Davids blog
a fresh take on plastic free july: from mindfulness to zero waste toothpaste
More than just a pledge to reduce plastic waste for a month, Plastic Free July is one of the biggest environmental movements of our time. Rebecca Prince-Ruiz (founder of the Plastic Free Foundation) and a small team in Australia started Plastic Free July in 2011, and in just over a decade, it has grown from a simple inspiring initiative to a full-blown global movement.While a 100% plastic-free month might sound daunting, the core purpose of Plastic Free July is to increase awareness around plastic consumption and empower you to make simple swaps you can continue for months and years to come. Trust us, once you start making these mindful swaps (like switching from conventional toothpaste to our zero waste toothpaste), they can quickly become second nature. To spark some inspiration, let’s start by unwrapping some of the extraordinary positive impacts of Plastic Free July. the incredible impacts of Plastic Free July In just five years, Plastic Free July participants have saved 1.4 billion kgs of plastic and a whopping 10 billion kgs of total waste. In 2023 alone… 89 million people in over 190 countries participated in Plastic Free July. In their households, participants avoided: 900 million kg of non-recoverable waste. 700 million kg of recyclable waste. 240 million kg of plastic waste. The movement reached 29% of consumers. 87% of challenge participants maintained at least one lasting change. The top six participating countries included China, India, the US, South Korea, Italy, and Brazil. Let’s keep it up this year! You can take the challenge and explore resources to get you started on your journey. We’re sharing some of our top tips below! our top tips to get you started As the ancient proverb goes, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” master mindfulness. Whether you’re mindful of it or not, you’re going to encounter plastics every single day…probably everywhere you go! By taking your brain out of autopilot and shifting into mindfulness, you can start to take note of all the unnecessary plastics in your life. We encourage you to pause, take a deep breath, and scan your body and your surroundings throughout your day. You might be surprised how much this helps with your Plastic Free July journey! start small. Before Plastic Free July rolls around, try to take inventory of some single-use plastic products you run into daily/weekly. Maybe it’s plastic produce bags at the grocery store or the lid on your take-out coffee cup. Start there! keep a list. Identify plastic products room by room in your home/workplace. In the bathroom, you might find items like shampoo and conditioner bottles, plastic toothpaste tubes, or deodorant. In your kitchen, think of things like cleaning products, dish soap, and paper towels (which usually come packaged in plastic). Keep a list of these, so that when you run out of your current items, you can replace them with plastic-free alternatives even after Plastic Free July! ask for (or bring) alternatives when you go out. Dining out is a huge culprit when it comes to single-use plastic waste. When getting started on Plastic Free July, be prepared for common plastics when you go out: skip the straw, bring your own cutlery, ask for paper to-go boxes, and skip the plastic bag. This is a great way to make an impact and spread the word to your friends (and restaurant staff) throughout Plastic Free July! Check out the Getting Started page on the Plastic Free July website to explore their tips for avoiding plastic produce bags, coffee cups, plastic bags, meat packaging, and so much more. simple plastic-free swaps from Davids More and more people are catching on to the fact that the conventional oral care world has some pretty dirty plastic secrets, and we’re so proud to bring you premium plastic-free products that challenge the status quo. Here are a few of our favorite Davids oral care swaps to kickstart your Plastic Free July. refillable floss: if we assume that every person in the US purchases three floss containers per year, that’s over 700 million plastic containers thrown away annually in the US alone. Note that this is only an estimate, as many people don’t floss (which is a tragedy in itself). Our refillable floss solves this plastic waste problem…you never have to throw it away! Simply grab a refill to put in your existing container, so you can easily start reducing this shocking 700 million number. zero waste toothpaste: you’ve probably heard us say this before, but it’s estimated that close to one billion plastic toothpaste tubes make their way into landfills and pollute natural ecosystems every year in the US. Our zero waste toothpaste comes packaged in an infinitely recyclable aluminum tube, so you can avoid contributing to this pile of tubes. Not to mention, you can enter the following message on Line 2 of your address field at checkout to truly make it a zero waste toothpaste! ***REMOVE TUBE KEY/CAP/BOX*** bamboo toothbrush: just like toothpaste tubes, Americans throw away over one billion plastic toothbrushes per year. You can avoid contributing to this issue by swapping to a bamboo toothbrush, which can decompose in as little as a few weeks when you send it to a commercial composter in your area. Not to mention, bamboo is naturally antibacterial, and bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants in the world. It’s the perfect material for a household item that must be replaced every three months! stainless steel tongue scraper: some tongue scrapers out there are made with plastic grips (or made completely out of plastic). Our stainless steel tongue scraper is exactly that…100% stainless steel. It’s durable, effective, easy to use (preferred by dental professionals), and dishwasher safe, so you can use it safely for the rest of your life. Consider it the perfect addition to your long-term, plastic-free oral care routine! The best part? These simple swaps can easily lead to long-lasting changes, nurturing your health and the health of the planet far beyond Plastic Free July! Buy Your Premium Toothpaste Now.
