We hate cavities as much as the next person, but you know what’s even less fun than root canal? Climate change.
It’s time that cavity protection came in a low-waste package that protects both your teeth and the planet. Enter: sustainable dental products.
Besides, the best oral care options give us plenty to smile about—pearly whites aside. From eco-conscious electric toothbrushes to vegan dental floss, we’ve handpicked our favorites.
And these teeth cleaning tools not only have a lower-impact than their conventional counter-parts but they’re also made by brands who prioritize green business practices and sustainable packaging. That’s a breath of fresh, well, breath!
Speaking of fresh…
We’re freshening up all of our content in coming months by using our Brand Rating System. This system builds on our usual considerations like materials and ethical sourcing, but adds an array of other important eco-related factors to assess brands against, like carbon impact and commitments, responsible water usage and circularity. Your can read the full breakdown here.
We independently research all featured brands and we ask them to confirm their claims. In many cases we personally review recommended products. This post contains affiliate links which means we may earn a commission if you buy something. Learn more here.
Eco-Friendly Oral Care Products We Love Using
Sustainable Tomorrow’s electric bamboo toothbrush (that’s right, eco-friendly electric toothbrushes are a thing) leads the way by utilizing recycled plastics and biodegradable materials in an effective package that delivers serious teeth-cleaning power.
Huppy’s toothpaste tablets excel in sustainability. They use the most natural ingredients and formulas we’ve ever tested, which include the likes of bamboo charcoal and essential oils. We especially love the handy little travel tin they come in too.
Index: Best Sustainable Oral Care Products
- Sustainable Tomorrow Jump to brand
- EcoRoots Jump to brand
- Huppy Jump to brand
- Davids Jump to brand
- Blue Haven Holistics Jump to brand
- Bite Jump to brand
- ZeroWasteStore.com Jump to brand
Sustainable Tomorrow
Price Range: $80–$100
Traditional manual toothbrushes, while effective, admittedly can’t match the cleaning power of their electric counterparts.
Studies from the Journal of Clinical Periodontology highlight the superiority of electric brushes in reducing gingival recession and maintaining overall oral health.
And while anything with electric components is naturally going to have a higher impact than its manual counterpart, Sustainable Tomorrow’s electric toothbrushes bring an eco-friendly twist to this dental revolution.
These toothbrushes are reshaping our approach to oral hygiene and offer a user-friendly design made of FSC-certified bamboo brush head and the same bamboo casing for the handle body. The sleek and modern aesthetic make them a stylish addition to any bathroom.
Plus, their long-lasting battery life means you can rely on them for consistent performance, even when traveling. And of course, the batteries are rechargeable.
My Personal Review of Sustainable Tomorrow’s Electric Toothbrush:
“After using Sustainable Tomorrow’s electric toothbrush for a few months now, I can say it’s not only comfortable and easy to use but also remarkably intuitive. The most superior cleaning performance for any electric alternative I’ve tried. The design is simple yet ergonomic, it fits snugly in my hand, so overall a pretty comfortable brushing experience.
The bristles are gentle yet effective, which make them ideal for my sensitive teeth and gums. The adjustable settings (think: 5 cleaning modes with 3 levels of intensity delivering up to 40 000 vibrations per minute) are handy as I can personalize my brushing experience, depending on how furry my teeth feel (especially at the end of the day).”
Review by Deidre Maene, SJ Writer
EcoRoots
Price Range: $15–$20
Haven’t embraced the buzz?
That’s okay; it’s not for everyone, but you can still brush better by switching from conventional plastic toothbrushes to manual sustainable toothbrushes.
EcoRoots’ toothbrushes feature a minimalist design and a 100% compostable bamboo handle, while the soft, recyclable nylon bristles are still robust enough to remove plaque.
While you have to remove the bristles to compost the rest, the bamboo handles alone can help reduce the bulk of plastic waste from the one billion plastic toothbrushes thrown away every year in the United States alone.
