Your daily dental routine from brushing to flossing is a major source of plastic pollution. A growing body of research shows that the products and materials used for oral hygiene and in dental procedures are shedding billions of microplastic particles that enter our ecosystems and our bodies.
Sources of Dental Plastics
Microplastics from dental care come from several unexpected sources:
• Toothpaste: While many countries have banned plastic microbeads in toothpaste, many modern products still contain microplastic particles.
• Toothbrushes and Floss: The nylon bristles of toothbrushes shed tiny fragments during use, and most dental floss is made from non-biodegradable materials like nylon or Teflon that also shed particles. These fragments are washed down the drain, where they can pass through water treatment systems and end up in marine environments and food chains.
• Dental Fillings and Devices: The shift from mercury amalgam fillings to white plastic composite fillings, while reducing mercury pollution, has introduced new risks. These plastic fillings can break down over time, releasing tiny fragments and chemicals into saliva and wastewater.
• Dental Procedures: The process of drilling or polishing composite fillings generates microscopic plastic dust that is flushed down the drain.
• Mouth Devices: Acrylic dentures, mouthguards, retainers, and clear aligners shed microscopic particles through daily wear and tear, which are either ingested or rinsed into the sink.
The proliferation of these dental plastics raises significant health and environmental concerns. The chemicals in some dental resins, such as Bisphenol A (BPA), can mimic hormones and disrupt the endocrine system. Medical studies have found microplastics in human arterial plaque, and some researchers suggest that swallowed microplastics may trigger gut inflammation. This invisible contamination is making its way from oceans to human bloodstreams, with even our mouths not being safe.
A Path to a Plastic-Free Smile
While dental plastics offer benefits like whiter teeth and mercury-free alternatives, their environmental and health costs are becoming clearer. The solution requires action from both manufacturers and consumers:
• Industry Innovations: Manufacturers are developing products with natural abrasives like clay or silica and are researching biodegradable polymers. Some dental clinics are also testing filters to trap plastic debris before it enters the water supply.
• Consumer Choices: Consumers can opt for plastic-free alternatives such as:
• Toothpaste tablets or powders in plastic-free packaging.
• Bamboo toothbrushes or those with natural bristles.
• Plastic-free floss made from natural fibers.
• Traditional metal braces, which offer a plastic-free alternative to clear aligners and retainers.