The Best Sustainable Floss & Interdental Cleaning Options

There are three alternatives to regular plastic floss

Dental floss is single use for hygiene reasons. But it is possible for this single use plastic to be replaced with something more environmentally friendly.

We recommend using approx 15cm of floss per session (some people may use more or less than this). With daily use, that is almost 55 metres per person per year. Multiply that across the whole population and there is a lot of used floss being sent to landfill.

It’s important to find an eco-friendly alternative to the conventional plastic floss we are using.

There are now a number of alternatives to traditional nylon dental floss.

You can put them into one of three categories:

1. “Zero waste” / compostable but are made from animal products.
2. Vegan / non animal product based but which are not certified 100% biodegradable or compostable (at present).
3. Made from recycled materials (and are not biodegradable in any way).

Essentially you have a choice to make about which you would prefer, depending on your own personal ethics and what your environmental priorities are.

Silk is not vegan, and even peace silk isn’t recognised as cruelty free. Bio-based alternatives are still plastic, and don’t let any manufacturers tell you otherwise! Products made from recycled materials are often seen as one of the best options as it creates a circular economy, but the pay off is that the end result (at the moment) can not be composted.

After the core material of the floss, you then need to consider whether you want it waxed or not. Again, the wax could be an animal by-product (beeswax) or plant based. However, when it comes to wax there are 100% biodegradable/compostable options for both.

Here I will outline the different options available, with their pros and cons. I will also give examples and recommendations for each.

‘Biodegradable‘ is a vague term normally used by companies that do not have tests to verify the compostability of a product.

Technically, unless supported by independent testing, none of these products are definitely biodegradable or compostable, but I will refer to materials as such based on accepted knowledge.

Silk dental floss

Silk is recommended as an alternative floss material. It is a good option because the thread is soft, so it won’t damage the gums, yet has a slight roughness.

Manufacturers say this slight roughness is what gives a good clean, and in theory that is good, but there isn’t much evidence behind this.

There is no clinical research into the effectiveness of silk floss or how it compares to traditional dental floss.

Silk is made from the cocoons of silkworms. The silkworms feed (commonly on mulberry leaves) and then produce the cocoon and enclose themselves in it as they transition into moths. They are an animal by-product.

Collecting the silk also requires killing the moths before they hatch, by boiling them. Ahimsa/peace silk is proposed as a cruelty free alternative to this and I explain more about that below. If you are vegan or against animal cruelty, silk is not the option for you.

The best quality of silk for floss is its end of life options. Silk will decompose when placed on a compost pile.

The amount of time it takes to fully break down depends on many external factors such as the health of the compost pile.

Manufacturers have given estimates of 3-6 months to compost in a commercial facility or 6-10 months in your home compost bin (see the at-home studies done by Treebird).

When using natural silk to floss, you will find that it isn’t as strong as conventional nylon floss. It is more prone to shredding, especially if you keep reusing the same section. This may be a problem if you use it to refill a floss holder. But otherwise, just make sure you move down the line when using it the conventional way.

The compostable and “natural” properties of silk sound great. But there are questions about whether it is actually any better than a plastic equivalent.

There is a lack of research specifically about silk used for dental floss. But studies have been done on silk used for other textiles, and a life cycle assessment of silk shows that silk factories require high energy input and water consumption for the right environment conditions.

They also need a lot of wood (usually mulberry wood) for the silk worms, requiring its own resources.

This article really goes into detail about why silk isn’t as good as we might think it is (using independent measurements too), and the Council of Fashion Designers of America also has good information about the manufacture of silk. Although it relates to the textile industry, the issues in production are the same.

Silk floss pros and cons

Silk dental floss products

Notes from my testing

I tested out two different silk flosses: Radius and WooBamboo.

The Radius silk dental floss came in a plastic dispenser inside a cardboard box. This use of plastic makes it unsuitable for someone looking for a plastic free option. Although it is plastic 5, so is easily recyclable.

At 30m, this is a fairly average amount of floss per purchase (although others do come at 50m). I had the unscented flavour, so cannot comment on the flavours available.

The floss itself was strong and did not shred between the teeth. The wax coating is light, so there is some friction when moving it between the teeth, but this wasn’t enough to make it difficult to use.

The WooBamboo silk dental floss comes in a card and bio-based plastic packet. This packet becomes the dispenser, and the metal floss cutter is incorporated into it.

There seems to be some wasteful packaging as the top half is thrown away, not needed for the dispenser.

