Simple Swaps (affordable zero waste dental care)
Although in England we are fortunate to be able to find a GP on the NHS, it’s more difficult to find a dentist, with many people literally pulling out their own teeth, as they can’t afford private dental care.
For emergencies, you can phone NHS 111 and be referred to the nearest emergency dental clinic (you’ll only pay NHS prices for treatment) or as a last resort, visit A & E.
Private dental care prices are astronomical (up to £1000 for a crown) or even £100 to register for a check-up and the same for a polish and clean. Insurance plans are not usually worth it for big work (only to spread the cost for check-ups) and 0% interest may be okay, but many people won’t qualify.
Never use brands of toothpaste, gum or mouthwash sweetened with xylitol near pets (if they lick leftovers from around your mouth or sink, it could be fatal – there should be pack warnings).
How to Find Affordable Dental Care
- Use the NHS website to find local practices accepting NHS patients. You’ll be lucky to find one.
- Some people on benefits (plus children and pregnant women) and NHS Low Income Scheme qualify for free treatment (free services cover pain, fillings and antibiotics).
- Dentaid The Dental Charity runs mobile and pop-up clinics nationwide, and also works with shelters and food banks.
- Community Dental Services supports homeless people and those with special needs (learning disabilities, mental health issues or severe anxiety – being ‘frightened of dentists’ doesn’t count!
- Dental schools offer up to 50% discount (treatment is by supervised students, before they qualify).
- Some dentists offer ‘sliding scale rates’ based on income, or bundles for several treatments for one payment.
If your dentist recommends a package of treatment to pay with insurance, ensure he or she is only doing what you need (a few knowing the treatment is covered, may add unnecessary extras like cosmetic procedures. It may be 0%, but you’re still paying for it.
Most dentists say having cheap treatment abroad is not a good idea, because it’s often not of the same standard, and if your crowns or bridges fall off once home, you’ll have to pay for a dentist here anyway. All UK dentists are registered with the British Dental Council, for best practice.
Switch to a Zero Waste Toothbrush
Dentists tell us to change our toothbrush every three months, and that means billions of plastic toothbrushes are languishing on landfills. You can buy bamboo toothbrushes (don’t leave them in water, they will biodegrade away!)
But far better is a reusable toothbrush (with a stainless steel handle). You then just buy heads every three months, and keep the handle forever.
Barnaby’s Soft Grip Toothbrush has a weighted steel handle (so won’t slip in wet hands) and every few months, just unclick the head and replace with a new one.
Evermore Bamboo Toothbrush is a similar idea, designed with an upcycled cork gasket, so the brush won’t wobble, when you clean your teeth. The stainless steel head, means the toothbrush can stand on its own, without need for a toothbrush holder.
Eco-Friendly Electric Toothbrushes
Georganics sonic toothbrush (use code AWIN15 for 15% discount) is an eco alternative to an electric toothbrush. When you buy buy replacement heads, just send a minimum of 5 old heads to Free-post Georganics Oral Care Ltd, for recycling.
Avoid their gum if you live with pets, as it contains xylitol.
Ideal to prevent bleeding and swollen gums, the brush has 3 speed adjustments, so can be used by people with braces. It also has a 2-minute auto-timer and up to 5 weeks battery use, with USB plug. Certified waterproof and CE approved.
SURI Electric Toothbrush has replaceable heads with freepost return. It features optical technology for inter-dental cleaning, with uniquely positioned firm soft bristles. These remove plaque and food easily, from teeth and gums.
The toothbrush lasts around 40 days on a single charge, so you don’t have to worry about lugging around charging cables, if travelling. The quiet brush is also designed to not disturb others, while at home.
Waken Precision-Power Sonic Toothbrush
Waken’s sonic toothbrush (with replaceable heads), you can send back your old one for recycling. Choose from graphite grey, dusty rose or mint blue.
Only their sensitive toothpaste is free from xylitol, don’t use other ones near pets. Change the brush heads on a dry brush (for adults only, children would find it too powerful).
This brush removes over a third more plaque than a manual toothbrush, and gives up to 60 uses per charge. Choose from three brushing modes (sensitive, daily and deep clean). The 2-minute timer even pulses every 30 seconds, to remind you to brush all four corners of your mouth equally!
The soft bristles are made with castor oil (gentle on your gums but tough on plaque) and the handle is made from recycled plastic (all made with clean energy).
Switch to Natural Vegan Toothpastes
Waken Sensitive Care Toothpaste is one of the best on the market (it’s the only xylitol-free one in the range, the others are okay for pet-free households).
Always supervise children using fluoride toothpastes (only for over 7 years) and encourage them to spit out the rest. You can recycle the tubes at kerbside or Boots stores.
Free from foaming agents and titanium dioxide, so this toothpaste won’t foam and is not white, but made with natural ingredients in partially recycled tubes. Flavoured with spearmint, it contains extracts of chamomile and calendula. Sold with a toothpaste squeezer key to get every last drop!
Green People organic vegan toothpastes are sold in easy-to-recycle sugar-cane tubes. These are also free from nasties, and sold in fresh mint or peppermint (and mandarin or spearmint for children).
Georganics Toothpastes (use code AWIN15 for 15% discount) are sold in glass jars with metal lids, and bamboo spatulas to apply to your toothbrush. Sold alongside tooth powders and tooth soap.
Avoid Georganics gum if you live with pets, as it contains xylitol.
These are made with food-safe ingredients, there is a fragrance-free version, whitening charcoal version and flavoured ones (peppermint, spearmint, orange) and fluoride toothpastes.
The hydroxyapatite toothpastes contain a natural tooth mineral (in fluoride-free or fluoride versions), sold in easy-to-recycle aluminium tubes.
GeoKids (use code AWIN15 for 15% discount) is made with organic fruit extracts and essential oils, for older children. Supervise children when brushing teeth, to ensure no swallowing of fluoride.
The sonic toothbrush (for children over 3) has fun patterns, a 2-minute auto-timer and two interchangeable brush heads in different colours. So siblings can share the same handle.
Zero Waste Mouth Wash Tablets
Georganics mouthwash tablets (use code AWIN15 for 15% discount) are made with natural gentle ingredients, and natural flavours like spearmint or orange. They are sold in glass jars with aluminium lids or compostable refill packs. Just add one tablet to a glass of water, let it fizz, swish in your mouth for 30 seconds, and rinse.
Avoid this brand’s gum if you live with pets, as it contains xylitol.
Place a slice of cucumber on the roof of your mouth for 30 seconds, for fresh breath!
Switch to Zero Waste Vegan Dental Floss
Georganic Dental Floss (use CODE AWIN15 for 15% discount) is free from beeswax or silk, and made with corn or bamboo fibre (gentle on your gums). At end of use, just compost it, right down to the packaging. The quality fibres mean that the floss glides easily between teeth, without shredding. And won’t break, even if sliding between close teeth.
Avoid this brand’s gum if you live with pets, as it contains xylitol.
