3 Tips for Going Green AND Keeping your Teeth Clean

3 Tips for Going Green AND Keeping your Teeth Clean

You want to take better care of your teeth, but you don't want to throw away plastic toothbrushes.

Here are three simple tips to help you live more sustainably while taking better care of your teeth:

1. Choose an eco-friendly toothbrush

2. Replace your toothbrush every 3 months

3. Choose tube-free toothpaste

It’s no secret that disposable plastic toothbrushes are terrible for the planet. They aren’t recyclable and every year over 3 billion toothbrushes end up in our landfill and oceans. Yuck!

Another problem with drugstore toothbrushes is that many of us don’t replace them regularly. Life is busy and remembering to replace your toothbrush every three months isn’t a priority.

The problem is that using a toothbrush with worn out or frayed bristles will damage your tooth enamel and gums and can eventually lead to gum disease.

1. Choose an eco-friendly toothbrush

There are toothbrush options available that aren’t as wasteful as plastic disposables. Our Grin toothbrush features a sleek, aluminum handle and replacement toothbrush heads made of recyclable plastic.

Because you keep the handle and only replace the toothbrush head, you’re using 85% less plastic than disposable toothbrushes.

2. Change your toothbrush every 3 months (or sooner)

Dentists recommend replacing your toothbrush every three months. If you’re an aggressive brusher then you may need to replace it sooner.

Using a toothbrush for too long leads to bristle breakdown, enamel damage, and bacterial overgrowth. In fact, a frayed toothbrush holds more bacteria, which can lead to infection and gingivitis.

In fact, a Harvard Medical School article states:

”Gum disease—which begins when the sticky, bacteria-laden film known as plaque builds up around your teeth—is closely linked to premature birth, heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic health problems.”

A simple, cost effective and time-saving way to ensure you’re using a fresh toothbrush is to choose a Grin toothbrush subscription. Once a year you’ll receive four fresh toothbrush heads and email reminders to replace your brush head on time.

☆☆☆☆☆

”Love This Toothbrush! I'm always looking for more sustainable items and the Grin Toothbrush was just perfect. Love it!

– Madison S.

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3. Choose tube-free toothpaste

Toothpaste tubes are another environmental problem. They aren’t recyclable due to using several layers of plastic and even metal.

A great new trend is toothpaste tablets. Unlike toothpaste, these little pills don’t contain any water so they don’t need preservatives. Plus, most are being made without many of the harmful chemicals that traditional toothpastes use.

Award-winning designer Simon Cooper created Grin because he realized that throwing away plastic toothbrushes was a real problem. He also though toothbrushes were cheap and ugly.

During the process of designing Grin, the team discovered that not only are disposable toothbrushes wasteful, but they are poorly designed. The ridges and grooves on the handles aren’t actually needed for grip and serve only to collect old toothpaste and bacteria.

Plus, the ‘ergonomic’ handle shape feels fine, but the second you put your toothbrush down, it will roll over, allowing your bristles to touch a potentially dirty bathroom surface.