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small tool, big impact: brushing up on the eco-benefits of bamboo toothbrushes
You’ve heard that bamboo toothbrushes are better for the environment, but do you know exactly why? Of course, at face value, bamboo seems better than plastic. It’s natural, it’s biodegradable, and it’s not very resource intensive...things that plastic simply can’t claim. But there are even more bamboo toothbrush benefits below the surface. From sequestering carbon during the growth phase to releasing fewer greenhouse gasses during the manufacturing phase, bamboo toothbrushes have a far smaller environmental footprint than their plastic counterparts, and they’re gentler on your oral microbiome. Sounds like a win-win to us! Now, to shine a light on all the positives of the bamboo toothbrush, let’s dive into some of the negatives of the plastic toothbrushes that have been around (and will stay around) for far too long. how long does it take for a plastic toothbrush to decompose? Experts estimate that it takes around 500 years (maybe even up to 1,000 years) for a single plastic toothbrush to decompose. Even then, the pieces simply decompose into smaller microplastics, which have the power to pollute ecosystems in a less obvious way. It’s difficult (if not impossible) to recycle plastic toothbrushes because they’re so durable, and their small parts can clog up recycling equipment. Most get lost in the process and make their way to landfills, open fields, oceans, rivers, and other waterways, harming delicate ecosystems and precious wildlife. The plastic toothbrush, as we know it, has only been around since 1938....meaning every conventional toothbrush that has ever been made is still lingering around out there. (That’s part of the reason why we don’t truly know how long it takes for one to decompose.) You’ve probably heard us say before that 1 billion toothbrushes (equal to roughly 50 million pounds of plastic waste) end up in landfills every year in the US alone. Isn’t it time we switched to a better option, say the bamboo toothbrush? other environmental impacts of plastic toothbrushes Did you know that both the toothbrush handle and bristles in a conventional toothbrush are derived from petroleum oil? This leads to a lot of environmental pollution throughout the manufacturing process: extracting the petroleum oil → transporting it → refining it for manufacturing → and managing the plastic waste at the end of life. P.S. If you’re set on a plastic toothbrush, using a toothbrush with a replaceable head can help you reduce plastic toothbrush waste by 30%. But we much prefer our bamboo toothbrush, and we’ve outlined exactly why below. bamboo toothbrushes can decompose in just a few weeks If you send your bamboo toothbrush to your local commercial composting facility, it will decompose in just a few weeks. Five weeks for a bamboo toothbrush versus 500 years for a plastic toothbrush? We’ll take that any day. Worst case scenario, if you even just throw your bamboo toothbrush into your garden, it will still only take up to 10 years to decompose. But we recommend stocking up on bamboo toothbrushes and getting to know your local composting facility. Just search “commercial compost near me” to get to know your local spots. Now, let’s talk about some of the less obvious benefits of a bamboo toothbrush. Unlike plastic, bamboo is a real plant! Did you know that it can absorb 2x the carbon dioxide that trees can while generating 30% more oxygen? On top of that, bamboo is a fast-growing plant that can thrive in many environments without harmful pesticides and fertilizers. Throughout the manufacturing process, bamboo toothbrushes involve less energy, less water, and less greenhouse gas emissions than their plastic counterparts. What’s not to love? why do we call ours the best bamboo toothbrush? We’ll be the first to say that opting for any bamboo toothbrush is better for the planet than continuing on the path of plastics. With so many on the market, we wanted to round up a few important details that set our bamboo toothbrush apart from the competition. 100% natural bamboo handle: if you see color or other embellishments on your bamboo toothbrush, you might want to ask if it’s 100% natural bamboo. Our bamboo toothbrushes are just that…true bamboo. plant-derived, BPA-free bristles: our soft, BPA-free bristles are derived from castor oil. Unlike many others that are derived from petroleum oil, even our bristles are better for the environment (and your body) than their conventional counterparts. soft, gentle mouthfeel: our soft high-performance bristles deliver a powerful clean that removes plaque without being too harsh on your enamel, gums, and mucosal lining. The natural bamboo is easy to grip, allowing you to easily and gently maneuver it in those hard-to-reach corners of your mouth. sleek and minimalistic: everyone loves a toothbrush that looks as good as it performs, and ours sports a simple, natural look that will shine on your bathroom shelves. While 30 billion toothbrushes worldwide can feel like a problem too big to face, we want to encourage you that together, our small daily steps can add up to big leaps in the right direction. There’s power in numbers, and if we all begin the transition to daily oral care products that are better for the planet (and your body), we can make a big difference. Why not start the journey with a bamboo toothbrush? buy now
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bamboo is a no-brainer: why it’s the best material for your sustainable toothbrush
The bamboo toothbrush is taking the oral care world by storm. As more and more people hop on the bamboo bandwagon (hey, we’re right there with you), we’re taking a moment to explore exactly why bamboo is the chosen one. From its antibacterial properties to its ability to grow at shocking speeds, there are so many reasons bamboo is the perfect material for a sustainable toothbrush. Not to mention, did you know that it's stronger than steel? Read on to discover some more surprising facts about bamboo....and how we created the best bamboo toothbrush for you. bamboo is the fastest-growing plant in the world What makes bamboo the best material for a sustainable toothbrush? Not only does it grow quickly, but it also grows in a way that promotes soil health and overall healthy ecosystems. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, some species of bamboo can grow up to 1.5 inches per hour (up to 20 feet in one week), making it the fastest-growing plant in the world. Unlike most trees, bamboo can reach its peak maturity within a single growing season of just 3-4 months. Bamboo grows by channeling its energy to “root” expansion, allowing each stalk to grow at a rapid rate. These stalks do not rely on leaves to generate energy, as they can rely on the energy stored at the core of the stalk. On top of this, once you cut the bamboo stalk, it will simply regenerate without harming the original “mother” plant. In fact, cutting the stalk actually stimulates more growth. So it’s possible to continuously harvest the same stalk of bamboo without disrupting the ecosystem, compromising the soil health, or completely wiping out the forest. This is amazing news when it comes to creating a product that needs to be replaced every 2-3 months, like your bamboo toothbrush! To take it a step further, bamboo can actually remove toxic substances from the soil, transform the substances into nutrients, and use those nutrients for self-growth. (Hmm, maybe bamboo is trying to teach us a life lesson too?) As you can see, these qualities make bamboo one of the most sustainable, regenerative, and practical materials to use for a product with a relatively short lifespan. No wonder it’s become the most popular material for a sustainable toothbrush! bamboo efficiently removes carbon from the atmosphere In addition to all the amazing things bamboo can do for soil health, it can also remove impressive amounts of carbon from the atmosphere (something our atmosphere desperately needs these days). In some cases, it can sequester carbon at 2-6 times faster than other trees. The other piece of good news? Bamboo can draw down carbon even better when it’s responsibly managed and rigorously harvested....another indication that responsibly harvesting bamboo (and using a bamboo toothbrush every single day) is actually good for the planet! your bamboo toothbrush is antibacterial Bamboo is known for its innate antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. Because you’re likely replacing a (non-porous) conventional plastic toothbrush with a bamboo toothbrush, we understand you might want to be assured that the new natural material you’re using has the ability to fight (rather than absorb) bacteria. Our bamboo toothbrush is coated with vegan wax to add a “buffer” between bacteria and the bamboo (and to give the toothbrush a soft, smooth mouthfeel). This further helps to repel bacteria from building up on your bamboo toothbrush. After each use, be sure to rinse your bamboo toothbrush and give it the space and time to dry. We don’t recommend storing it in a tight space or in a small cup where the residual water and bacteria can build up. Just like any other toothbrush, we recommend changing out your bamboo toothbrush every 2-3 months....or even sooner if you’ve been sick or your brush has been exposed to contaminants. your bamboo toothbrush is durable yet biodegradable Bamboo is a very durable and resilient material, which is why it’s become the go-to for your sustainable toothbrush as well as cutlery, straws, and even housing construction. It has a tensile strength of 28,000 pounds per square inch, which might not mean much to you without us mentioning that steel has a tensile strength of 23,000 pounds per square inch. Needless to say, you don’t have to worry about your bamboo toothbrush “snapping” as you put pressure on it (but not too much pressure for the sake of your teeth and gums). Although bamboo is extremely durable, it’s also biodegradable. Depending on your compost approach, your bamboo toothbrush can return to the soil in a matter of weeks. Speaking of composting, you have a few options when the time comes to dispose of your bamboo toothbrush. First, make sure you pull out the bristles with some pliers, then: You can send your bamboo toothbrush to a commercial composting facility, where it’ll break down in just a few weeks. (This is our top recommendation.) You can throw it in your at-home compost, where it’ll decompose in roughly 4-6 months. You can plant it horizontally in your garden, where it should break down in about three years. As a last-ditch effort, you can just throw the bamboo toothbrush in your garden. While we don’t recommend this method, it’ll eventually decompose in 5-10 years, which is much faster than the 1,000+ years it takes for plastic to decompose. Once you get the hang of using and composting your bamboo toothbrush, you’ll see it’s the best sustainable toothbrush option out there. what makes the Davids bamboo toothbrush different? There are quite a few reasons we call ours the best bamboo toothbrush. First, the handle is made of 100% natural bamboo, and it’s coated in a smooth vegan wax for a gentle mouthfeel. It also uses soft, high-performance, BPA-free bristles that are derived from plant oil (specifically castor oil, which is known to be anti-inflammatory and antioxidant). This is an important note because many toothbrush bristles are made of plastic derived from petroleum oil which can introduce unnecessary toxins into your oral care routine. Last but certainly not least, our bamboo toothbrush comes in FSC-certified sustainable packaging, meaning it’s harvested responsibly without contributing to deforestation. This packaging aligns beautifully with the bamboo toothbrush itself, championing healthy forests, soil, ecosystems, and agriculture practices around the world. buy now.
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new year, new chance to create an oral care routine that supports your whole body
Another year has come and gone, giving us all a fresh chance to be the best versions of ourselves. When thinking about your resolutions, we want to make sure you don’t brush over your oral health routine. You might already know this about us, but we believe oral health is the window to your overall health. While that can sound intimidating, it can also be exciting! Establishing a new elevated oral care routine in 2024 can open new doors of health, vibrancy, and balance in your life. Don’t believe us? We hope this article brings you to the bright (pearly white) side. why take a holistic approach to oral health? At Davids, we’re all about minimalism. But when it comes to oral health, we know that things are never as simple as they seem. Oral health is not just oral health, it’s the window to your overall health. Your oral microbiome (mouth) works very closely with your gut microbiome to lay the foundations of your overall well-being. Think about it this way: when you swallow (which you do consciously and subconsciously all day