That creates a staggering 50 million pounds of waste —especially given the American Dental Association’s recommendation to replace toothbrushes every three months, or when the bristles have frayed.
EcoRoots’ packaging is also plastic-free, being completely plant based and recyclable, and shipping is carbon offset.
Huppy
Price Range: $6–$45
Zero waste toothpaste tablets are revolutionizing dental care, offering all the perks of traditional toothpaste, but with far less waste and much more convenience.
Huppy’s tablets a prime example. They are a 100% plant-based, all-natural option available in exciting flavors like Charcoal Mint, Cool Mint, and Watermelon Strawberry.
They stand out because they replace fluoride with nano-hydroxyapatite (nHap), a NASA-developed, calcium-rich mineral great for teeth strengthening and plaque prevention.
My Personal Review of Huppy’s Toothpaste Tablets:
“I found Huppy’s tablets actually the most foamy out of all the natural toothpastes I’ve ever tried (and I’ve tried a lot!). Safe to say they’re a personal favorite of mine. There’s just something about a mouth full of foam that makes our teeth feel clean (maybe it’s being habituated to conventional toothpaste)!
That aside, they’re super easy to use, perfect for travel, and have a nice subtle flavor that doesn’t hang around too long after brushing.”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
Davids
Price Range: $5–$12
Toothpaste, the cornerstone of daily dental care, is undergoing a sustainable transformation.
Even if you’re not a fan of toothpaste tablets, brands like Davids and Green Beaver are setting new standards with their environmentally-conscious toothpaste in the same pasty form you know and love.
Davids toothpaste comes with no plastic tubes and steps up with recyclable metal toothpaste tubes. Thanks to coconut charcoal for safe whitening, Nano-Hydroxyapatite for sensitive teeth, and other USA-sourced and EWG Verified ingredients, these pastes are just as effective as leading conventional toothpaste brands.
Our Personal Review of David’s Fluoride-Free Toothpastes:
“My husband and I have tested all of their flavors, and while we can’t say we’re personally a fan of the sweeter watermelon, it would be great for kiddos who otherwise hate brushing their teeth. We appreciate that all options are fluoride-free, and while this formula doesn’t deliver a lot of foam, it leaves our teeth feeling just as clean as your average Colgate.
But our favorite feature of these metal toothpaste tubes? A metal key you turn to squeeze every last drop from the tube, instead of wasting precious toothpaste.”
Review by Amber McDaniel, SJ’s Head of Content
Blue Haven Holistics
Price Range: $24–$30
The Dirt’s mouthwash, rooted in Ayurvedic traditions, uses coconut and sesame oils to combat plaque and refresh your mouth. Plain old coconut oil works for this as well, but The Dirt’s formula sure makes the 20 minutes of switching more pleasant with its minty fresh addition of peppermint oil.
It’s crafted without any artificial colors, dyes, preservatives, chemicals, parabens, minerals, or fillers, aligning with a commitment to pure and natural oral care.
Bite
Price Range: $20–$24
Here to shake up our swishing routine, zero waste mouthwash tablets are some of the best eco-friendly dental products to cut down on the bulk and waste associated with plastic mouthwash bottles.
These nifty little tabs from Bite simply dissolve in water to create mouthwash. Which slashes plastic and the carbon footprint associated with the transportation.
Made from natural ingredients like baking soda and essential oils, these tablets offer a convenient, travel-friendly, and eco-conscious approach to oral hygiene.
ZeroWasteStore.com
Price Range: $9–$15
Diving into some lesser-known dental care hacks, tongue scraping is an oral hygiene practice that involves gently scraping the tongue to remove bacteria, food debris, and dead cells from the surface.
Not only does this practice help prevent bad breath, but it improves taste sensation, and promotes overall oral health.
ZeroWasteStore.Com is a good choice for tongue scrapers due to their use of high-quality stainless steel designed to effectively remove toxins and residue from the tongue surface. And it comes packaged completely sans plastic.