The fact that it is made of two different materials makes it difficult to recycle. Additionally, because it is “biodegradable” plastic packaging, it cannot be recycled in current plastic recycling streams. The dispenser is easy to put together:

1. Tear off top half of packaging
2. 2 remove sticker
3. Open dispenser
4. Thread floss – make sure it goes up and around the small plastic hook sticking out, this helps later when you want to pull more floss through after cutting.
5. Thread under cutter
6. Close dispenser
7. Replace sticker (helps keep the dispenser closed. 

The spool is longer than average, at 37m, but disappointingly is wrapped around a plastic core. The floss itself is creamy in colour with little shine. It has a nice minty smell, although this is not very noticeable when flossing. The floss itself slides easily between the teeth, although I did get some shredding (even between teeth that aren’t very crowded).

Other options that I haven’t tested yet:

• Dental lace

Peace silk dental floss

Peace silk, also known as “non-violent”, “ahimsa”, or “cruelty free” silk is produced from the cocoons of moths.

It differs from traditional silk because rather than killing the moths during the production process, the moths for peace silk are allowed to complete their metamorphosis and hatch before the silk cocoons are collected.

This means that the moths are not killed in the process of collecting the silk. Some producers believe this is a less cruel method of production.

The term peace silk is not protected, and there is no independent way to validate the claims. It is not vegan, and cruelty free organisations like PETA do not support or endorse peace silk as cruelty free.

Peace silk is typically more expensive than regular silk for textile material. That said, there doesn’t seem to be much of a price difference when it comes to buying dental floss.

Criticism of this form of silk includes that it isn’t much better than other methods of making silk.

CFDA explains more about the moths used for silk, saying:

“After hundreds of years of selective breeding, it is not intended to live beyond cocoon stage and has lost its ability to fly, see, camouflage, and fear predators. So a peace silk moth will most likely live a short life in captivity during which it may get the opportunity to be used for breeding. Which begs the question – how ethical is it really?“.

This blog by a silkworm keeper also does a good job of explaining the potential problems with silk labelled as cruelty free. 

As with regular silk, the biggest advantage of using ahimsa silk floss is the fact that it can decompose in compost. However the same argument remains regarding whether it is actually a more beneficial material when it comes to its impact on the environment.

Peace silk floss pros and cons

Notes from my testing

I tested the Georganics silk dental floss in cardamom flavour. The 30m came in a refillable glass jar, in a recyclable cardboard box.

The glass jar has Georganics written in green on the side. The floss is multifilament, and is white in colour with a slight shine to it.

The scent itself is very mild. I could barely taste it when flossing with it, only when I opened the lid to the jar.

The floss cutter is built into the metal lid. It works well enough, and when cutting the floss there was no shredding.

When it comes to using the floss, it slid nicely between my teeth with no shredding. Where I have some crowded teeth, the floss flattened nicely and I had no problems getting it between those teeth.

I had no problems using the floss. However I don’t think it’s available any more – the Georganics website and amazon stores now only sell bio-based plastic flosses, with no silk versions available.

Their newer products are also 50m spools with a larger jar. As such, their refills will not fit in the old jars.

I also tested the Bambaw silk floss. It comes in a refillable container, and then refills can be purchased as a pack of 2 x 50m.

50m spool length is very generous and should last several months. The floss came in plastic free packaging (not even any tape or glue to hold the box together).

There is no core to the spool. It is mint scented, which you can smell as soon as you open the package, but this is not overpowering. It does not taste particularly minty.

The floss itself is thin, with only a light waxing. It does glide between the teeth, but there is little resistance, which just feels like it is doing a more thorough job. There is no shredding when using the floss, even in tighter spaces.

Others options that I haven’t tested yet:

• Etee Plastic Free Floss
• FLON Natural Silk Dental Floss 
• Dental Aesthetics Silk Eco Floss 

Bamboo and charcoal dental floss

“Bamboo” floss is often touted as an environmentally friendly floss. Its name would make you think that the entire thing is made from bamboo. But that isn’t the case. 

In a textbook example of greenwashing, these companies are using advertising to make you believe this version of floss is more environmentally friendly than it actually is.

In all the examples of bamboo floss that I researched, the bamboo is actually about the charcoal that is embedded into the floss. The floss itself can be made of anything from regular nylon, polyester, or bio-based plastic.

Do not be tricked into believing your “bamboo floss” is automatically biodegradable or compostable. 

The touted benefits of using bamboo or charcoal dental floss include:

• Being able to see the plaque you have removed on the dark floss (true, but you can see it on normal floss if you want to take a look).
• Bamboo uses less water and energy than plastic floss. This is true. But the bamboo is an unnecessary addition to the existing floss product so is a complete waste of energy and water.
• Being biodegradable — this depends on the core material of the floss other than the added bamboo charcoal.
• That the charcoal whitens the teeth. It doesn’t, but flossing may help prevent and remove stains on the tooth surface regardless of whether the floss contains bamboo or not.

