Eco-Friendly Toothpaste alternatives

We all have a nightly routine.

Brush your teeth, floss (or so you tell your dentist) and then a swig of mouthwash to keep your teeth clean and cavity-free.

While it is certainly in your best interest to make a priority of dental hygiene, here is an impact on the environment that we must consider. Look around your bathroom and you'll see one thing nearly every product has in common: plastic.

Is toothpaste bad for the environment?

Toothpaste itself is not usually bad for the environment (though some can contain harmful chemicals). It's the packaging though that is hurting our planet.

No doubt you are familiar with the harm plastic does to the environment, but here are some quick facts to help illustrate that point further:

• Every year 1.5 billion toothpaste tubes end up in landfills, and that plastic waste needs about 500 years to degrade
• Blue coloring (like the kind used by Colgate) is harmful to marine life when it gets into our waterways

At the rate we're going, by 2050 there will be more plastic than fish in our oceans. Let that one sink in.

Before you squeeze that toothpaste onto your toothbrush, take a moment to review these eco-friendly toothpastes and toothpaste alternatives to help cut down on waste and harmful chemicals.

What are eco-friendly alternatives to toothpaste?

Eco-friendly toothpaste comes in a couple common options:

• Tablets
• Jars

Toothpaste tablets dissolve in water and turn into a paste (a tooth paste, if you will) which can be brushed on your teeth like ordinary toothpaste. Jarred toothpaste will look and work just like the stuff in the tube, except it comes in a jar which can be re-used or recycled.

Are toothpaste tablets as effective as regular toothpaste?

Chewable toothpaste tablets are a wonderful eco-friendly substitute for toothpaste in a tube, but are they as effective?

There are mixed opinions. Some sources claim they are just as effective as tubed toothpaste, while others claim they are not quite as effective. For what it's worth, toothpaste tablets have not yet been approved by the American Dental Association, which is another strike agains them. At worst, they are a decent substitute in a pinch or when you are traveling - which is not exactly a bad thing.

To hedge yourself, make sure the toothpaste you choose has fluoride. Fluoride is scientifically proven to fight cavities and prevent plaque buildup - key components of a good toothpaste and dental hygiene routine. Or swap them in and out with regular toothpaste to cut back a bit on your plastic waste rather than use them as a full replacement.