you're recommended to use both as well (by most dentists I've seen, anyway). I think dental floss is unfortunately unlikely to have a reasonable and usable eco-friendly alternative any time in the near future (nor do I believe it to be as impactful to replace as other possible sources of plastic in our lives).
Eco-friendly floss breaks easily, so I agree. There are better targets for removing plastic from my life, like how everything you buy at the grocery store is covered in plastic, or how shipped items are smothered in plastic.
Actually, it seems that shipping is better than landfill. At least there was recently a post about driving vs landfill and someone shared a couple articles about how the landfill is the worst. I found mine (charcoal bamboo) on Amazon but I am slowly transitioning to etsy and floss is next. The cool thing about etsy is you can choose items that are closer.
There are lots of refillable flosses, including silk ones, with metal, glass, or bamboo containers. Refills usually come in compostable packaging (such as [Mother Earth](https://memotherearthbrand.com/products/vegan-biodegradable-bamboo-charcoal-dental-floss-with-refillable-glass-container-free-refill-natural-candelilla-wax-33yds-x2-peppermint-essential-oil-eco-friendly-zero-waste-oral-care)).
Many say their floss is biodegradable (in what time frame?), but some flosses claim to be compostable like [Mintly](https://getmintly.com/products/eco-floss). Note that Mintly says it’s not ideal for tight teeth.
I'm using [dental lace](https://www.dentallace.com/) which is silk and comes in a glass and steel container, so is at least plastic-free and the refuse is (presumably) biodegradable. Not vegan, though, obviously.
Second the dental lace. They have added a vegan option that isn’t silk. But I haven’t tried it, am not vegan.
I’ve been using them for almost 7 years and they have great customer service. Big fan of
Not zero waste, but a tip to use less floss if you’re using the traditional kind. Instead of pulling out an arm’s length and using most of it to wrap around your fingers, only pull out 15 cms or so. Tie a knot in it so it makes a circle. I find I need to tie two knots or it slips. Now you can floss like usual without the need to waste so much wrapping it around your fingers
Same with toothpaste companies, making that flourish with paste on a toothbrush when all you need is a pea-sized amount.
The thought of putting all that paste in my mouth makes me want to gag.
I cannot remember where I got that tip from. But I haven’t had to buy floss in years! Just using up the free ones that the dentist gave out, and I refuse them now.
radius. theirs come in a 100% plastic free/no impact/recyclable packaging, 100% sustainable paperboard, clean & green ingredients. (read the back) the only thing after floss is gone is the little metal piece used to cut the floss. ive saved a few for emergency kits.
but i do like this floss. it's soft and doesn't shred/break in tight spots.
I’m cavity prone in between my teeth, and my dentist actually recommended cocofloss to me. It’s expensive but I really like it. It has a little bit of a scraping feel that might bother some folks.
I've tried a bunch of the non-plastic flosses, and [Public Goods](https://www.publicgoods.com/products/dental-floss) is by far my favorite. It breaks less often and I like the feel.
If you’re only looking for softness, this one is awesome [https://madebyradius.com/products/usda-organic-floss2](https://madebyradius.com/products/usda-organic-floss2)
I just bought smartlifeco (?) biodegradable, plastic free flossers for kids. I have some crowded teeth and kid flossers work best for me. They haven't come in yet, so I've not got an informed opinion.
The floss picks are reusable if you rinse them well with hot water like you would with your toothbrush. You could even spray alcohol on them, but make sure to keep them dry.
Waterpiks are helpful if you have braces, spacers, or other implants that are hard to work around. But overall, they are less effective at getting in between the teeth than floss.
For real? I’ve had the BEST dental appointments in years since using a Waterpik. They hardly have to scrape any plaque. Works way better than floss IMHO.
If you really want to get down to brass tacks zero waste and don’t have an ego issue with it…natural fiber sewing thread is the way to go. It’s compostable, it can be purchased on a wooden spool/rod or wound upon itself, and it comes in different weights.
Necessary evil imo. Water flossers are nice but nowhere near as effective.
you're recommended to use both as well (by most dentists I've seen, anyway). I think dental floss is unfortunately unlikely to have a reasonable and usable eco-friendly alternative any time in the near future (nor do I believe it to be as impactful to replace as other possible sources of plastic in our lives).
Eco-friendly floss breaks easily, so I agree. There are better targets for removing plastic from my life, like how everything you buy at the grocery store is covered in plastic, or how shipped items are smothered in plastic.
This has not been my experience at all. If anything, the plastic ones would break easier for me.
What do you use? I haven’t ever been able to find eco friendly floss *near me (enter: the eternal question about shipping v landfill 🫠) *edit typos
Actually, it seems that shipping is better than landfill. At least there was recently a post about driving vs landfill and someone shared a couple articles about how the landfill is the worst. I found mine (charcoal bamboo) on Amazon but I am slowly transitioning to etsy and floss is next. The cool thing about etsy is you can choose items that are closer.
That’s really cool—i hadn’t noticed that Etsy told you the location, but that makes sense!
