As we push for increased eco-friendly products, many individuals are reducing their footprint by switching to eco-friendly teeth cleaning solutions. However, as we continue this transition, there’s a key ingredient we’re unknowingly (or occasionally, knowingly) removing from this process that’s actually doing more harm than it is good.
That ingredient? You guessed it: fluoride.
While fluoride may simply seem like a stigmatized ingredient, it’s actually one of the most important ingredients to include in your dental cleaning process – a fact that organizations have been ignoring in the interest of the environment – and to the risk of your personal health.
It may seem like there is no alternative, but there is. So, before you ditch your current routine, make sure you’re replacing your products with ones that will get the job done right.
What Does Fluoride Do?
Fluoride is the best defense we have against cavities. Without getting too technical, fluoride deposits minerals into your enamel. These minerals then strengthen your teeth and prevent acid from breaking down your teeth: a problem that can result in cavities, gum disease, and tooth decay (source). Due to this, fluoride is directly linked to the prevention of these problems. In fact, fluoride can reduce your chances of tooth decay by as much as 25% throughout your lifetime (source).
Granted, fluoride in large quantities can be detrimental, but in terms of daily dental hygiene, dental professionals stress that it’s an absolute necessity (source).
While brushing your teeth every day is important, if you’re doing so without the added fluoride ingredient, you’re essentially scrubbing to no avail. This would be the equivalent of showering without soap – sure, you’re going through the motions, but you’re missing the most important element.
But Is It Bad for the Environment?
All that said, it’s impossible to avoid the elephant in the room: fluoride, in large quantities, is definitely damaging to the environment. And, more prominently, the plastics that are involved in the toothpaste creation process by large dental health companies are also harmful to the environment.
Fortunately, there are ways to ethically produce, source, and distribute fluoride that aren’t harmful to the environment. But before you start throwing your money at eco-friendly toothpaste solutions, make sure you look for products that contain ethically sourced fluoride.
Eco-Friendly Fluoride Tooth Products
When it comes to eco-friendly toothpaste with fluoride, you can have the best of both worlds; you just have to know where to look. From cruelty-free to recyclable containers to ethical sourcing, there truly is an eco-friendly toothpaste option for everything.
Here are a few of our top picks:
By Humankind Toothpaste Tablets, $12 (shop here)
Tired of the toothpaste tube? We don’t know about you, but getting that last bit out can be a little frustrating and wasteful. On top of that, toothpaste tubes aren’t the easiest to dispose of in an environmentally friendly way.
Introducing toothpaste tablets. This new and improved toothpaste is free of single-use plastic. From the compostable pouch to the easy-to-use tablets themselves, this product is perfect for that minimalist lifestyle. You can even buy a cute glass container for storing your toothpaste tablets. What’s not to love?
hello Naturally Whitening Fluoride Toothpaste, $4.79 (shop here)
If you’re not quite ready to ditch the toothpaste tube, hello has a farm-grown toothpaste that takes sustainable toothpaste ingredients to the next level. Though this affordable toothpaste isn’t as sustainable as the other ones on our list, it certainly beats some of the less sustainable options available out there.
Ben & Anna Toothpaste with Fluoride, $8.68 (shop here)
Not to be mistaken for Ben and Jerry’s, which will definitely not provide you with those cavity-free teeth, Ben & Anna have created a toothpaste that is like the ones you get from a tube, only it’s in a super stylish glass jar. This vegan toothpaste is cute, classy, and yes, it contains fluoride.