Toothbrushes
Replace your plastic toothbrush with a bamboo or wood alternative. Most have nylon bristles, but a few brands use biodegradable plant-based plastic for example the Truth Brush.
Repurpose old brushes for cleaning tasks — they make great nailbrushes or can be used to clean tricky areas around taps and plugholes.
If you have a bamboo or wooden one, use pliers to remove the bristles, then compost the wooden handle.
If you don't like the feeling of a wooden brush in your mouth, try a toothbrush made from recycled plastic or a
toothbrush system with replaceable heads.
Are you feeling adventurous?
Try a miswak (Salvadora Persica) root or olive (Olea Europaea) stick to clean your teeth. These trees products have natural antimicrobial and antibacterial properties.
Miswak takes a bit of getting used to, as the cleaning motion is quite different from regular brushing, but it does leave your teeth feeling really clean!
Both options are available from Natural Spa Supplies.
Interdental Care
To get clean in between your teeth, use natural dental floss in a refillable glass jar. But be aware that some natural dental floss is made from silk, which isn't vegan.
UK brand Georganics use cruelty-free natural silk which is harvested after the silk worms have hatched.
Watch out for floss marketed as being 'plastic-free' and made from 'natural corn' – it is actually made from bio-based plastic, polylactic acid.
It's now also possible to buy interdental brushes with bamboo handles. Try WooBamboo for options.
Toothpaste & Oral Hygiene Products
A wide range of natural toothpastes are available in glass jars—some brands also supply a small bamboo spatula to apply it to your brush.
Toothpaste tablets are another way of saying goodbye to plastic toothpaste tubes, with the advantage of being lightweight which makes them great for travelling with.
Just pop a toothpaste tablet into your mouth and chew it before brushing with a moistened toothbrush!
Mouthwash
For extra fresh breath, concentrated mouthwash drops in a glass bottle are a good alternative to mainstream mouthwash. Check out options from Weleda.
Mouthwash tablets are another great option for travelling light, just dissolve a tablet in a small amount of water and use in the same way as regular mouthwash.
Oil pulling is a traditional Indian oral health practice which can be used instead of conventional mouthwash.
A tablespoonful of oil (usually coconut) is vigorously 'pulled' around the mouth for up to twenty minutes before being disposed of in a tissue. Studies show that this is an effective way of reducing oral bacteria.
If you suffer from gingivitis or peridontitis, ask your dentist about rinsing with a diluted hydrogen peroxide solution instead of medicated mouthwash — it is available in glass bottles at most pharmacies.