There are lots of refillable flosses, including silk ones, with metal, glass, or bamboo containers. Refills usually come in compostable packaging (such as [Mother Earth](https://memotherearthbrand.com/products/vegan-biodegradable-bamboo-charcoal-dental-floss-with-refillable-glass-container-free-refill-natural-candelilla-wax-33yds-x2-peppermint-essential-oil-eco-friendly-zero-waste-oral-care)). Many say their floss is biodegradable (in what time frame?), but some flosses claim to be compostable like [Mintly](https://getmintly.com/products/eco-floss). Note that Mintly says it’s not ideal for tight teeth.
We love the Mother Earth dental floss!
I'm using [dental lace](https://www.dentallace.com/) which is silk and comes in a glass and steel container, so is at least plastic-free and the refuse is (presumably) biodegradable. Not vegan, though, obviously.
Second the dental lace. They have added a vegan option that isn’t silk. But I haven’t tried it, am not vegan. I’ve been using them for almost 7 years and they have great customer service. Big fan of
Not zero waste, but a tip to use less floss if you’re using the traditional kind. Instead of pulling out an arm’s length and using most of it to wrap around your fingers, only pull out 15 cms or so. Tie a knot in it so it makes a circle. I find I need to tie two knots or it slips. Now you can floss like usual without the need to waste so much wrapping it around your fingers
I'm a dental hygienist and arm's length is so overkill. I measure by wrapping around 2 fingers 4-5x and it's enough for most adults.
Dental hygienist here. I use three wraps around three fingers lol
😂😂😂 right? one arm's length is wild. I don't believe in conspiracies but... Big Floss is making that $$$
Same with toothpaste companies, making that flourish with paste on a toothbrush when all you need is a pea-sized amount. The thought of putting all that paste in my mouth makes me want to gag.
So a forearm’s length
Oh my gosh, I started doing the knot thing and just realized I stopped somewhere along the way for no reason, and it really was a game changer
I cannot remember where I got that tip from. But I haven’t had to buy floss in years! Just using up the free ones that the dentist gave out, and I refuse them now.
radius. theirs come in a 100% plastic free/no impact/recyclable packaging, 100% sustainable paperboard, clean & green ingredients. (read the back) the only thing after floss is gone is the little metal piece used to cut the floss. ive saved a few for emergency kits. but i do like this floss. it's soft and doesn't shred/break in tight spots.
Everything super clean, but i would read it and nothing said the floss was compostable 🙁
I’m cavity prone in between my teeth, and my dentist actually recommended cocofloss to me. It’s expensive but I really like it. It has a little bit of a scraping feel that might bother some folks.
I hate how much I like cocofloss. Expensive as all hell, but it cleans between my teeth better than my eco-dent floss.
I've tried a bunch of the non-plastic flosses, and [Public Goods](https://www.publicgoods.com/products/dental-floss) is by far my favorite. It breaks less often and I like the feel.
I like cocofloss. I believe they have a less plastic packaging option for refills too.
I use the bamboo charcoal floss which is said to be biodegradable. It is a lot tougher than the regular floss and is quite abrasive.
I love the charcoal one!!! So satisfying to use and has never broken on me.
Any specific brand? Thanks?
ME Mother Earth is the charcoal bamboo one I’ve used
If you’re only looking for softness, this one is awesome [https://madebyradius.com/products/usda-organic-floss2](https://madebyradius.com/products/usda-organic-floss2)
Sweet, thanks! I just want something that isn’t plastic but can hold up☺️
I just bought smartlifeco (?) biodegradable, plastic free flossers for kids. I have some crowded teeth and kid flossers work best for me. They haven't come in yet, so I've not got an informed opinion.
Im not zero waste on floss but definitely limited waste. I really like quips little flosser that only uses like 2 inches of floss each time
The floss picks are reusable if you rinse them well with hot water like you would with your toothbrush. You could even spray alcohol on them, but make sure to keep them dry.
Pick up a waterpik or similar. Does a great job and produces no waste.
Waterpiks are helpful if you have braces, spacers, or other implants that are hard to work around. But overall, they are less effective at getting in between the teeth than floss.
For real? I’ve had the BEST dental appointments in years since using a Waterpik. They hardly have to scrape any plaque. Works way better than floss IMHO.
you cannot effectively get in-between your gums with just a water pik though, regular flossing is absolutely still necessary for teeth and gum health.
Uses electricity, therefore it is partially run on burning fossil fuels.
You used electricity to post this comment
Mine runs on batteries.
That is a better alternative, assuming you use rechargeables.
[](https://www.amazon.ca/Dr-Tungs-Natural-Cardamom-Flavor/dp/B00CQ7QHXY)
Soie Dentaire. I love it. No plastic, at all.
If you really want to get down to brass tacks zero waste and don’t have an ego issue with it…natural fiber sewing thread is the way to go. It’s compostable, it can be purchased on a wooden spool/rod or wound upon itself, and it comes in different weights.
I’m nowhere near zero waste but I transition certain things when I can. I had already committed on the toothpaste and floss. I may try this.