Are Toothpaste Tablets Actually Safe for the Environment?

As the world’s ability to cope with the fast-rising manufacturing of disposable plastic products affects its capability to deal with them, plastic pollution has become one of the most critical environmental challenges.

Many people have started to get concerned about the environment. As a result, new eco-friendly dental care businesses have emerged to give zero-waste and environmentally friendly alternatives.

And you might’ve guessed it, one of those new alternatives is toothpaste tablets. Unfortunately, traditional toothpaste tubes are created of a plastic-and-aluminum combination, making them extremely difficult to recycle.

About 300 million toothpaste tubes go to landfills. A toothpaste tube takes hundreds of years to fully biodegrade in a landfill, which means that every tube you’ve ever used could still be out there in a giant hole in the ground.

Toothpaste tubes promise to perform like regular and are an eco-friendly, zero-waste option.

But is it eco-friendly? And will it care for your oral health as much as traditional toothpaste?

Keep reading this article to find out!

What Exactly are Toothpaste Tablets?

Simply put, toothpaste tablets combine the elements of regular toothpaste into tiny, mint-sized tablets.

They have a similar component base to traditional toothpaste. However, conventional toothpaste contains H20 to generate a creamy texture and typically preservatives like parabens or sodium benzoate, which keep the formula from going rancid.

Tablets also offer the benefit of not requiring water, making them easier to ship and with a lower carbon footprint. They’re travel-friendly because they’re firm, and the preportioned size ensures you get a consistent paste with each brushing.

Do Toothpaste Tablets Help the Environment?

These dissolvable pills are stored in environmentally safe glass jars. They’re almost plastic-free, and there’s no toothpaste tube to throw away when you’re done with them, which will probably end up in a landfill. 

Furthermore, toothpaste tablets will likely save you money because they are pre-portioned, ensuring you do not waste any product as you would with toothpaste from a tube. 

Some brands frequently package tablets in recyclable or reused materials, which has helped them acquire even more popularity among ecologically aware customers.

But Do Toothpaste Tablets Work as an Alternative?

They’re convenient and good for the environment, but the ADA has not approved toothpaste tablets as many are fluoride-free. 

The thing is that fluoride-free products do not have an outstanding reputation in the oral care field due to the potential for an increased risk of cavities.

Of course, that doesn’t mean they don’t work. It’s quite the opposite. Toothpaste tablets are an easy, convenient way to brush and are still very effective at removing plaque. 

Many natural ingredients featured in toothpaste tablets, like coconut oil and sugar alcohols, such as xylitol and sorbitol, have antibacterial properties.

It could even take effort and time to adjust, and like these toothpaste tablets, you need to chew them before becoming a brushable paste. 

This can be particularly difficult for those with dry mouth, as you need enough saliva to help melt the tablet into the required consistency to brush your teeth. 

If that’s your case, just swish some water around in your mouth as you bite, and the paste should form as it would with saliva.

Options of Toothpaste Tablets for You

#1 byHumankind

The FDA has approved the amount of fluoride in Humankind’s toothpaste tablets. The company also offers a subscription service for various low-waste personal care goods, such as floss, mouthwash deodorant, and hand sanitizer. It ships them in refillable containers with carbon-neutral shipping.

#2 Lush Toothy Tabs

Lush Toothy Tabs are free of additives many people consider unnecessary. They come in a range of tastes as well. Keep in mind that Lush Toothy Tabs do not contain fluoride. 

They are packaged in tiny plastic bottles, so if being environmentally conscious is important, these may not be for you. Lush Toothy Tabs are $10.95 for a bottle but don’t specify the number of tablets inside it.

#3 Bite

Bite is an online marketplace where you can find all your low-waste dental needs. It’s positioned as one of the most popular brands for toothpaste tablets, also called “bites,” in the United States. 

Mouthwash tablets, reusable floss, plastic-free toothbrushes, and toothpaste tabs in classic mint and exotic flavors like charcoal and champagne are available on the Bite website. 

It’s important to mention that Bite tablets now contain nano-hydroxyapatite (nHAp), a calcium crystal that performs similarly to fluoride.

#4 Hello

Hello is proud of its vegan-friendly toothpaste, devoid of color, preservatives, or artificial sweeteners and has never been tested on animals. Their tablets have no fluoride and are available in charcoal and antiplaque flavors.

# 5 Georganics

The toothpaste pills from Georganics are fluoride-free and made with organic ingredients. They’re not as bubbly or minty as the other options listed above, so you could say they’re a gentler way to brush your teeth. 

Get Advice From a Professional, Get to Know Us! 

If you’re still unsure whether these tablets are the best option to replace your regular toothpaste, try consulting a Clairemont dentist. 

Dr. Kurt can help you figure it out. There’s no need to make a decision blindly. Remember that you should do what’s best for your oral health; informing yourself first is the way to go.