This seems to be jumping onto the bandwagon of using charcoal dental products, such as charcoal toothpaste and toothbrushes. There is no evidence to support using bamboo floss or charcoal floss over any other type of floss.

Bamboo floss pros & cons

The pros and cons of bamboo floss really depend on what the underlying floss is made from and what wax is used. The packaging (or lack of) may also contribute to the pros, but this has nothing to do with the floss itself.

There are no environmental benefits to using bamboo floss that contains normal nylon (or similar) fibres. 

There may be some environmental benefits from using bamboo floss which has a core fibre made from a bio-based plastic such as corn PLA. See below for more information on these.

For all types of bamboo floss, the major con is that it is using unnecessary ingredients. This ingredient requires more energy and water than if it was not added, and does nothing to improve the end of life options for the floss (i.e. doesn’t make them more biodegradable).

Bamboo floss products

I’ve listed the available bamboo floss products in a table to make it easier to display what the main fibre and wax are made of:

Corn-based PLA: bio-based plastic dental floss

Corn-based PLA (polylactic acid) is a bio-based plastic. Using a bio-based plastic instead of conventional plastic reduces reliance on fossil fuels and has a lower carbon footprint. In some cases, bio-based plastics have more environmentally friendly disposal options than just going to landfill.

To make a bio-based plastic, a sustainable ingredient is used instead of using fossil fuels such as oil. For corn based PLA the base ingredient is fermented and processed corn starch. The final material is considered to be more sustainable because it is not using up finite oil resources. Sugarcane is an alternative base material for PLA.

The use of a plant to create the plastic reduces the overall carbon footprint. It is almost carbon neutral, although this depends on manufacturing conditions and proper disposal. Whilst there is no dental specific evidence, life cycle analysis for several makers of PLA confirm the low CO2 emissions associated with the material, e.g. this paper about PLA from sugarcane.

Bio-based PLA is not accepted in regular plastic recycling facilities and can contaminate current recyclable plastics.

Adding bio-degradable plastics to regular plastic recycling lowers the quality of the final recycled plastic. This is why plastics labelled as compostable or bio-degradable should not be placed with regular household plastic recycling unless you are specifically told it is safe to do so.

If bio-degradable plastics, such as PLA, are added to landfill sites they can release methane. In fact, incorrect disposal of PLA can dramatically increase emissions by PLA.

Bio-degradable or compostable plastics should also not be added to compost piles unless they have been tested and approved to do so.

Strict testing to be able to label bio-based PLA has not been completed for floss products. However some individuals have done their own at-home testing and seem to be happy that PLA will break down on their home compost piles. This is a decision you can make depending on the health of your own compost pile.

More certified compostable products are becoming available. One major problem is that there is a lack of industrial composting facilities world wide. As this article explains, at the moment compostable packaging will need to be processed with other non-recyclable waste.

It is possible that small amount of PLA will break down in a home compost pile, but there is a lack of in-depth studies to confirm this.

Eorth undertook their own testing of bio-based plastic floss (made from corn PLA) and a silk option. They found that both broke down in home composting conditions, although the silk was much faster than the PLA.

This blog also tested other (non-floss) PLA items and came to the same conclusion. This is not concrete evidence, only at home testing!

If you have a home compost pile you could test it to see if a small amount does breakdown. But be aware that it will need the right conditions (see above), will take a long time, and may not break down fully if it fails.

Bite has a good explanation of some of the pros and cons of using PLA for floss.

Corn-based PLA floss pros & cons

Corn-based PLA floss products

Notes from my testing

I tested the Georganics natural dental floss in orange flavour. Confusingly, in some places this is referred to as “ahimsa silk” and “vegan” which is completely contradictory.

This is, however, corn PLA floss. This is from their older range and is 30m long. The same floss now comes in 50m spools and a new style jar.

It’s currently a crossover period, and depending on where you buy from you may get 30m or 50m. The floss comes in a refillable glass jar, in a recyclable cardboard box.

The glass jar has Georganics written in orange on the side. The floss cutter is built into the metal lid. The floss is multifilament, and is white in colour with a slight shine to it. The scent itself is pretty much non-existent – I couldn’t smell it or taste it at all.

When it comes to using the floss, it does slide nicely between my teeth with no shredding. Where I have some crowded teeth, the floss flattened nicely and I had no problems getting it between those teeth. I had no problems using the floss and it worked as expected. 

Another floss I trialled was the Bambaw bio-based floss in mint. The 50m spool comes completely plastic free in a metal refillable container.

The container has a logo on the side and an integrated sutter on the lid. The outer packaging is cardboard with no plastic, glue, or tape used to seal the box.

