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BANG FOR THE BITE
Recycled toothbrushes seem expensive – they average about $6 a brush while conventional manual brushes sell for about $3. Dig deeper though: you will need to buy fewer brushes each a year.
COCKTAIL FACT
The first bristle brush was invented in the 15th century by the Chinese, using hair from the neck of a boar for its bristles.
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home › tip library › Eco-friendly Toothbrushes
Want to share your toothbrush with multiple people?
The Bite
Brush your teeth using state-of-the-art toothbrushes that once had a past life. (And no – we're not talking about used bristles). New brushes are made with high-end design and recycled materials, lasting longer and reducing waste.The Benefits
- Better brushing through design – Clinically tested and dentist approved brushes are designed to make brushing easier and more enjoyable so you take better care of your teeth.
- Less waste – high-design recycled brushes last 2-3 times longer than normal.
- Recycled and recyclable handles of the toothbrushes can eventually be recycled again into plastic lumber. Plastic lumber is virtually maintenance free and lasts for 50 years. (You may have seen it used on decks.)
Personally Speaking
We’re actually waiting for Jen’s dentist brother, Peter, to give us the go-ahead that these are going to outperform our current brushes so that we maintain our Biting choppers. He however is taking care of patients, so bug him and comment on today’s blog entry.Wanna Try?
- Radius – a variety of recycled and recyclable toothbrushes. You can buy individual brushes or bulk packs of up to six.
- Preserve Toothbrush – encourages returning used toothbrushes to be recycled again.
Nov 15,2005
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All editorial suggestions in this tip are the result of testing and a preference for the tip topic. No advertiser has paid to have its company referenced in the tip. For more information, please read our Editorial Policy.
Brusha Brusha Brusha
Yo, this is Pete, Jen’s brother. I have never blogged before but my bossy Biting big sis is making me. Here is what I say about this whole green thing:
Our dental office is considered more "green" than most. At my sister’s insistence, we opted to have bamboo flooring instead of hardwoods, digital x-rays and photographs instead of chemical developing, and a paperless office to reduce deforestation. I have never really been green, per se, and quite honestly I have always chided Jen by calling her ‘treehugger’ – but guess what? This green thing is actually cool. Patients like the atmosphere here, and I feel better about spending most of my days in doors.
We actually took the idea of “green” to the next level, so it could mean “lush” – and so developed spa-like features with the help of a fung shui consultant (yes, this too at my sister’s insistence).
Business is pretty healthy already, in all senses of the word. If you are in the Atlanta area drop by and we will give you a free teeth whitening if you become a new client. Just say, “the Biters sent me” - and you will the spa treatment while getting your choppers whitened with non-chem, state of the art procedures. (You can see the office photos and location, here: http://www.AtlantaDentalSpa.com.)
Off to replace more mercury fillings from my patients’ mouths –
Pete
Biter Comments...
Hello Peter.
I just read your post, and visited your website, I think. I will try to look for a recycled toothbrush, but I tend to agree with the comment by SM to replace toothbrushes. I generally try to replace my toothbrush when I notice that bristles bent over like wheat talks in the wind, or when the overnight buildup remains on my teeth after I've completed brushing.
Another question . . . do you have any opinion about the notion to brush our teeth with bar soap? I got an email several months ago about this. I tried it for a while, and did notice that my teeth felt "cleaner" after brushing. But there seems to be a contention about calcium replenishment as well as the continuing debate about flouride use.
Nice to meet you. . . . . would appreciate your feedback . . . between bites :-)
Regards,
Ibrahim Siddiq
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
From what I have read and from speaking with dental professionals, using electric toothbrushes (with an oscillating head) tends to be recommended and more effective at removing plaque than a manual toothbrush.
From a resources usage point of view, it would seem that using an electric toothbrush with a replacable head (so you're not tossing - or having to recycle - the whole brush) would be a better way to go.
Ideally, a rechargable, recyclable electric toothbrush with replacable heads would be best. Anyone know of one of these?
Greetings all. I was notified that there were some responses to some postings or questions. Granted, I am not on this site as much as I should be (bad brother, bad). At any rate, I'll try to answer these comments:
SM from OH- You are absolutely right, longevity of a brush isn't always what you want. Manufactures recommend replacement every three months, mainly, because the bristles wear down and loose there effective cleansing ability. If you have ever looked closely at a good quality brush, it actually looks like dull montain range (bad analogy but best I can offer). This is so the brush can sweep away debris and bacteria between the teeth (or interproximally). So a brush that is soft to the gums and teeth AND has excellent wear characteristics would be ideal. SM, you are right that plaque is just bacteria. Bacteria CAN colonate on the bristles, especially if the brush is store in a warm, dark place. Jen actually asked me about this. I told her that to thwart the growth of bacteria on a toothbrush you could splash a little isopropyl alcohol on it (after you done and it'll evaporate before next use) or actually brush with Listerine from time to time. Listerine is bacteriostatic (meaning it prevents the propagation of bacteria).
