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Reduce Your Carbon Footprint: Recycle Your Old Toothbrush!

Michael Wahl • July 16, 2019

In our last blog , we talked about why it really is necessary to replace your toothbrush every three months. As much as it may not look like it needs replacing, much of the danger is invisible to the naked eye. Many people are bothered by this short life cycle because of the effect this rate of consumption will have on the environment. We applaud your efforts to reduce your carbon footprint. You don’t have to sacrifice on your oral health to do it though! Here are some ideas to help you make use of old toothbrushes so you don’t have to worry so much about this good hygiene habit.

Rethink it

If you’re really concerned about your old toothbrushes, our first recommendation is to reconsider your choice. There are several toothbrushes you can buy that are made from more recycle-friendly or sustainable materials. Bamboo is a popular choice, although boar’s bristle brushes are also available. Either of these options will help reduce your impact on the environment without sacrificing your oral health.

Recycle it

TerraCycle and Preserve are two companies that recycle old (plastic) toothbrushes. It may not be as convenient as tossing it into any recycling bin, but you can make sure that plastic doesn’t end up in a landfill.

Reuse it

There are a lot of uses for toothbrushes that go beyond oral health. There is something so convenient about their tiny brush size that can help you reach tight spots. If you’re going to re-purpose your toothbrush, we recommend you let it soak in a bleach to kill off the germs. While you would never want to use a bleach-soaked toothbrush back in your mouth, it’s an effective solution for giving your toothbrush a happy second career. Here’s a non-exhaustive list for places we find that a toothbrush is just the perfect tool for the job.

  1. Shine your grout with baking soda
  2. Remove lint from the back of your hair dryer
  3. Clean dirt out from under fingernails
  4. Add to art supplies as a paintbrush
  5. Use in art projects to add texture to clay or play-dough
  6. Use as a eyebrow brush
  7. Clean out tough stains with a stain remover, lather with your old toothbrush
  8. Apply jewelry cleaner and get the dirt and grime from tiny crevices in your jewelry
  9. Pair with some degreaser to clean out your bike chain of grease and dirt

 

Now get out there and put all those retired toothbrushes to work! There are many choices for reducing your mouth’s carbon footprint that don’t result in a mouth full of cavities. Take the time to properly care for your toothbrush and replace it enough so it can do its job properly. Once it has fulfilled it’s main purpose, give it a second chance to be useful before to recycling it.

 

6 Dumb Ways to Lose Your Teeth

By Michael Wahl • September 1, 2020
Your teeth are not a tool. Ok, you might argue that your teeth ARE a tool for helping break down your food, clearly articulate words, and supporting your facial bone structure. And, you’d be right on those counts. What we mean here is a more basic idea of tool- an inanimate item which helps you… Continue Reading 6 Dumb Ways to Lose Your Teeth The post 6 Dumb Ways to Lose Your Teeth appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Is Nano Hydroxyapatite a Safe, Effective, Fluoride Alternative?

By Michael Wahl • August 25, 2020
If you listen to an oral care specialist for a hot minute, you’re likely to hear all about fluoride. Fluoride is the go-to preventative tool recommended by Amercian Dental Association. And with good reason! The introduction of fluoride has revolutionized oral health. However, it does have some downsides. Too much fluoride can lead to fluorosis,… Continue Reading Is Nano Hydroxyapatite a Safe, Effective, Fluoride Alternative? The post Is Nano Hydroxyapatite a Safe, Effective, Fluoride Alternative? appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Are you Brushing Too Hard?

By Michael Wahl • August 18, 2020
When you think of all the negative impacts of poor oral health, it can be easy to get aggressive with your brushing. Plaque build-up become tartar and can cause gum disease. Gum disease can lead to tooth loss and increases your risk of other more serious health problems. Plaque & tartar cause bad breath, dental… Continue Reading Are you Brushing Too Hard? The post Are you Brushing Too Hard? appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Mental Health & Oral Health: How They Impact One Another

By Michael Wahl • August 11, 2020
While you may not think about it, oral health and mental health are surprisingly interlinked. Negative oral health can have an impact on your mental health, just like poor mental heath has a negative effect on oral health. Let’s look closer at this interconnected relationship and consider some takeaways. Poor Oral Health’s Impact on Mental… Continue Reading Mental Health & Oral Health: How They Impact One Another The post Mental Health & Oral Health: How They Impact One Another appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Benefits of Using Mouthwash

By Michael Wahl • July 28, 2020
It’s late, after a long day. You’re probably ready to flop into bed and pass out. Sometimes after a long day of work, meticulous dental hygiene is at the bottom of your list. And we get it! Maybe you’ve often made the choice to skip mouthwash in favor of a quicker routine. But there are… Continue Reading Benefits of Using Mouthwash The post Benefits of Using Mouthwash appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Is Your Bad Breath A Symptom of a Serious Issue?

By Michael Wahl • July 21, 2020
Do you find yourself popping breath mints or gum in your mouth constantly? If you struggle with halitosis, or bad breath, there could be an underlying issue that needs to be addressed. We’ve covered common bad breath cures here. Start with these common solutions, but if you’re still plagued by bad breath, it’s time to… Continue Reading Is Your Bad Breath A Symptom of a Serious Issue? The post Is Your Bad Breath A Symptom of a Serious Issue? appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Is Black Mold the Real Cause of Your Tooth Decay?

By Michael Wahl • July 14, 2020
Tooth decay is a rampant issue among Americans. More than half of adolescents have at least one cavity. Cavities are the most common chronic disease for children 6-19. 9 out of 10 adults have tooth decay. Most of the attention to this issue focuses on diet as the main culprit. While diet is important, new… Continue Reading Is Black Mold the Real Cause of Your Tooth Decay? The post Is Black Mold the Real Cause of Your Tooth Decay? appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Extractions, Part 2: Caring for the Extraction Site

By Michael Wahl • July 7, 2020
So, you’ve had a tooth extracted. There are many reasons why this may have been the right choice, as you can read about in our blog from last week. You can have a huge impact on how well your mouth heals and your pain levels by caring for your tooth extraction site. While not every… Continue Reading Extractions, Part 2: Caring for the Extraction Site The post Extractions, Part 2: Caring for the Extraction Site appeared first on West One Family Dental.

What You Should Know About Tooth Extractions Part 1

By Michael Wahl • July 1, 2020
Teeth are an incredible asset. While we may be biased as dental professionals, take a minute to consider the usefulness of having your teeth! (Or, check out our blog here about the hazards of going without teeth!) However, there are times when the best decision for your health is to extract a tooth. Let’s take… Continue Reading What You Should Know About Tooth Extractions Part 1 The post What You Should Know About Tooth Extractions Part 1 appeared first on West One Family Dental.

Common Tongue Issues and What They Mean

By Michael Wahl • June 23, 2020
In many of our discussions of oral health we emphasize the importance of brushing and flossing all sides of your teeth. But what if you begin to notice that your tongue is looking different? Did you know that brushing your teeth should include a semi-regular brushing of your tongue as well? Your tongue can become… Continue Reading Common Tongue Issues and What They Mean The post Common Tongue Issues and What They Mean appeared first on West One Family Dental.
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