So we flatten, we roll, we pinch, but mostly, we just get annoyed. Even when we know it’s gone, we act like there there’s always just a little more toothpaste to be squeezed out. "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.Among the bathroom-related design woes out there, there are few as frustrating as the toothpaste tube. "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. 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. 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.Īll in all, Cannon says the switch over to tabs has been painless. To activate the foam factor, she says you just need to pop one into your mouth, chew it, and start brushing. ![]() But Abby Cannon, J.D., R.D., CDN, a dietitian and low-waste lifestyle expert who has been brushing with toothpaste tablets for years, asserts that they do "get foamy." The texture will always be a little less full and frothy. No matter which one you use, a tablet will never deliver quite the same mouthfeel as a gel. 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. If you are looking for a tablet that contains fluoride, there are a few international options that have you covered (more on those below). An FDA loophole says that once a toothpaste tablet contains fluoride, it's technically a drug and needs to adhere to federal guidelines. Here's the kicker: You'd be hard-pressed to find a toothpaste tablet with this seal. The ADA seal marks products that have been shown to effectively deliver fluoride to the teeth. The American Dental Association asserts that the naturally occurring ingredient is safe to use and essential for preventing tooth decay and cavities. Since it has been found to be a developmental neurotoxicant 1 in high volumes, some more holistic-leaning dentists will recommend steering clear of it (and potentially risk more cavities in the process). Fluoride acts to strengthen the teeth by making them more resistant to decay."įluoride, as you may have heard, is slightly controversial in the dental space. "Along with abrasiveness, fluoride is essential. "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. Desrosiers, DMD, a member of the American Association of Endodontists and assistant professor at Boston University School of Dental Medicine, recommends ones that contain fluoride and an abrasive like calcium carbonate. ![]() When shopping around for one that will keep your pearly whites looking pearly and white, Mark B. ![]() Like gel toothpaste, toothpaste tabs come in many different flavors and varieties. 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. 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. Tablets also have the advantage of being water-free, so they're easier to ship and can have a lower carbon footprint. 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. (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. They can be packaged and shipped in recyclable glass or paper containers, negating the need for tubes-which are often made from a combination of plastics and aluminum.Īny time you combine materials, they become infinitely more difficult to recycle, so more often than not these tubes end up in landfills. They're small and solid, more closely resembling a pill than a paste. Toothpaste tabs are made from powdered toothpaste that's condensed into tablets.
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