At Wildflower Family Dentistry, we believe in doing our part to help the environment. We want all of our patients to follow a good oral hygiene routine at home: brush teeth twice daily for two minutes each time and floss each day. However, there are many ways to implement sustainable and conservation-friendly practices into your oral hygiene routine. We’ve come up with three simple ways to protect the planet while you protect your smile.

1. Turn Off the Tap!

We ask our patients to gently brush their teeth for two full minutes to get the full benefits of cavity prevention. While you’re brushing, turn off the water! Otherwise, you may be wasting up to 200 gallons of water each month. Instead, consider filling a cup with water before you brush and using that water to rinse afterward. Turn off the water while you brush to help conserve precious natural resources and earn some savings on your water bill.

2. Choose Sustainable Products

From bamboo toothbrushes to silk floss, there are a variety of dental products on the market that are made from sustainable materials. These options provide the same cleaning power without any of the damaging plastic. Sustainable dental products can be found in most health food stores and online.

3. Opt for an Aerator

Installing an aerator on your bathroom faucet is a great way to cut down water usage. In fact, these devices can reduce the amount of water you use by up to 60 percent! Like turning off the tap while you brush, this is a great way to conserve natural resources and save on your utility bill.

Do you and your family have any innovative ways that you incorporate environmentally friendly practices with your oral health? We’d love to hear about it! To ask our team any questions about caring for your teeth or to schedule your next visit to our office, contact us today!