Best Eco-Friendly Dental Floss Picks

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Eco-Friendly Dental Floss Picks for a Sustainable Smile

Part of having a clean and healthy smile includes flossing every day. If you’re looking for a convenient way to do this, you might use dental flossers. But all of those little picks are creating a dangerous amount of waste. That’s just one reason why you should switch to one of these best eco-friendly dental floss picks.

This helpful guide will take a look at some of the serious health and environmental problems associated with traditional dental floss. Then you’ll learn about the top eco-friendly flossers so you can make a more sustainable choice.

Also, if you prefer traditional thread floss, be sure to check out our list of the best sustainable floss. You’ll find plenty of outstanding options that create absolutely no waste, including some vegan floss options!

The Problems With Traditional Dental Floss

Even though you use traditional dental floss to improve your oral health, it can hide some pretty yucky secrets that hurt both the environment and your health.

First, dental floss is usually made with nylon, which is a type of plastic. Not only can’t you recycle nylon, but it also takes hundreds of years to biodegrade.

You also can’t recycle plastic dental floss picks, which just leads to more pollution and overflowing landfills.

Plus, waste isn’t the only problem with traditional floss. To make it easier for floss to slide between your teeth, it’s often coated in chemicals. Unfortunately, studies have found that some common brands of dental floss have high levels of a chemical called perfuoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS.

PFAS has been linked to serious health issues that include certain types of cancers, fertility problems, high cholesterol, weight gain, and ulcerative colitis.

Is Zero Waste Floss Possible?

Now that you understand all of the problems associated with traditional dental floss, you’re probably wondering if there’s an eco-friendly alternative. Is zero waste floss even possible?

Well, like everything in life, you have several options. Each one has some advantages and disadvantages.

A water flosser (also called an oral irrigator) is an outstanding way to clean away food stuck between teeth. While it does use a minimal amount of water and electricity, it’s reusable, produces absolutely no plastic waste, and researchers say it’s incredibly effective at reducing plaque and preventing gum bleeding.

Of course, you can’t simply toss a water flosser in your purse or pocket, so it’s not exactly the best choice if you need something for on the go.

Biodegradable dental floss is easier to carry with you, especially if you choose one that comes in a stainless steel container. But since it can sometimes be thicker than traditional floss, some people with tight spaces between their teeth have trouble using it.

And that brings us to dental floss picks. They’re also a convenient size to bring along with you. However, you have to be very careful when looking for eco-friendly dental floss picks.

Many companies that advertise their dental picks as plant-based don’t mention that they include polypropylene (PP), which is a thermoplastic polymer that’s not recyclable or biodegradable. Plus, even though the handles might be biodegradable, most floss picks use traditional dental thread that you have to cut off and throw away.

If you decide to go with flossers, take a look at a few of these top eco-friendly dental floss picks to make a more sustainable choice.

1. Smartlifeco

Smartlifeco makes its biodegradable dental floss picks from straw wheat. Not only is straw wheat proven to be more ecological than corn-based picks, but they also require less material to produce, which means less pollution.

The dental floss is thin enough to fit in tight spaces between teeth, yet it’s also strong enough that it won’t shred while you’re using it. Plus, the pick has a toothpick end to help you remove even more food debris.

The vegan picks do not contain any PFAS or BPA. They’re waxed with a plant-based candellila wax and flavored with mint oil from actual mint leaves.

Best of all, everything — even the packaging — is made from sustainable materials. In addition to the mint picks, you can also get charcoal-infused dental picks.

2. Happy Eco

The non-toxic and sustainable flossers from Happy Eco are made out of cornstarch and free from PFAS, BPA, phthalates, parabens, and harsh chemicals. The picks were developed by dentists and have strong, thick floss on one end and a pointy tip at the other to help you remove food debris from those hard-to-reach spots.

The biodegradable dental floss picks are available in different styles, including single thread, double thread, and with a grip handle. They come packed in a 100% recyclable paper package.

Since this woman-owned, American company believes in creating a healthy world for all living creatures, the company will always be 100% vegan and they never test on animals. Plus, they give back to communities by being a proud supporter and partner with One Tree Planted.

3. EarthWise by Platypus Co.

Platypus Co. is a trusted brand in the oral care field. Now they’ve developed EarthWise natural dental flossers to help you take care of your oral hygiene while being gentler on the planet.

The plant-based, eco-friendly flossers are made from cornstarch with an extra-fine micro-thread floss. The floss is also unflavored, gluten-free, and vegan.

These cornstarch flossers easily start to breakdown at 140º F. Since the optimum temperature for compost piles is between 135° and 160° F, you can toss these in your backyard compost.

4. Clean Idea

The Clean Idea EcoFlosser is a biodegradable floss pick with handles made only with plant-based materials and no PP. This makes these eco-friendly dental floss picks both sustainable and biodegradable.

Plus, to help you reduce plastic waste even more, they come in plastic-free kraft paper packaging that you can recycle.

The shred-resistant floss isn’t coated with any artificial flavors, and the ergonomic design of the handle makes it easier for you to reach those tight places.

The Best Eco-Friendly Flossers

If you need the on-the-go convenience of a flosser, you don’t have to choose wasteful plastic ones. Instead, make the switch to one of these biodegradable floss picks and enjoy a healthy and clean smile while being kinder to the planet.

More Helpful Eco-Friendly Tips

Did you enjoy learning about the best eco-friendly dental floss picks? Interested in even more simple swaps you can make to live a sustainable life? Then please be sure to take a look at some of our other popular posts: