Are you Green-Washing your Teeth? Find Plastic-Free Ways to Brush Your Teeth

(Disclaimer: Some of our recommended products contain affiliate links. See our policy on product recommendations and affiliate links here.)

Plastic-free Toothbrushes that are not Greenwashed

Halloween was just a few weeks ago, so we thought we should talk about plastic-free dental hygiene. 

Making the switch to plastic-free dental products isn’t just a trend—it’s a meaningful way to reduce waste and environmental impact, while also aligning with healthier materials for your mouth. Here are a few of the key reasons:

• Many conventional toothbrushes and floss containers are made of polypropylene or nylon and end up in landfills or being incinerated. One estimate: over 23 billion toothbrushes are discarded each year. (Reference: Harvard)
• Toothpaste tubes often contain layered plastics and aluminium, making them difficult or impossible to recycle. (Reference: The Guardian)
• Materials like bamboo, silk, glass or metal packaging, and fibre-based floss give you effective oral care and reduce plastic waste.
• Choosing plastic-free alternatives supports broader sustainability goals: less microplastics released, simpler recycling, and encouraging brands to design smarter. (Reference: Plastic Pollution Coalition) 

So, with that in mind, let’s dive into top product recommendations for a plastic-free dental routine.

We used to sell a wooden plastic toothbrush featuring ethically-sourced boar hair. It was made in Germany by manufacturer Redecker and made with top quality components. You can still find it on their website but you'll have to order it from Germany. (Link to the toothbrush)

A company called Primals sells wooden bamboo toothbrushes with bristles made with either boar hair or horse hair - very natural and quite comfortable to the gums from our experience. You can also get a vegan version with plant-based bristles made of castor bean oil but to be honest, the processing techniques used to create such bristles are questionable and we are not sure if they are really better than plastic-based bristles. Without credible explanations on exactly how the bristles are made and with what precise materials, it looks a bit like greenwashing to us.

There are also more traditional "out of the box" ways of cleaning your teeth, like getting a chewing stick from trees like neem or babool. These are promoted by Ayurveda, the ancient Indian healing system, as a natural way to clean your teeth (Reference: Times of India). You may find a few options on Etsy such as this one.

But how about just using a thin cotton face towel? The challenge is to reach the back teeth and make sure every tooth is taken care of. This is how we clean babies' new teeth!

With Toothpaste, it's all about the Packaging

You can make your own toothpaste and avoid the packaging. Here's a quick recipe:

If you want to explore a new way to brush your teeth, you may want to try tooth tablets, such as these ones from Georganics. Chantal does not particularly like them because they feel kind of chalky in the mouth. You need to chew the tablet and let it dissolve in your mouth and then brush your teeth with a toothbrush.

How to Choose & Use Plastic-Free Dental Products

Here are some factors to keep in mind as you build a plastic-free dental routine:

1. Read the packaging & materials

• Is the toothbrush handle made of wood? If so, you may compost it or burn it safely at the end of its useful life, provided its bristles are natural. 

• Are the bristles made of an entirely natural material that grows in nature such as animal hair or natural fibers? 

• Toothpaste/ powder: is the container glass or metal? Is the lid also made of metal or glass? Are there refill options?

2. Make sure the bristles are soft enough for your gums

• Some eco-products sacrifice comfort for eco-friendliness. Some vegetable fibers might be too hard for your teeth. We find that boar bristles, which soften when soaked in warm water are a great alternative to nylon bristles. 
  

3. Check for sustainability claims vs reality

• “Plastic-free” is sometimes used loosely. Some products may still have small plastic parts or nylon bristles and/or plastic packaging.

• Look for clear ingredients or material listings, and packaging details.
  

4. Transition gradually if needed

• If you’re used to a certain toothbrush or toothpaste, switching everything at once may feel odd. You could begin with one item (e.g., toothbrush) and then move to toothpaste.

• You may want to consult your dentist, especially if you have existing dental issues or need fluoride in your dental routine.

5. Disposal and end-of-life

• Wooden toothbrush handles can often be composted or burned at the end of their useful life.

• Toothpaste tablets/powders: empty containers may be glass or metal and more easily recycled than traditional tubes.

More on the subject

Switching to plastic-free dental products is a meaningful way to reduce your personal waste footprint without sacrificing dental health. The key is to choose products that are both effective and sustainably packaged and made with natural and compostable materials.

To read more on the subject, check out the "Toothbrushes, Toothpaste and Floss" section from our book at pages 86 and 87. 

To read a former post we wrote on the subject, see: 5 Alternatives to Plastic Oral Hygiene