Immediately you can smell the mint, and it does have a minty taste when using it, one of the stronger tasting options I have tested.

The floss itself is a soft, multifilament string. It is white in colour and appears slightly shiny. During use, it did shred slightly in very tight spots, but otherwise was comfortable to use.

Other options that I haven’t tested yet

• Dental Lace Vegan Floss 
• Brushd Natural Corn Dental Floss 

Castor oil-based nylon: bio-based plastic dental floss

Bio-based plastics offer an alternative to traditional plastics used for floss. They use a renewable resource as the base ingredient. Here, the plastic is made from castor oil.

The change in base ingredients makes the material more sustainable than conventional nylon, with a smaller carbon footprint too.  This is the same concept as corn based PLA floss and has the same benefits.

Bio-based nylon leaves something to be desired when it comes to end of life options. It is not biodegradable or compostable, and it is not recyclable. It must be thrown away with general waste.

One upside of this is that there is no potential to get it wrong and therefore contaminate plastic recycling or cause methane production at landfill, as is the case with corn based PLA.

Castor oil-based floss pros & cons

Notes from my testing

I tried the TIOfloss. It smells lovely – a mint flavour, which I personally like. The floss itself is quite thick, and people with crowded teeth will find that it shreds. It felt like using an expanding floss, which some people might be looking for. When damp it feels like cotton roll, which I didn’t like using between my teeth, but does work for cleaning!

Recycled plastic floss

Most dental floss is made using virgin (new) plastic. There are a few options that now use recycled plastic to make their dental floss.

Recycled material requires less energy to make than new plastic (Cocofloss estimates 64% less). It has lower carbon emissions and less water usage when making it.

Ultimately, floss made from recycled plastic still has limited options for when you are finished with it. It is not recyclable, not biodegradable, and not compostable. Because of this, it will go to landfill with other general waste items. 

Only a life cycle analysis will be able to tell whether this option has a lower impact than other materials, once waste options are considered. As yet there isn’t any such research for floss.

Recycled plastic floss products

Notes from my testing

I have tested the floss from Spotlight, Cocofloss and Zendium floss.

The Spotlight and Cocofloss both come in a few different versions. 

I tried the Spotlight Dental Floss for Gum Health, which contains chlorhexidine (the same ingredient used in some antimicrobial hand soaps and mouth washes). I don’t know how much of a benefit it will have when on the floss. It tasted very minty, which I liked. When damp it expanded during use. It may be too thick for very tight gaps, and it can shred when being forced through, too. Overall, though, I did like using this floss.

The Fresh Coconut Cocofloss had a mild flavour. It feels sticky when unravelling it, but doesn’t feel like there is too much wax when using it. It glides well between the teeth, with minimal shredding.

Zendium floss was probably my favourite to use. It is the thinnest option and didn’t shred during use. Zendium is the only floss that has no plastic in its packaging. The Cocofloss has a plastic dispenser, and the Spotlight floss comes wrapped in a plastic bag.

Unfortunately the Zendium floss is let down by the taste. It is labelled as “natural mint flavour” but tasted very bitter, and definitely not minty! I was totally put off by the flavour, and unless it changes would recommend avoiding this floss.

I can’t really recommend any of the options I tried as a good eco-friendly option at this stage. But I hope this will change in the future!

Waxes used on dental floss

Microcrystalline wax

Microcrystalline wax is made from crude oil. It uses petroleum as a base and so is not an environmentally friendly ingredient in your dental floss. It is not biodegradable or compostable.

Candelilla wax

Candelilla wax is made from the plant Euphorbia antisyphilitica.

It is a natural wax, and is vegan.

As it is made from a sustainable resource, it is seen as an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional wax.

Carnauba wax

Carnauba wax is made from Copernicia cerifera -the Brazilian wax palm tree. 

It is a natural wax, and is vegan.

It is used to help the floss glide between the teeth.

As it is made from a sustainable resource, it is seen as an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional wax.

Beeswax

Beeswax (cera alba) is a natural wax taken from honeycombs made by honey bees. It is not vegan as it is made from an animal by-product.

It both binds flavour and helps floss glide.

As it is made from a sustainable resource, it is seen as an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional wax.

Reusable and refillable floss dispensers

Often floss is supplied in unrecyclable single use plastic packaging. Think of your normal floss packet – this would normally go to landfill. This container is then also packaged up – usually with more plastic.

Wherever possible, reusable packaging is favourable over single use. Using recycled materials to make packaging is also considered to be more environmentally friendly than new raw materials.

