Any time you combine materials, they become infinitely more difficult to recycle, so more often than not these tubes end up in landfills. (Estimates for how many we trash globally each year are well into the billions.) Some companies like Colgate’s natural brand Toms of Maine are working on rolling out tubes that are completely recyclable but they likely won’t be widely available for another few years. In the meantime, recycling your tube through specialty service TerraCycle or opting for a tube-free tablet are the most eco-friendly choices when it comes to brushing. Tablets also have the advantage of being water-free, so they’re easier to ship and can have a lower carbon footprint. Since they’re solid, they’re also travel-friendly, and the preportioned size means you’ll get a steady amount of paste with every brushing. And the most important benefit? No more fighting with your significant other about the best way to eke the last drop of toothpaste out of the communal tube. “I measure effectiveness in two ways, ability to remove plaque and stain without damage to the teeth, and effective delivery of fluoride to the tooth,” Desrosiers tells mbg. “Along with abrasiveness, fluoride is essential. Fluoride acts to strengthen the teeth by making them more resistant to decay.” Fluoride, as you may have heard, is slightly controversial in the dental space. Since it has been found to be a developmental neurotoxicant1 in high volumes, some more holistic-leaning dentists will recommend steering clear of it (and potentially risk more cavities in the process). The American Dental Association asserts that the naturally occurring ingredient is safe to use and essential for preventing tooth decay and cavities. The ADA seal marks products that have been shown to effectively deliver fluoride to the teeth. Here’s the kicker: You’d be hard-pressed to find a toothpaste tablet with this seal. An FDA loophole says that once a toothpaste tablet contains fluoride, it’s technically a drug and needs to adhere to federal guidelines. If you are looking for a tablet that contains fluoride, there are a few international options that have you covered (more on those below). If you’re avoiding fluoride (again, some dentists caution against this, so maybe talk to yours first), you can have your pick from a handful of toothpaste tablets that are free of the stuff. To activate the foam factor, she says you just need to pop one into your mouth, chew it, and start brushing. One tablet is usually enough to last her a full two-minute brushing, but she knows of some people who have better luck using two at a time. All in all, Cannon says the switch over to tabs has been painless. Though these tablets do tend to be more expensive, she appreciates that they can often be ordered on a subscription refill model, crossing another drugstore trip off the list and saving on packaging. “The first time you purchase the tablets, they come in a little glass jar,” Cannon, who uses Bite brand tabs, explains of the delivery process. “Every time you get a refill, it comes in a little bag that you can recycle or compost, and you just transfer it into the little glass jar.” As for her teeth? They, like her environmental conscience, have fared well in the swap. Bite Toothpaste Bits Fresh Mint, $30/4-month subscription byHumankind Toothpaste Tablets, $15/1-month subscription ($12 for a refill) Unpaste Tooth Tabs Mint, $9.35/2-month supply hello antiplaque + whitening toothpaste tablets, $8.99/1-month supply Crush & Brush Mint Toothpaste Tablets, $12.99/40-day supply Georganics Toothpaste Tablets Spearmint, $12/2-month supply Chomp Super Whitening Toothpaste Tablets, $12.95/1-month supply Huppy Zero Waste Toothpaste, $32/4-month supply Emma received her B.A. in Environmental Science & Policy with a specialty in environmental communications from Duke University. In addition to penning over 1,000 mbg articles on topics from the water crisis in California to the rise of urban beekeeping, her work has appeared on Grist, Bloomberg News, Bustle, and Forbes. She’s spoken about the intersection of self-care and sustainability on podcasts and live events alongside environmental thought leaders like Marci Zaroff, Gay Browne, and Summer Rayne Oakes.
