Best Plastic Free Toothbrushes And Floss To Avoid Microplastic Exposure

Toothbrushes and floss - a sneaky source of microplastics.

According to a recent study in 2023 on the release of microplastics from daily use of plastic-bristled toothbrushes, it has been estimated that thousands of these particles can break off every day directly into your gums and mouth. 

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Additionally, PFAs (often referred to as ‘forever chemicals’) and PTFEs (commonly known as Teflon) have been found in most brands of dental floss, usually added for their water resistant properties to easily glide between teeth. Like toothbrush bristles, this floss provides direct exposure of plastics along our gums and in our mouth.

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Although it might not be the greatest individual source of microplastics in the human body, using plastic toothbrushes and conventional plastic floss should be reconsidered if you plan on taking every step you can to effectively reduce your consumption of microplastics.

Why are microplastics bad for us?

Microplastics are at the root of a growing worldwide health epidemic. Their chemical properties can disrupt hormones and development, fertility, respiratory health, gut microbiome balance, and even cause cancer in longer exposures.

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Note on finding real ‘plastic free’ toothbrushes and dental floss.

While researching this topic, it was shocking how many dental products advertised as ‘plastic free’ in their title or description, but still contained plastic. 

A lot of these options ended up being toothbrushes with recyclable wooden handles, but still utilized nylon for their bristles. Nylon is a plastic that can shed microplastics, especially when washed and in abrasive environments such as brushing against hard teeth.

If you are doing your own research on finding plastic-free toothbrushes or toothbrushes without plastic bristles, pay close attention to the description of the bristle material. Many of these products on Amazon, for example, will say ‘100% recyclable’, or ‘plastic-free’, but then gloss over the fact that they are still using nylon bristles. 

Furthermore, almost all commercial dental flosses use a nylon blend advertised as ‘natural and plant based’, which is technically true, but could still be coated with PFAs and PTFEs.

That being said, we have found two options for truly plastic-free toothbrushes and two non-plastic dental floss products.

Best Fully Non-Plastic Toothbrushes

Budget Pick: Gaia Guy Natural Boar Bristle Bamboo Toothbrush - the most common replacement for plastic-based nylon bristles are boar hair, which is thick and stiff, making it a great natural substitute. This product comes in a pack of six for a little over $20, making it a great budget option if you want to try organic toothbrushes.

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Quality Pick: PRIMALS Boar Bristle & Bamboo Toothbrush - PRIMALS supplies a quality construction wooden handle that is easier to stand upright in the bathroom, complete a water-proof painted bottom to increase the lifespan of the brush.

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Best Plastic-Free Dental Floss

Best Bamboo Floss: ME MOTHER EARTH Vegan Biodegradable Bamboo Charcoal Dental Floss - this bamboo charcoal fiber is waxed to provide a smooth glide while remaining completely free of polyester and other plastics.

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Best Silk Floss: Biöm Silk Expanding Dental Floss - another plastic-free alternative, silk, is used as floss in this product with a relatively large thickness to get the deepest plaque out from between your teeth without putting PTFEs back in.

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As our research expands, we will continue adding to this list to provide more plastic-free options for dental hygiene at an affordable price.

Don’t forget to brush your tongue with a plastic-free scraper.

While we are on the topic of plastic-free dental care, we will also mention the importance of a non-plastic tongue scraper.

Tongue scrapers are essential for removing bad bacteria from your tongue, which is responsible for bad breath. Opt for a metal tongue scraper to prevent plastics from breaking off every time you use it.

Metal Tongue Scraper: Cafhelp 2-Pack Stainless Steel Tongue Scraper - completely metal construction tongue scraper that effectively removes gunk and is easy to clean and care for.

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How to continue reducing your microplastic exposure.

We have created a guide that breaks down the steps you can take to decrease your microplastic ingestion, inhalation, and absorption by purchasing water filters, replacing cookware, and more.

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