Natural or Green Dental Products

February 10, 2021

dental care

As with every other aspect of life, there has been a recent rise in the offerings of natural or “green” dental products. Some people are drawn to these dental products for environmental reasons, while others prefer to avoid harsh chemicals.

Rise in Popularity

There is nothing new about natural dental products. Tom’s of Maine, for example, has been selling natural toothpaste since 1975. That being said, it was relatively hard to find “green” or “natural” dental products until relatively recently.

About a decade ago, natural and herbal toothpaste accounted for an almost negligible amount of the oral care market. Today, that market is worth $2 billion, with natural and herbal toothpaste accounting for about 20 percent of it.

Scientists have paid attention to the demand and have conducted various studies looking at the effects of natural and herbal products on herbal health, including a review that looked at 16 of these studies from 2000 to 2015.

Defining “Natural”

Anyone who is considering using natural dental products should be fully aware that the FDA does not certify any toothpaste. This means that companies can get away with using the term “natural” in any sense that they want. Toothpaste that the U.S. Department of Agriculture certifies must follow some guidelines. The best toothpaste will also have American Dental Association assessments.

Benefits of Natural or Green Dental Products

There are also numerous advantages commonly associated with using natural dental products, both for the planet and for those who use them.

To begin with, natural mouthwashes and toothpaste tend to be gentle, working well even for those who have sensitive mouths. The lack of harsh ingredients or chemicals in the toothpaste, mouthwash, and other products not only makes them gentler on sensitive mouths, but it also helps the planet. There are no chemicals to run off into the groundwater.

Some of the other potential benefits of natural dental products include their use of proven botanicals and other time-tested ingredients, being highly effective, and having little to no risk if you accidentally ingest them.

Products Being Used

When most people think of natural dental products, they instantly picture toothpaste. There are also other “natural” trends in dental care, including mouthwash, floss, and toothbrushes. A common example of the latter is bamboo toothbrushes that are better for the planet than plastic ones yet still just as effective. Many of the natural flosses replace nylon fibers with natural silk and rely on natural waxes instead of chemicals. There are also natural tongue scrapers, breath fresheners, and whitening products.

Examples

A quick online search can easily show you plenty of natural dental products, such as the following examples. You will notice that the ingredients tend to vary, but they all tend to be free from harsh chemicals, and most do not include fluoride either.

Bite Toothpaste Bits

These Bite Toothpaste Bits are part of a growing trend of tablets that are designed to offer an alternative to toothpaste. You put a capsule inside your mouth, then use a wet toothbrush, so you still benefit from the scrubbing action but don’t have to worry about getting those last drops out of the toothpaste tube. The most important ingredients for cleaning teeth in these bites are kaolin and baking soda.

Hello Toothpaste

Hello is a vegan toothpaste that does not have artificial flavors, artificial sweeteners, or dyes. Its main ingredients are calcium carbonate, hydrated silica, coconut oil, tea tree oil, and peppermint. It also has erythritol, sodium cocoyl, and zinc citrate.

Luminex Oral Essentials Mouthwash

This is an example of a natural mouthwash, as it features Dead Sea salt and is formulated by a dentist. It also uses holy basil oil as well as aloe vera juice.

Public Goods Toothpaste

Public Goods Toothpaste is free from phthalates, parabens, fluoride, and ingredients from formaldehyde. The enamel gets cleaned with silica and calcium carbonate while the peppermint oil freshens the breath.

If you live in the Chicagoland area and would like to inquire with our team of doctors about the best green products to suite your lifestyle, or you’re looking for another dental service—from general dentistry to specialty services—feel free to schedule an appointment with us at American Dental! Visit our appointment page today to find the closest location to you and schedule your first appointment.

You might also like

{"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}