long), bacteria, pathogens, and other microorganisms travel from your mouth to your gut. If the bacterial balance in your mouth is out of whack (more bad than good), this can not only lead to plaque buildup, tooth decay, and gum disease, but it can also lead to gut dysbiosis. Dysbiosis in the gut has been linked to whole-body impacts such as cognitive disease, mental health struggles, autoimmunity, mood swings, insomnia, indigestion, acid reflux, acne, insulin resistance, and beyond. At the very least, we know that when bad bacteria take over in your mouth and gut, it can lead to inflammation throughout your entire body. We want to avoid that. To do so, we invite you to “zoom out,” see oral health as a crucial piece of the puzzle, and use it as motivation to align the rest of your self-care routine to nurture the best version of yourself. the oral care core trifecta Now that we’ve covered oral care as part of your overall health, it’s time to cultivate an oral care routine that checks all the boxes. It’s no secret that when flossing, brushing, and tongue scraping come together, the result is greater than the sum of its parts. 1: flossing with safe dental floss Do you really need to floss? The answer is a resounding yes. If you’re brushing over this essential step, your oral care routine might only be reaching 65% of your teeth....leaving 35% of your pearly whites in the dark. The new year presents a new opportunity to start your flossing routine, and our new expanding dental floss is the perfect product to get you started. It’s woven with 250+ soft threads for softness and durability, so you don’t have to worry about shredding as you reach those tight spaces. The threads have the ability to expand, increasing the surface area as you go to grab more plaque and debris in those hard-to-reach places. Our dental floss is also infused with cocoa butter, premium mint oils, and hydroxyapatite for a fresh clean that remineralizes your enamel as you go. As a safe dental floss, it avoids the PFAS (harmful forever chemicals) that are found in many conventional floss brands. 2: brushing with a bamboo toothbrush + premium toothpaste This probably isn’t the first time you’ve heard us talk about the importance of brushing. After all, we are a toothpaste brand! To avoid sounding like a broken record, we’ll leave you with a couple of interesting statistics. A 2023 report reveals that 59% of adult Americans developed better oral care habits during the pandemic, and they plan to maintain them. Yet only 79% of adults reported brushing their teeth twice a day, and 17% of people aren’t brushing long enough. Time and time again, we’ve seen that brushing twice daily for two minutes is crucial for fighting plaque and preventing oral complications like tooth decay and gum disease. We invite you to make 2024 the year you commit to brushing twice daily for two minutes each. Our bamboo toothbrush and premium toothpaste might just be the motivation you need to hone this habit. After all, our bamboo toothbrush is soft, sustainable, and comfortable....and our toothpaste flavors range from delicious peppermint to perfectly sweet strawberry watermelon. 3: tongue scraping with a stainless steel tongue scraper Tongue scraping does a lot more than simply clean your tongue and freshen your breath. Dental Ayurveda states that different areas of your tongue are connected to specific vital organs throughout your body. By using a tongue scraper, you’re directly removing toxins from these areas while simultaneously stimulating the tissue. By association, Ayurveda suggests that this detoxification + stimulation also positively affects the associated organs, restoring inner balance and reducing your overall toxic load. On top of this, tongue scraping can also work to enhance your taste and improve your digestion by promoting a healthy bacterial balance in your mouth and gut. Dental professionals prefer the design of our stainless steel tongue scraper, as it uses 100% medical-grade stainless steel and has smooth, rounded edges. It also has a unique one-handed design, so it’s very easy to maneuver (this is extremely important for a movement that occurs very close to your gag reflex). If you want to start your new year off on the freshest possible note, add our tongue scraper to your oral care routine. Trust us, you’ll feel a difference right away. other important players We can’t talk about holistic oral health without mentioning diet, mindset, and stress. All of these factors play a huge underlying role in the state of your oral and overall health. diet: It can be easy to see how diet impacts your oral health, as your mouth is responsible for chewing and swallowing. It’s no secret that starchy, sugary foods have more of a negative impact on your teeth, while more protein-rich and nutrient-dense foods can improve your oral health. We recommend brushing up on this food guide article written by Dr. Anu Isaac, DMD. mindest: your mindset can play an important role in the success of your oral care routine. In an industry that’s been dominated by the same big brands (and ingredients) for decades, it can feel uncomfortable to question these norms and embrace new habits and ingredients. For example, maybe it feels weird to try tongue scraping instead of simply brushing your tongue. Maybe it feels intimidating to switch to hydroxyapatite when you’ve used fluoride for so long. We understand how uncomfortable it can be to change your habits, but we want to encourage you to remain open-minded and follow the science. stress: when it comes to oral care, stress might not be the first thing that pops into your head. But let’s check in: are you clenching your jaw right now? Do you wake up with tension headaches or a tight jaw? Clenching your jaw due to stress can have a huge impact on your oral health. Additionally, chronic stress can lead to things like dry mouth, which is a huge risk factor for gum disease and tooth decay. We invite you to take a deep breath, embrace mindfulness, explore meditation, and cultivate a mouth-friendly diet in the new year. All of these things can take your oral and overall health to new heights. make 2024 a fresh start The Davids essential bundle includes our bamboo toothbrush, sensitive+whitening hydroxyapatite toothpaste, and stainless steel tongue scraper for 20% off. Just add our brand-new expanding dental floss to the mix (and maybe a travel size toothpaste or two), and you have the perfect holistic oral care routine to start 2024 on the freshest possible note. From the Davids family to yours, Happy New Year! buy now.
