Everyone knows that regular flossing is good for our teeth but is it good for the environment? Most of us don’t realise that conventional dental floss is made from Teflon (yes the stuff they coat pans with) or plastic and then coated in synthetic wax. Not only can these ingredients be toxic, but elements can be absorbed into our bloodstream when we floss and when we discard them, they are bad for the environment.
So what are the risks?
Environmental – you break off a bit of dental floss, wrap it around your fingers, and floss. Once finished, you discard it into the bin and don’t give it any further thought. But what happens to that bit of white string when you throw it away?
Well it doesn’t get recycled, being so small, nor is it biodegradable, which means it ends up hanging around in the environment for centuries, if not millennia. Being made from potentially harmful ingredients, strands of floss can pose a significant danger for wildlife. They also present a risk of strangulation, if wildlife become entangled, or if swallowed they can cause serious injury and even death.
Health – studies have found that dental floss and its coating can have adverse effects on your health. According to Harvard University, chemicals such as perfluoro hexane sulfonic acid, found in dental floss can find their way into our bloodstreams and have been linked to immune system issues, liver damage, and other nasty side effects.
So, whether in the body or the environment, it can take years for them to disappear.
Surely a better option is to switch to natural dental care products, made from natural, organic, vegan, cruelty free ingredients and do not present such a significant risk to wildlife or humans?
In terms of natural flossing products, Eco Floss is one such brand that provides a natural and safe choice. Made of plant-based material, this product started life as corn from a previously waste by-product of the food industry. Eco Floss is made from 100% renewable resources (instead of the normal crude oil plastic alternatives) and uses 80% fewer greenhouse gasses than regular floss.
So there you have it, a plant-based dental floss that stated life as corn. Made with 100% renewable resources (instead of crude oil), making use of a previously wasted by-product from the food industry. Eco Floss claim their product uses 80% fewer greenhouse gases and is 100% vegan, being produced using corn and food-grade vegetable wax only.
And as an added bonus, there is a possibility to compost this floss in certain areas in your food caddy for industrial composting or at home – only if you have a HotBin.
There you have it – Eco Floss – Plant Based Dental Floss
Highly recommended – 5* from us at Whatsnewhealthandbeautyreviews