Using refill packaging uses fewer materials than having a new container each time. Example refill packaging for dental floss is a spool in a small kraft paper bag (which is recyclable or compostable). The floss is then placed into a reusable glass container which has the necessary sharp edge to cut the floss to length and which protects it in the bathroom or when carried around in a bag.

This lower use of packaging for refills does, however, have to be drawn up against the fact that reusable or refill packaging may well be more resource intensive than lightweight single use packaging. 

There is no study comparing the different types of packaging for floss, but this report looks to compare single use against reusable packaging for a huge variety of products. The report looks at numerous studies across sectors such as soft drinks, food delivery, and cleaning products. They report: “most of the studies point to reusable packaging as the most environmentally sound approach compared to different single-use options”

This study also shows how smaller packaging formats have higher emissions since they require more material per volume of beverage. This is why it is advantageous to buy in bulk rather than multiple smaller refills. Some companies are moving towards having longer floss spools to reduce how often refills are required. The average length seems to be about 30m, but some companies produce 50m and this is a better option.

The material you choose is very much a personal choice.

Glass looks nice, but can be prone to breakage if dropped. Metal options avoid the possibility of breakage.

Examples of reusable floss dispensers include:

Comparison table of different types of floss

Eco-friendly floss FAQ

Should I choose silk floss or bio-based floss?

If your priority is a compostable material that leaves no trace, pick silk.

If your priority is the lowest carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions, pick bio-based plastic such as corn-based PLA.

What is mulberry silk?

Some dental flosses refer to the material as mulberry silk. There is nothing particularly special about mulberry silk. The name is derived from the fact that it is made by the most commonly used silkworm, the mulberry silkworm (or Bombyx mori if you prefer). The worms are fed on mulberry leaves.

Mulberry silk is not vegan. It is not necessarily ahimsa/peace silk, cruelty free, or more environmentally friendly.

Waxed vs unwaxed floss – which is better?

The benefit of the wax coating is that it helps the floss glide over the tooth surface and can make the process and use that bit easier.

Adding this wax coating impacts the thickness of the floss and means that for some unwaxed floss is better for use in the tightest of spaces in the mouth.

The waxed floss tends to be stronger than the unwaxed. It is often more expensive too.

The type of wax used can affect the environmental impact of your floss. Some waxes are also derived from animal products, some from plant products, and some from plastics or oils.

Traditional nylon floss is normally coated in per-fluorinated chemicals (PFCs) as the “wax”, the health and environmental effects of which are relatively unknown.

Unwaxed floss can often reach or fit in tighter gaps, is cheaper and just as effective. 

Ultimately, It is a personal choice. There is no evidence to support using one over the other. 

Why shouldn’t I reuse dental floss?

Reusing dental floss may seem like an effective way to cut down on waste. If using your floss more than once, you will overall use less of it. 

But reusing regular dental floss — that made of silk, nylon, or bio-based plastic — is not recommended. 

This is because it can fray, causing damage to the gums and is more likely to harbour bacteria.

It will also lose its effectiveness as it is used.

Finally, reusing floss is not recommended as it can deposit bacteria in the mouth.

Should I try DIY dental floss? 

You may be tempted to use a DIY floss from another compostable thread such as cotton, or want to reduce waste by reusing an existing material.

As a dentist, I do not recommend making your own floss from second hand threads and materials found around the house.

There is a risk of bringing bacteria into your mouth and underneath your gums. This could cause infections and abscesses in your gums.

Secondly, materials which are not designed for flossing may break and become dislodged in the gum. I have picked many pieces of debris out of the gum (normally pieces of food) and know that they can cause quite a lot of pain before they are removed.

Interdental brushes are the most effective tool, but do create waste

Interdental brushes really are the gold standard when it comes to cleaning between your teeth. I explain it more fully in this article, with all the evidence to back it up too. 

Studies have proven interdental brushes to be more effective at cleaning, compared to floss. They are also easier to use than floss, which really is no better than brushing alone unless you have perfect technique.

The problem is that most interdental brushes are full of plastic. The handles are made up of conventional fossil fuel based plastic, whilst the cleaning part is made up of multiple materials — including wire and nylon plastic bristles. This uses up finite resources in making the plastic.

One good thing is that interdental brushes are reusable, and with the right technique and care they can last up to a couple of weeks.

But, at the end of their useful lives, it is very hard to recycle interdental brushes. Not even TerraCycle accepts interdental brushes in most of their schemes!

If you want or need to use interdental brushes, ways to minimise their impact include:

• Opting for those that come in recyclable packaging.
• Switching the material handle to something recyclable or compostable.
• Using bio-based plastics to reduce the reliance on oil based plastics.
• Disposing of your interdental brush properly, so that the handles are recycled and only the smallest amount of waste (the bristles) go to landfill.