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gifts that go the extra smile, with travel size toothpaste for your holiday adventures
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The holidays are full of love and laughter, and we want to make sure you and your loved ones feel your absolute best with a bright shining smile. In the spirit of the season, we’ve curated a healthy and holistic oral care gift guide featuring our favorite products + our travel size toothpaste, so you can stay fresh and healthy no matter where the holidays take you. It may be the season of giving, but we don’t want you to forget to take care of yourself! prepare for holiday trips Davids travel size toothpaste We hope to make your holiday travel plans smoother with our travel size toothpaste. These small-but-mighty (TSA-compliant) tubes come in three of our incredible formulas, each one with its own unique set of benefits. peppermint: you can’t go wrong with Davids classic peppermint formula. (Also, ‘tis the season for peppermint!) It works to whiten your teeth, fight plaque buildup, and freshen your breath with premium natural peppermint oil. Unlike its conventional counterparts, our peppermint toothpaste is free of SLS (a chemical foaming agent that commonly causes allergic reactions) and fluoride (for those of you who are rightly concerned about its full-body impacts). charcoal+peppermint: charcoal is the only kind of coal we want this holiday season, as it adds additional whitening capabilities to our original peppermint formula. Our coconut charcoal is safe on your enamel, so you can be sure it’s whitening gently without doing any harm. nano-hydroxyapatite (n-ha): you can think of n-ha as your sensitivity superhero ingredient, as it works meticulously to bond to your enamel and remineralize any “holes,” deficiencies, or imperfections that might be causing your sensitivity. Our hydroxyapatite takes a root-cause approach, relieving sensitivity at the source....even during your busiest travel season. Not to mention, all of these little tubes are made of infinitely recyclable aluminum, so you can feel good about the fact that you’re not contributing to the 1.5 billion plastic toothpaste tubes that end up in landfills every year. So, now that you’ve got your toothpaste travel companions sorted out, it’s time to make sure you show up to your holiday gatherings bearing mouth-healthy gifts! give the gift of a bright, healthy smile These oral care gifts are perfect for your wellness-loving friends, future brides and grooms, or anyone you know who’s looking to elevate their oral care routine! These gifts can also serve as a great reminder to prioritize self-care, especially for those people who tend to put their needs last. the Davids essential bundle While our travel size toothpaste makes the perfect stocking stuffer, our essentials bundle makes for the perfect well-rounded gift. It includes our... hydroxyapatite toothpaste: as we mentioned above, our hydroxyapatite toothpaste is your sensitivity superhero. In the essentials bundle, you get the full-sized tube, giving you a bigger dose of sensitivity relief and effective teeth whitening. bamboo toothbrush: our bamboo toothbrush is the perfect gift for those looking to cut back on plastic in their daily routine. The handle is made from 100% natural bamboo, and the bristles are high-performance + soft, derived from castor oil (not petroleum like many others). stainless steel tongue scraper: dental professionals prefer the unique one-handed design of our tongue scraper, and we know your loved ones will too. It’s constructed from stainless steel, so it’s soft on your tongue...and also dishwasher safe. When you buy this dream team as part of our essentials bundle, you’ll save 20% on the total cost. safe dental floss If you know someone who simply can’t get into flossing, a fresh new dental floss might be exactly what they need to cement the habit. Our newly launched Davids floss is meticulously crafted for peak performance, which can take some of the common frustrations out of flossing. Our floss is woven with 250+ strong but soft fibers, so it won’t tear as you go. It’s also coated with a smooth wax infused with cocoa butter and hydroxyapatite, which work together to repel plaque and remineralize your enamel in those hard-to-reach places. Unlike conventional floss, ours is free of harmful PFAS, making it a safe dental floss for you and your loved ones. natural mouthwash Natural mouthwash is the perfect gift for those looking to take freshness one step further. Most mouthwashes on the market are formulated with alcohol, chemical dyes, artificial sweeteners, and harmful bleaching agents. They’re made to completely wipe out the bacteria in your mouth, ignoring the fact that some of those bacteria are actually beneficial. But our natural mouthwash (launching in the new year!) is free of all those harmful additives. It’s fortified with xylitol, hydroxyapatite, vegetable glycerin, baking soda, and natural mint flavors. These amazing ingredients work together to enhance saliva flow (reducing symptoms of dry mouth), stabilize the pH of your mouth, reduce bad bacteria, strengthen your enamel, and freshen your breath. Sounds pretty amazing right? Until the launch of our natural mouthwash, we recommend _______. PAP teeth whitening In case you haven’t heard this from us already, PAP teeth whitening is the peroxide-free future of teeth whitening. Many of the whitening methods out there utilize hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide. Although these chemical bleaching agents are effective, they usually result in sensitivity and discomfort. This is because they release free radicals (harmful atoms) as they work, damaging the sensitive cells and tissues in your oral microbiome and wearing down your enamel. PAP (phthalimidoperoxycaproic acid), on the other hand, whitens without releasing free radicals. Whitening products formulated with PAP also typically include hydroxyapatite, the sensitivity superhero ingredient we keep shouting out in this article. With PAP, you can give the gift of a white smile without the harmful side effects. Stay tuned for an exciting announcement from us about PAP teeth whitening in the new year! But until then, you can gift (and stock up on) our sensitive+whitening hydroxyapatite toothpaste for a daily dose of healthy whitening. Buy Your Premium Toothpaste Now.
