Environmentally Friendly Tooth Care

We’re often faced with the lure of various products hoping to stem our worry about environmental impact. As we focus on incorporating preventative measures to improve our health, we’re also worried about chemicals in the products we use and their potential dangers or threats to our health. In considering what product may be safe for ourselves and our environment, it’s worth noting that the Mayo Clinic believes there is insufficient evidence to suggest triclosan, an antibacterial and antifungal ingredient commonly found in consumer products, including toothpaste, soaps and detergents, is overtly dangerous. Most green products for oral care offer a fluoride-free option for those worried about excessive ingestion – despite the studies that show the benefits of fluoride greatly outweigh the dangers.

However, if you are looking to break from the mainstream with everyday dental care to adopt practices and possibly products that may be safer it can be daunting, especially when it comes to something essential like your hygiene routine. To help simplify, we’ve researched some of the more popular products and presented them here:

Preserve Toothbrush: This green brush has a handle made from 100% recycled plastic yogurt cups, and includes a nifty case for travelling.

The Environmental Toothbrush: If you’re trying to swear off plastic (even of a recycled variety), these bamboo toothbrushes from an Australian company might just be for you. “The handles are biodegradable, environmentally sustainable, and do not pollute the environment. The amazing growth and self-renewing ability of bamboo means that deforestation is not necessary either. Even our packaging is biodegradable.” The cost is $36 AUS for a 12-pack, only a little more than $25 with the conversion to U.S.

Eco-Dent Monte Bianco Toothbrush: This firm manufactures various vegan toothpaste and floss varieties, and these brushes come with removable heads to save on further waste. All this – and they cost much less than most everyday toothbrushes at $1.99. 

Desert Essence Natural Toothpaste: This company has an assortment of different toothpaste varieties, ranging in flavor and whitening ability. All are SLS free, and many are gluten and fluoride free depending on your preference.

Dr. Ken’s Toothpaste: Another brand that offers both fluoride and fluoride-free options, Dr. Ken’s is an all natural variety that is more visible on the store shelves than many other companies that dominate the market – if you’re looking for an easy switch over to eco-friendly products, this might be the option for you.

Whatever you choose to use to maintain your teeth and gums, if you want to do your part to protect the environment and conserve resources, it is always beneficial to turn off the faucet when you brush!

The Causes of Dental Anxiety

That nagging feeling of unease, a certain foreboding, a general distress – whatever you call it, and however you describe it – dental anxiety plagues a number of patients before their respective procedures.

It’s certainly not a nice feeling, and it continues to affect around “a third of patients awaiting their regular dental hygiene appointments in a new, if small, study published in BMC Oral Health.” This prevalence has remained relatively constant over the last 50 years, in spite of the advancements we have seen in technology to make the patient experience more comfortable.

So where is this anxiety coming from?

A lot of it has to do with priming and socialization. From an early age, we see our close friends and family members dreading the dentist – and we respond in kind. A study from NCU  indicates that a lot of the people experiencing forms of dental anxiety also face generalized anxiety in their day-to-day lives – it’s simply manifesting in a different experience.

In practice, dental anxiety can also stem from:

• ·      Past negative experiences
• ·      A lack of control over the situation
• ·      Embarrassment about the care you’ve given to your teeth
• ·      A fear of ridicule

Fortunately, there are many ways to help overcome this anxiety prior to and during your visit, and rest assured at Artistic Dental, we are dedicated to minimizing your discomfort and any fears you may have. Be it with our new massage chairs or calming artwork, we help you maintain optimal oral health, it is always with the goal of achieving your best smile.