Ibrahim,
I probably should clarify this for you and future biters. I am NOT a holisitic dentist, I am a cosmetic dentist. I do though stay current with nearly all facets of modern dental technology and techniques.
THat being said, we were taught in dental school that toothpaste was actually unnecessary. People like the paste because manufactures actually apply what is called "surfactants" to the paste or gel. This is what foams in your mouth. Very similar to the effect of using soap. YUK. Why would you want to use bar soap in your mouth? That used to be punishment when I was growing up :-) Jen can tell you all about that one. You get enough calcium replenishment in your diet, don't worry about getting it from your toothpaste. Same goes for fluoride, no worries there either. You are getting plenty. Just find something that gives YOU that clean feeling and is not an abrasive toothpaste (i.e. Whitening).
Gene,
You are right. In my practice, I promote the Sonicare brush by Phillips. I am research driven by my decisions and I am convinced that this is a superior clean for the average person. This is the brush I use for my personal use. Combine the sonicare regimen with flossing and listerine - you pretty much got the gold standard for at home dental hygeine. They last a long time, about 5 years and you just replace the heads every 6 months. So that's green-ish eh?
Dr. Pete - when are you going to clean my Pearly Biters? YBS - jen
I doubt they're "pearly" by this point :-)
Dude, don't make me kick your butt in front of the Biting Bloggers.
Hi Pete...welcome to the blog! Good for Jen...and good for you...but most importantly good for the earth! Do you usse use mercury or amalgam in your office? If so, what do you do to keep it from entering our water supply?
Looking forward to you posting again!
Amie
Mercury-Free Dental Advocate
I have a random question about fillings, I definitely don't want to put mercury into my mouth at this point, but am not thrilled about the prospect of plastic, either. My dentist said he would charge me $800 for a gold filling! what's the best all around option?
Amie,
In my practice, I replace a lot of old silver fillings with porcelain inlays. You ask me what the "best" is? It depends what you are looking for as the best. The best aesthetic and bio-compatibility are porcelain inlays. I have them in my mouth. We have the longest research in dentistry about gold. Gold is very inert metal and when placed correctly, you could have that gold filling the rest of your life without replacement. Unfortunately, people still object to the aesthetic of gold in my practice. Both porcelain and gold are great options though. If you want to know more about porcelain inlays you can check out our website at www.AtlantaDentalSpa.com
TanyaRawGirl
In my practice, I replace a lot of old silver fillings with porcelain inlays. You ask me what the "best" is? It depends what you are looking for as the best. The best aesthetic and bio-compatibility are porcelain inlays. I have them in my mouth. We have the longest research in dentistry about gold. Gold is very inert metal and when placed correctly, you could have that gold filling the rest of your life without replacement. Unfortunately, people still object to the aesthetic of gold in my practice. Both porcelain and gold are great options though. If you want to know more about porcelain inlays you can check out our website at www.AtlantaDentalSpa.com
I understand that half the children currently reaching the age of eighteen in the U.S. have never had a cavity; quite an accomplishment and yet much fertile ground for improved dental hygiene.
As a child I saw hundreds of TV commercials for pre-sweetened cereal, sugary soft-drinks and candy . What I did not see was even one presentation on correct brushing and flossing and the consequences of not brushing and flossing. Not a single one minute commercial, perhaps by a toothbrush or toothpaste manufacturer, on the correct way to maintain my teeth.
http://www.deltadentalins.com/health/brushing.html
i think it's great to let folks know about toothbrushes that can be recycled-i'm forever striving to reduce the garbage that leaves my house.
however i think what's even better is a toothbrush with a replaceable head. two companies that i know of Fuchs (it means fox in gernam) and EcoDent make such products.
why not keep using the handle over and over for years and just pop in a new head?! this saves energy and materials that would be needed to recycle the old handle and to make a new one.
just my 2 cents.
Hi, I need an advice, please! Do you think teeth whitening strips like those on http://www.teethus.com/ really work? I was looking for a simple method to get white teeth and dental strips seem the be the perfect solution. Any help is much appreciated!
PHOTO ALBUMS
Posted by: SM | November 15, 2005 at 05:03 AM