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how our bamBOO toothbrush and supernatural toothpaste help you fight the frights of Halloween
Spooky season has arrived, and Halloween is creeping up! The spirit of this season is both exciting and nostalgic, and we want to help you savor it in the most sustainable, mouth-friendly way. It’s no secret that Halloween is supposed to be scary. But perhaps some of the scariest parts of it are lurking in the shadows. the scariest sides of Halloween Ghosts, ghouls, and goblins might steal the “scary” spotlight on Halloween, but you can be sure that cavities and plastic waste are waiting for their turn at a jump scare. sugar surge Many news outlets claim Americans buy 600 million pounds of candy on Halloween. This sugar surge can cause some damage, especially to little ones’ whose teeth are still developing. How does sugar cause cavities? It “feeds” the bad bacteria in your mouth, allowing them to deposit acids on your teeth and form a gooey, damaging coating on your teeth (plaque). This plaque (and the bacteria and acids in it) eats away at your enamel, leading to sensitivity and tooth decay. Candies that are sticky, chewy, or long-lasting (like lollipops) can keep the sugar coating on your teeth for even longer than normal, really fueling those bacteria in your mouth to do some damage to your pearly whites. plastic waste On top of the oral care impacts of Halloween, it’s also one of the more wasteful holidays out there! Here are just some frightening facts about the plastic waste generated on Halloween. 40 million pounds of candy waste: it’s estimated that every trick-or-treater generates one pound of trash on Halloween, and there are over 40 million of them. Most (if not all) candy wrappers end up in landfills because they’re so hard to recycle. 2,000 tons of plastic costume waste: a UK study found that nearly 84% of Halloween costumes are made from plastic-derived materials, and almost half of them are only worn once. If these were to end up in a landfill, it would equal roughly 2,000 tons (83 million soda bottles) worth of plastic waste. plastic decorations: while there’s no way to truly estimate the waste generated from synthetic Halloween decorations, just think of all the plastic jack-o-lanterns, spiders, webbing, and other scary props out there. We hope everyone is reusing these year after year, otherwise, the plastic waste from Halloween keeps growing. our tips to fight these frights Keep up with your holistic oral care routine and be sure your little ones are doing the same. don’t indulge all day long: it’s better to enjoy your candy in short bursts, so the sugar has less time to “plant roots” on your pearly whites. This can look like grabbing just a few pieces of candy at a time or making sure you avoid those chewy, long-lasting types. drink your water: water can loosen some of the bacteria that might be getting too comfortable on the surface of your teeth. It can also help you return the pH of your mouth to a healthy level after some sugary snacks. brush after a candy craze: have you ever felt a rough coating on your teeth after eating some sugary snacks? Your teeth are telling you they want a little refresh! Grab your Davids bamboo toothbrush and premium toothpaste to freshen up after indulging. This is one of the best ways to nurture your long-term oral health (while avoiding plastics, too)! Explore new ways to ditch plastics. upcycle your costume: it’s pretty shocking how much Halloween costumes can contribute to plastic pollution. We hope these facts inspire you to DIY your Halloween costume from upcycled fabrics or old costumes! make your own Halloween treats: we know this one might be a little unrealistic if you get hundreds of trick-or-treaters at your door, but you can always consider making some homemade treats and wrapping them in a sustainable/recyclable material such as aluminum or beeswax wraps. use natural and/or reusable decorations: pumpkins are one of the best Halloween decorations! If you’re carving yours, we recommend repurposing the scraps in a yummy recipe. You can also DIY other Halloween decorations by upcycling materials around the house, visiting the thrift store, or reusing your old decorations every single year. Now, let’s dive into how our bamboo toothbrush can help nurture your long-term oral health while reducing plastic pollution all year long. how our bamBOO toothbrush and supernatural toothpaste can help On top of the frightful Halloween waste, did you know that 1 billion plastic toothbrushes and 1.5 billion plastic toothpaste tubes make their way into US landfills every single year? By switching to our bamboo toothbrush and sustainable toothpaste, you can eliminate your contribution to this plastic pollution altogether. And you can do so while still effectively nurturing your long-term oral health....even during one of the most sugary holidays of the year! Let’s dive into some of the biggest bamboo toothbrush benefits first. a bamboo toothbrush is safe: unlike other plants, bamboo doesn’t require pesticides or harsh chemicals during the growing process. It’s safe to use in your daily oral care routine, and it’s a great way to avoid putting plastics in your delicate oral microbiome. bamboo is naturally bacteria-fighting: it’s harder for bad bacteria to grow on the surface of a bamboo toothbrush, so you’re already starting with a cleaner slate. a bamboo toothbrush cleans effectively: our soft-bristle bamboo toothbrush can break down plaque, freshen your breath, and lower your risk of tooth decay when used daily. It does so without damaging your enamel or irritating your gums like some other toothbrushes. a bamboo toothbrush is easy to maneuver: bamboo is textured, so it doesn’t slip around like plastic. This makes it easier to reach all the tight corners of your mouth. a bamboo toothbrush is gentler on the planet: instead of a fate inside a landfill, your eco friendly toothbrush can decompose within weeks. You can send it to a commercial composter, put it in your home compost bin, or even plant it in your garden. No matter which way, it will eventually decompose and return to the soil, instead of contributing to plastic pollution. why Davids is the best bamboo toothbrush: our bamboo toothbrush is made with a comfortable bamboo handle coated with vegan wax to make sure it feels good in your hand and mouth. Unlike many other toothbrushes on the market with plastic bristles derived from petroleum, our bamboo toothbrush is made with BPA-free bristles derived from all-natural castor oil. You can brush happily knowing you’re using a truly eco friendly toothbrush. Now, let’s cover some of the many ways our premium toothpaste can help you minimize the impacts of the Halloween sugar craze, while also reducing your environmental impact. ultra-pure micro-abrasives: the micro-abrasives in our toothpaste are derived from sandstone and quartz powder. They work to safely “exfoliate” your enamel, removing bacteria, plaque, and other pathogens....without damaging your enamel or using any chemicals in the process. While other toothpaste brands might use low-quality imported micro-abrasives, ours are the highest-quality micro-abrasives sourced here in the USA. baking soda: the baking soda in our toothpaste works to kill the bad bacteria in your mouth, in turn, reducing plaque and taming bad breath. It also works to remove surface stains to whiten and polish your pearly whites! xylitol: this natural sweetener is very different from sugar, as it actually helps to kill the bad bacteria in your mouth. It does so by stimulating saliva production in your mouth, so it can naturally flush out bad bacteria to avoid the formation of plaque and restore your mouth to a healthy pH. premium mint essential oils: in addition to their fresh flavor, the peppermint oils in our toothpaste can actually fight bacteria. Research shows that peppermint oil is antibacterial against certain strains, including those that can cause cavities. nano-hydroxyapatite: hydroxyapatite is the hero ingredient when it comes to restoring and remineralizing damaged enamel (aka, reversing the damage that can lead to cavities). The nano-hydroxyapatite particles in our sensitive+whitening toothpaste work to repair your damaged enamel at the source, blocking exposed nerve passageways to relieve sensitivity and fight cavities. Not to mention, these particles already exist in your body, so this star ingredient is completely safe and biocompatible. Are you ready to outsmart the scariest parts of Halloween? Buy Your Premium Toothpaste Now.