How sustainable is TePe, the market leader?

TePe are the market leader in interdental brushes. They are probably the brand your dental professional has recommended. 

The handles are plastic and there is a wire and bristle structure that do the actual cleaning.

Whilst these aren’t the most environmentally friendly option available, the company is striving towards eco-friendly practices.

What eco-friendly policies does TePe have?

• They use 100% renewable energy when making their products.
• They are aiming to achieve carbon neutral products and packaging in 2022.
• Using renewable alternatives to plastic – e.g. bio-based plastic for the handles of their interdental brushes.

They have a lot of information about their sustainability practices on their website. And have a guide to recycling all their products on this page.

When it comes to their toothbrushes and interdental brushes they have chosen a bio-based plastic alternative, rather than a biodegradable plastic.

TePe advises that if you take the bristles off, then the handle itself is actually recyclable with other plastics as a part of mainstream recycling facilities.

Bamboo interdental brushes

Bamboo is used as an alternative to plastic for everything from toothbrushes to cutlery.

Its benefits come from being a renewable resource that naturally grows quickly in the wild without fertilisers and with minimal water usage. 

It is promoted as a zero-waste material, popular for people seeking to live plastic free. It can be composted (after the bristles have been removed), although how long it takes to break down will depend on the compost pile and handle size. No manufacturers have tested the handles independently to confirm compostability.

Out of all the material options (plastic, bio-based plastic, metals), bamboo does have the lowest carbon emissions. Project Drawdown lists bamboo production on degraded land as one of their recommendations for reducing worldwide carbon emissions. 

However, there are concerns about whether or not bamboo is the best eco-friendly alternative.

There are concerns about sustainable sourcing and supply chains from China, as well as material wastage. I discuss this in more detail in the buyer’s guide.

In addition to this, bamboo is only truly a zero waste option if you have access to composting facilities, such as a garden waste collection or home compost pile. Otherwise, it will be sent to landfill.

Bamboo interdental brush products

Reusable handle interdental brush

One way to reduce waste from interdental brushes is to create a reusable handle, so that only the wire and bristles need to be replaced. This would minimise the amount of materials needed, and would also be easier to dispose of as the non recyclable part (wire and bristles) can easily be separated. If possible, you could actually collect the tips and send them to specialist recycling facilities, such as TerraCycle.

Using these you would still get the advantages of a more thorough clean of an interdental brush, with a convenient handle to make them easier to use.

Unfortunately there are not many products available at this time, and they can be difficult to source. Because of how unique they are they can also be more expensive than more mainstream options.

Curaprox Prime with interdental brush refill system

Curaprox Prime has an “interdental brush refill system”. With their brushes, you replace only the wire and bristle part, keeping the same handle.

The handle options include plastic or metal. It’s available to buy here from Growing Smiles.

Each new wire and bristle part has just a small amount of plastic on it, so there is much less waste overall. All the refills fit all of the handles. 

There is the option for a short handle which has a unique “o” design, or a longer handle that allows the bristles to be angled at the end. 

Packaging wise, the original sets and the refills come in recyclable card and clear plastic packaging.

Other products available include:

• E-Z interdental brush and tote or handle

Recycled plastic interdental brush handles 

Using alternative materials for handles can also greatly influence the carbon footprint of the products we use. Using post-consumer recycled material for the handles would reduce reliance on making new materials (bio-based plastic or otherwise), and recycled material is often praised as the best for the environment.

Opting for interdental brushes with recycled material handles gives you the cleaning benefits of the brush, whilst minimising the carbon footprint. Having a handle also makes them easier to handle and a more effective cleaning tool.

The downside of such a product is that it still needs responsible disposal when you are finished with it — be that through systems like TerraCycle, or dismantling the brush to recycle the handle and dispose of the bristle part separately.

Products available include:

• Wisdom re:new interdental brush
• ez Interdental Brushes by Premium Plus

Wisdom is a British brand offering a number of options for interdental brushes. I tested the re:new brushes as a more environmentally friendly option. These are a good alternative to bamboo brushes if you are in the UK, but are more difficult to get hold of elsewhere

Interdental brushes with no handle

Taking waste (or lack of) to the next level, you can use an interdental brush without a handle. You will still get the cleaning benefits of the bristle part, but will need to hold on to the wire rather than a handle. Or you could fashion your own handle at home.

Products available include:

• Vision perio
• Refills e.g. for E-Z interdental brush or Curaprox Prime

Woodpicks as interdental cleaning aids

Wooden floss picks, or sometimes called woodpicks, are small sticks made of some sort of wood. They can be round or triangular in shape. These may be seen as a plastic free alternative to other types of interdental cleaning.

