Dental flossing remains an important part of dental care for many people, helping remove stuck particles between teeth that often are not able to be removed by brushing alone. By flossing, these particles can be dislodged often preventing a build-up of bacteria and bad smelling breath caused by trapped rotting food particles.

However, most dental floss used today is made of plastic polymers, normally either Nylon and Teflon (or PTFE). These types of dental floss are also normally presented in plastic containers and often in blister packaging also made of a plastic (often sealed by a harmful glue to a cardboard backing), making the nylon and teflon dental floss an impacting contributor to the plastic waste in landfills and our oceans, harming both land and sea creatures.

It is time therefore to consider switching to a more eco-friendly and compostable dental floss.

The good news is Plastic-free dental floss is available! Not only that but there are a variety of options to choose from. These compostable dental floss options are as follows:

1. Pure silk eco dental floss – the first dental floss invented in the 19^th century is made of waxen fine silk thread. Prehistoric time people used horse hair. This means that plastic-free dental floss is as ancient as can be recalled. It was in the 20^th century that silk floss was replaced with nylon floss as cheaper and more durable alternative.
2. Activated bamboo charcoal with organic tea tree oil – this is a vegan zero waste compostable dental floss from sustainable bamboo fibres.
3. Hemp fibre – said to be a DIY dental floss.
4. Corn fibre and candelilla wax – also a vegan and zero waste plastic-free dental floss.

Our staff have tried each of these and prefer the silk option, as the bamboo tends to break a bit easier, and the hemp and corn fibre, generally tend to be a bit more of a rough material.

Most of these options of compostable dental floss however are sold in refillable glass containers with stainless-steel lids and normally packed in compostable cardboard boxes. Refills can be purchased, making this product not only beneficial to your teeth but also to the environment and your finances too!

So why not make the change form the dental floss made of nylon (plastic) and switch to plastic-free compostable dental floss made of silk and sold in refillable glass containers with stainless-steel lids!

To see some great options click here!