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throw it "away" with care: your bamboo toothbrush can decompose within weeks
At the risk of sounding like a broken record....did you know that, in the US alone, roughly 1 billion (with a “b”) toothbrushes end up in landfills every year? Did you also know that it can take 500-1,000 years for a plastic toothbrush to decompose? Now, we don’t like to harp on the negative, but we feel that this is a devastating amount of plastic waste that many people don’t even think twice about. But we’re here to change that. As a company founded on the motto, “sustain nature+you” we’re always looking for new ways to clean up the oral care industry and provide healthy, natural, and sustainable options to optimize your oral care routine! One of these options is our amazing bamboo toothbrush, a sustainable alternative that can decompose within weeks. We know that opting for new, more sustainable products can be overwhelming. So to make things a little easier, we’re covering some of the most common ways to dispose of your bamboo toothbrush, so you can make sure it decomposes in as little time as possible. upcycle it Now, we couldn’t dive into the different composting options without mentioning all of the ways you can upcycle your bamboo toothbrush. Believe it or not, your bamboo toothbrush can live a long happy life once you’re done using it! We’ve outlined a few of our favorite upcycling ideas below. Use it to clean crevices and stubborn spots around the house. Whether you use it on the grout in your bathroom, stubborn spots on an old pan, a stain on your favorite pair of jeans, or the crevices in your favorite pair of shoes, your bamboo toothbrush can help you keep things sparkling clean. Remove the bristles to make garden markers. You can paint your bamboo toothbrush a fun color and use it to tell your herbs apart when you’re starting your garden! Since it’s recommended to replace your toothbrush every 3 months, it’s easy to collect these throughout the year. Then, come springtime, you’ve got plenty of garden markers for your new seedlings. Use it in a fun crafts project. Get creative here! Maybe you have a little one who’s working on a school art project, or you simply want to channel the low-waste artist inside you. We know that upcycling can seem hard at first, but once you start, we hope the creativity starts flowing....and finding second-life ideas for your bamboo toothbrush becomes second nature. how to compost a bamboo toothbrush If you know you don’t have any reason to upcycle it, make sure you remove the bristles with pliers and get to composting. Our bamboo toothbrush handles are 100% biodegradable, meaning no matter what you do, they will eventually decompose. This is one of the many bamboo toothbrush benefits to consider next time you need a new toothbrush. To speed up the process, we’ve outlined some of the most effective ways to dispose of it. send it to your commercial compost Commercial compost heaps are most effective at breaking down items such as bamboo toothbrushes because they’re operated at much higher temperatures than at-home compost. They also contain a wider range of materials and microorganisms that aid in the breakdown process! This means that when you send your bamboo toothbrush to an industrial compost like this, it will break down in a matter of weeks (versus the months or years it might take to decompose in an at-home compost bin or garden). If you’ve never sent something to a commercial compost in your area, don’t worry....it’s easy to figure out! Just start by searching “commercial compost near me” to see your options! The search should return facilities in your area as well as rules + regulations to be aware of. throw it in your at-home compost Do you have an awesome at-home compost going? If not, rest assured that summer is a great season to start! It’s not only the perfect place to dispose of biodegradable products like your bamboo toothbrush, but it’s an amazing way to make use of your food scraps, so you can avoid contributing ~120 billion pounds of food that end up in landfills each year. Did you know that experts estimate 30-40% of the entire food supply in America ends up as waste? All the more reason to give your food scraps a second life. To get your home compost started, we recommend this simple 5-step process outlined by NPR. Once your home compost is up and running, you can place your bamboo toothbrush inside and expect it to decompose in roughly 4-6 months. The actual time will depend on the temperature of your compost as well as the other items and microorganisms present in the heap. To speed things up, it can help to (safely) cut the toothbrush into smaller pieces using a saw. plant it in soil If you don’t have a home compost (apartment life or city living doesn’t always allow for this), you can also plant your bamboo toothbrush in soil. If you have a friend with a garden, you can plant it horizontally in the garden, and it will decompose in about three years. It’s not the most effective route, so we recommend trying out the first two options before this! Remember, a commercial compost facility is probably within reach, you just have to find it. last ditch effort: toss it in your garden Last and actually least: if you simply throw your bamboo toothbrush (without the bristles) into your garden, you can have peace of mind knowing it will eventually decompose. We don’t recommend this route....it’ll probably take 5-10 years to decompose this way. But at least that’s a teeny tiny amount of time compared to the 1,000+ years it could take for a plastic toothbrush to decompose! What makes Davids’ the best bamboo toothbrush To us, a bamboo toothbrush is a no-brainer. But things get tricky when it comes to choosing from the countless options on the market. We may be biased, but there are a few matter-of-fact things that set our bamboo toothbrush apart from the rest. First and foremost, our soft performance bristles are BPA-free and derived from castor oil. Unlike most toothbrushes out there that use bristles derived from petroleum, our plant-based bristles have soothing capabilities, as castor oil is known for its anti-inflammatory effects. The softness of our bristles allows for gentle, effective cleaning. We do not take shortcuts when it comes to bristle production, so you can brush happily knowing these high-quality bristles are good for your enamel and gums. Second, our bamboo handle is easy to maneuver and known for its smooth and gentle mouthfeel. So you can get to those hard-to-reach places in your mouth without causing any discomfort. And last but not least, our bamboo toothbrush comes in FSC-certified, sustainable packaging. So you can brush in peace knowing that Davids’ is the best bamboo toothbrush to sustain nature+you. buy now