Whilst they are plastic free, it is important to note that these offer limited benefits in terms of the environment unless you have the ability to dispose of them via composting waste. If, after using them you cannot recycle them, they will still be sent to a landfill site (or similar).

That said, the use of a renewable resource to make them is better than oil produced plastics, so long as the wood is sustainably managed e.g. with FSC accreditation.

When it comes to whether or not wooden interdental aids actually provide any benefit to your gum health, a review of the evidence showed that in some cases they may reduce bleeding gums over a short period of time. 

But as an ineffective cleaning aid, their usefulness is limited — testing showed that they do not actually remove any more plaque than brushing alone.

It is better to avoid using items which aren’t proven to provide a benefit. 

They can only be used in gaps which are large enough to fit them in, and users can find it difficult to get to the back teeth as they cannot twist or bend the woodpick.

Available products

Professionally made wooden interdental cleaning aids include:

• Dr Barman’s Woodsticks -made from Finnish birch, packaged in a plastic box, on cardboard with plastic packaging. 
• Wisdom Fresh Effect Woodsticks – doesn’t provide any information on the source of the wood. The picks come in a plastic box packaged with cardboard and plastic. 
• Humble bamboo interdental sticks – bamboo sticks in a cardboard box. 
• Thursday Plantation Chewing Sticks – birchwood sticks infused with tea tree oil, in a plastic box. 

My recommendation for woodsticks

I have not tested any of the woodsticks listed above. As a dentist, I wouldn’t recommend woodsticks for interdental cleaning due to their lack of effectiveness at removing plaque, and also because of the risk for harm coming from the wood splintering. 

That said, of all the choices above, the Humble bamboo interdental sticks are probably the best choice available. This is because there is plastic free packaging. And, as a well known dental brand, Humble will have undertaken strict testing to ensure the safety of their product.

Natural floss picks

Instead of using man-made options for interdental cleaning, it is possible to buy “natural” flosspicks.

These are the dried stems and flowers of the Ammi Visnaga plant. This is a common plant, also known as Toothpick Weed.

The idea is that you snap off one of the stems from the dried flower and use this to clean in between the teeth.

This is a natural alternative, which is compostable too. Many options on sale are imported from Morocco, although the plant can be grown worldwide.

Although these plants have been used for a long time — possibly thousands of years — for a range of medicinal products, there is not much research available. It does have some benefits in being anti-inflammatory. This literature review by Khalil et al. also explains extracts can have an effect against bacteria that cause oral diseases.

Despite historical use, there is no clinical evidence supporting the safety of their use as toothpicks. It is also worth noting that the plant can cause irritation of the skin. 

I would not recommend using these for interdental cleaning as they are not tested to prove they are not contaminated. This could cause problems when using them on the delicate gum area. There is also the risk of splintering and the splinters becoming embedded in the gums, causing inflammation and infection.

Comparison table of ‘eco-friendly’ interdental brushes

In the table below I’ve compared the various types of interdental cleaning tools.

Due to a lack of studies being completed, it’s difficult to say which choice is definitively the most eco-friendly, whilst also doing a good enough job of cleaning.

Given that the handle can go in compost or garden recycling waste, bamboo interdental brushes are a good choice. Anecdotally, I’ve found the wires and bristles easier to remove from bamboo handles than plastic handles.

Reusable handle brushes such as the Curaprox Prime are also a good choice because they create less waste.

Questions about eco-friendly interdental brushes

Are interdental brushes zero waste?

No, all interdental brushes will create waste because of the bristle and wire part, which needs to be replaced regularly for hygiene reasons.

Should I use interdental brushes?

If you have active gum disease or periodontitis you should choose interdental brushes over floss as they are more effective at cleaning. Better home cleaning will prevent the need for professional treatment which can create a lot of waste.

How do I pick the right size interdental brush?

The size of interdental brushes varies a lot. Your dental professional will likely have recommended the sizes you need depending on the gaps between your teeth.

I have compiled the table below to help select the right size brush from different brands. If you are unsure, take your brushes with you when you see a dental professional and ask their advice.

Reusable dental floss

There are some “reusable” dental floss options now available. These are made from silicone and are designed to be used multiple times. 

After each use, simply rinse and allow it to air dry.

In theory, having a reusable option will reduce the total amount of waste produced. Although there is no evidence to support or refute this.

The floss itself is made up of two rings, which are designed to place your fingers into, joined together by a string. The string can also have indentations on it, which manufacturers say helps to “massage” the gums and improve cleaning.

One question surrounds how environmentally friendly the use of silicone is.  Yes, it is durable, so it lasts longer. But it is made from oil (fossil fuels). It is also hard to recycle, with only specialist schemes accepting it. This means end of life options are limited, and it contributes to landfill waste.

