall over my bathroom.

If you’re looking to reduce the plastic use in your oral hygiene, read on for the current items found in my routine.

• Coconut Oil Pulling: I do this once a week first thing in the morning before brushing my teeth. It reduces inflammation and bad breath, aids in killing harmful bacteria, and naturally whitens teeth. It took me a while to jump on board with this, but I am so glad that I did! I purchased my coconut oil from Whole Foods and it really does melt very quickly once it's in your mouth. (Be sure to spit the coconut oil in a trash bin or glass container as the oil will solidify and may clog drains.)
• Toothpaste: I found Bite Toothpaste Bits quite a while ago and they were the first thing I introduced into my no plastic routine. Once I discovered we no longer needed the messy plastic tubes, I thought, there must be other things that I can ditch in this bathroom. This post is really all thanks to discovering Bite!
• Toothbrush: Yes, I jumped on the bamboo toothbrush train. No, it wasn't for me. Maybe it was the specific brand I was using, but I found this toothbrush to be less effective and to become very worn very quickly. I love the idea of a bamboo toothbrush, but if I'm going through them once a month, it doesn't feel so sustainable to me. This is wear my MOSTLY plastic free part comes in. I found Radius Toothbrushes when I was looking for another option. A women owned and operated company, Radius products are manufactured in the USA, they are compostable, biodegradable, and 100% recyclable and their toothbrushes last up to 9 months as compared to the typical 3 months. I opted for their Source brush which has a replaceable head and an upcycled handled. You can purchased this toothbrush on Grove Collaborative and get a bonus 5 piece gift set using this link!*
• Tongue Scraper: Also aids in reducing bad breath and removing harmful bacteria. Can improve your sense of taste. I usually do this once a week too, sometimes more (it's EXCELLENT for a hangover). I purchased this stainless steel scraper on Amazon last March and have been loving it ever since.
• Mouthwash: This one is almost ALWAYS found in plastic bottles. That's why I make my own mouthwash using three ingredients: filtered water, On Guard essential oil blend, and Peppermint essential oil. To find my exact recipe and purchased your essential oils, head to this past blog post.​

• Floss: I may have forgotten to include it in the group photo, but that certainly does not mean this isn't one of the most important parts of this list! I found this floss when I was looking for a plastic free option. Before I was seeing them pop up in stores, I found a glass option online. It showed up shattered. Alas, I found this plastic free, vegan floss (previously sold on Grove Collaborative). Is it as convenient as the plastic floss container? Yes. Is it as convenient as the individual plastic flossers? No, and while one of the biggest issues when it comes to living more sustainability is not wanting to give up convenience (i.e. plastic water bottles, shopping bags, etc.), switching over your floss is a great place to start. 

What changes have you made to your everyday routine to reduce the single use in your home? Where do you find yourself with single use items most frequently? Is it at work, while you travel, when you have less free time? I'd love to hear where you're in need of some ideas/assistance and we can formulate the perfect plan together. Let me know on our Facebook page. 

...to a future that stays green.
- jamie

*May contain an affiliate link meaning I may receive a small commission if you purchase using this link. This post, however, is not a sponsored post.