It’s a sustainable option, but how do you use toothpaste tablets?

Even if you have never heard of toothpaste tablets before, you are probably are aware that your normal tube toothpaste is not environmentally friendly. The tubes are made of mixed materials, typically aluminium and plastic and cannot, therefore, be recycled so ends up in landfill. According to Business Waste, 300 million tubes of toothpaste go into landfill every year! In this article, we’ll look at what makes these tablets a more sustainable option and answer the question of how to use toothpaste tablets.

We’ve already mentioned the huge number of normal toothpaste tubes that go to landfill, but when you realise that it takes 500 years for a toothpaste tube to fully biodegrade, that gives a greater perspective on the scale of harm these little tubes are causing.

There are now a few different alternatives to normal toothpaste tubes, which includes glass jars of toothpaste that many zero waste shops stock, solid toothpaste in the form of a stick or bar, and make your own toothpaste. However, tablet toothpaste is probably the most accessible and popular of all the alternatives available.

The Reasons Behind the Popularity of Toothpaste Tablets

Natural and cruelty-free

Vegan toothpaste tablets have reduced animal cruelty as it avoids using any animal ingredients. Again, no animals are used for testing these products.

With an increasing move towards veganism, this is a big driver for people to start using toothpaste tablets.

Most toothpaste tablets also do not contain harmful chemicals that are found in most traditional brands of toothpaste, although do check individual brands.

In terms of fluoride, this is still a big debate about whether or not this is harmful. Most dentists insist that fluoride is essential in terms of protecting teeth and gums, and that the small amount used in teeth brushing is not problematic, but many natural health practitioners warn of the dangers of fluoride. But yes, fluoride is vegan.

Many tablet toothpaste providers such as t-brush offer both fluoride and fluoride-free options.

Great for sensitive teeth

Some people claim that toothpaste tablets are a miracle solution for people with very sensitive teeth. This is normally because it is a natural product with no nasty chemicals such as sodium lauryl sulphate.

More hygienic

Simply popping a toothpaste tablet in your mouth is far more hygienic than the messy squeezing and sharing of tubes of toothpaste.

It is because traditional toothpaste contains water to make it creamy, and liquid is a breeding ground for bacteria, that chemicals are added as preservatives. Most tablet toothpastes contain xylitol, a sugar alcohol that doubles as an antibacterial.

Environmentally friendly

 We have already stressed that tube toothpastes go to landfill, which is a problem in itself, but there is also a considerable amount of CO2 used in making the plastic and aluminium tubes.

Most toothpaste tablets come in glass jars, with many suppliers offering refill packs so the jars can be reused.

Toothpaste tablets also have a temperature tolerance that makes the product more environmentally friendly.

Methods of Using Toothpaste Tablets

Since we have all been using tube toothpaste since we were toddlers, getting used to tablet toothpaste is quite a big change because you start by chewing the tablets, so do be patient. It is a few steps to understand how to use toothpaste tablets in a convenient way, and many companies offer 2-tablet tester packs which will give you confidence to get started.

The following steps should be followed while using a tablet toothpaste:

• You should place the tablet at the front side of your mouth and then chew it slowly.
• Then wet your toothbrush by rinsing it with water. Then you must move the toothbrush around your mouth. Use the regular circular motion to brush your teeth so that all the germs get cleaned. It is not wise to put pressure on the gums or teeth while brushing. Because it will not clean your teeth rather it will create sensitivity issues.
• The length of time for brushing your teeth must be at least 2 minutes to ensure the toothpaste is effective and thoroughly cleans teeth and gums.
• The last step of using tablet toothpaste is rinsing your mouth with water. This will give you a refreshing vibe to start your day.

Conclusion

Most of us now accept that even as individuals, we need to make changes to reduce our environmental impact. Changing from tube toothpaste to toothpaste tablets is one small change that can have quite a big impact over several years. Plus, as we have seen, there are many other benefits in making the change. And now we have answered the question of how to use toothpaste tablets, we hope you’ll give them a try.