The silicone itself can be quite thick, but is stretched out between the fingers. This is easier to do than with regular floss. However, it would still be too thick for crowded teeth and some people may struggle with this.

Reusable floss pros & cons

Reusable floss products

Below is a summary of the reusable floss products I have tested or researched.

My testing and recommendation for best reusable dental floss

I tested simplyfloss and found it to be easy to use. I found you needed to stretch it quite far to fit between the teeth, but this was easy enough to do. I could see that the floss removed debris from between the teeth so it does have some effectiveness too. It didn’t irritate the gums in the same way that string floss can do when used incorrectly.

That said, I am cautious about recommending reusable dental floss as an eco-friendly alternative for cleaning between the teeth. That is because the material is made from fossil-fuel based silicone, and is difficult to recycle. Additionally, interdental brushes are the most effective cleaning option for anyone who has gum disease.

Other options I haven’t tested yet

I have not yet had a chance to test these, but other reusable floss options include:

• Gummy Floss
• Simply Travel Silicone Floss 

The problem with floss picks

A floss pick is a device to hold the floss. Whilst flossing is not necessarily the most effective way to clean between the teeth (see our post on water flossing vs floss vs interdental brushes), there are some pros and cons to using flossing tools to clean between your teeth.

They make it easier to get the right technique, help you to reach the back teeth, and help create a regular flossing habit. 

Many options are disposable after one use. The problem is that:

1. There is heavy use of plastic, which uses up finite resources (oil used to make plastic). 
2. They are usually deemed single use (such a short stretch of floss should not be reused for hygiene reasons).
3. They are impossible to recycle with the floss still attached. 

One option is to still buy single use flossing tools, but choose more sustainable material to make them. Although there are some now being made with “biodegradable” materials, there is still a lot of waste for a single use item.

An alternative is using a reusable handle. You only need to replace the floss after use, keeping the holder. This minimises the waste produced every day. In fact, these may be better than using just string floss in the long term as you use much less floss each time (compared to wrapping it around your fingers).

These reusable holders can come in a variety of materials and designs, and require less plastic in the long run. You can pick your type of floss or tape depending on your preferences, out of the categories described above.

There are no studies directly assessing the environmental impact of different ways of cleaning between your teeth, but it is fairly safe to assume that the several grams of single use plastic is worse than something reusable.

There is also no evidence to suggest one type of holder is better than another for your gum health.

How reusable floss picks work

Reusable floss picks are dental floss holders. They consist of a handle and two “arms”. 

You stretch some floss between the two arms. Sometimes the floss is provided with your original purchase, but you can use any floss. Once you are finished, you remove the floss and dispose of it.

The handle itself can be made of a range of different materials, with common options including durable plastic, or metal. 

A plastic option should not necessarily be avoided for environmental reasons, as it is not single use. There are many benefits to using plastic, especially if it is made in an eco-friendly way. They last a long time, are easy to clean, and are lightweight (good for travel).

Metal options may be slightly heavier but are very hard wearing. Often they can be cleaned in a dishwasher.

One good thing with using a holder is that it will actually reduce the total amount of floss you use. Only a small amount is needed between the arms, and this is significantly less than the amount of floss needed to wrap around your fingers. In some ways this may be even more environmentally friendly than not using a holder.

Reusable floss holder products

Are there any environmentally friendly single use floss picks?

We would advise against using single-use disposable flosspicks (also known as floss harps or flossettes) because of their environmental impact.

They produce a lot of waste per use, regardless of the material used. 

These floss holders come with the floss already attached. You do not need to buy separate floss and floss it yourself. They are convenient to use.

However, because they are already pre-flossed you do not have so many choices when it comes to which type of floss is used. There is a chance that the floss is not so environmentally friendly.

However, there are now some slightly more environmentally friendly options for the handle itself:

• Bio-based plastic – also called plant-based material or corn-based material – see this section for a discussion about these “biodegradable” materials.
• Bamboo handles – uses bamboo to make the handle (which should then be compostable, although the floss may need to be removed).

Available products

Questions about eco-friendly floss picks

Should I pick a reusable floss pick or a biodegradable single use one?

A reusable floss pick is the better option for the environment. There is less waste generated with each use.

Why can’t I reuse floss picks?

The floss on the floss picks shouldn’t be reused.  This is because it can fray, causing damage to the gums and are more likely to harbour bacteria.

It will also lose its effectiveness as it is used as it becomes less taught.

What floss can I use with a reusable floss pick?

Any floss can be reused with a reusable floss pick. You might want to pick the most eco-friendly floss based on our recommendations above.