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brush away the day: why your oral care routine is extra important before bed
Think about your day from your mouth’s point of view. You brush your teeth first thing in the morning, and then you move through your day consuming all kinds of things, many of which can do some damage to your delicate oral microbiome. Your morning coffee, your delicious lemon water, your favorite crunchy snacks, your afternoon sweet treat....the list goes on and on! Now, you’re getting ready for bed. Your mouth is craving a clean slate. Not only has it been through a lot today, but it’s about to enter a night of sleep, which brings on a whole new set of challenges. Don’t worry, because we care so deeply about your oral health, we’re going to discuss some of these challenges....and the perfect lineup of Davids products (our bamboo toothbrush, nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste, and tongue scraper) to bring you the perfect nighttime oral care routine to ensure your mouth continues to thrive through the night. what happens in your mouth overnight Trust us, there’s a lot that goes on behind closed lips at night. decreased saliva production When you’re sleeping, your saliva production naturally drops dramatically. Why is this such an important detail? Because saliva plays a critical role in flushing bacteria, keeping your mouth at a healthy pH, and preventing tooth damage and decay. When saliva production decreases overnight, it gives bacteria an ideal environment to fester and deposit damaging acids onto your enamel. This is a huge reason why it’s so important to start with a “clean slate” before your head hits the pillow. Not to mention, our natural formulas make for the best dry mouth toothpaste, as every single one contains moistening ingredients such as vegetable glycerin, birch xylitol, and natural mint oils that work to stimulate saliva production and fight bad bacteria. mouth breathing According to an online survey of over 1,000 Americans, it’s estimated that 71% of beds around the country host a mouth breather. What’s the big deal about mouth breathing? Well, it’s much more complicated than simply breathing through your mouth over your nose. When you breathe through your mouth at night, it can lead to numerous unwanted consequences. First off, you might wake up with dry mouth, bad breath, drool marks, and fatigue. We talked about how saliva production naturally decreases at night (and the negative effects of that), and mouth breathing can compound this issue. This is another reason it’s so important to make sure you’re starting the night with a clean mouth (and maybe using some mouth tape to encourage nose breathing, too). teeth grinding If you grind your teeth at night, you’re not alone. Teeth grinding (bruxism) is super common, and it has so many adverse effects. Bruxism can lead to things such as tension headaches, enamel damage, tooth pain, sore jaw muscles, restricted range of motion in your jaw, ear aches, gum recession, and more. All the more reason to take care of your teeth with a healthy oral care routine before you go to sleep. We recommend a routine that diligently involves nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste (which fortifies your enamel, as we’ll discuss below) and potentially a custom mouth guard that protects against bruxism. how Davids can help We know....yikes. A lot of nightmare-ish things can happen to your mouth while you sleep. But don’t worry, there are so many things you can do to protect your mouth overnight, and we have the products to help you do just that. It all starts with a healthy holistic oral care routine that you can look forward to every night. Here’s our favorite lineup. bamboo toothbrush Start by grabbing your Davids premium bamboo toothbrush. With its 100% bamboo handle, it’s the perfect toothbrush to get to all the hard-to-reach nooks of your mouth to make sure your mouth is squeaky clean before bed. Unlike many other products on the market, our bamboo toothbrush is made with soft, BPA-free bristles derived from castor oil (not petroleum). It’s the perfect tool to give your mouth a gentle clean before bed while doing something nice for the planet too! P.S. We can’t talk about our favorite nighttime oral care routine without mentioning floss! When you skip flossing, you could be leaving up to 30% of your teeth’s overall surface untouched before you go to bed. This is practically a field day for bacteria! So be sure to floss, so you can prevent bacteria from festering in all the tiny crevices of your teeth. We recommend Cocofloss, a sustainable vegan floss made with soft woven threads and cleansing coconut oil. nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste Next up, reach for Davids hydroxyapatite toothpaste. Brushing with our hydroxyapatite toothpaste before bed gives your enamel (which is already 97% hydroxyapatite, to begin with) a healthy dose of remineralization. The nano-hydroxyapatite particles bind to your enamel to fill small holes, scratches, and imperfections caused by bacteria and grinding....which we know can do some damage while you sleep! On the bright side, when you let nano-hydroxyapatite work its magic overnight, it gives your teeth an extra line of defense against nighttime issues such as dry mouth, mouth breathing, and teeth grinding. tongue scraper And last, but certainly not least, it’s time to scrape your tongue. You’ve probably heard your whole life about how important it is to brush and floss before bed, but has anyone told you how important it is to scrape your tongue before you sleep? If not, we’re here to do just that. Your tongue is a soft, cushy breeding ground for bacteria. And since nighttime is such a prime time for bacteria to wreak havoc, it’s super important that you scrape your tongue clean before bed. Tongue scraping might sound scary, but we promise it’s a very soothing technique. It’s been around for centuries, and for good reason. Tongue scraping has so many benefits, some of which include: clearing dead cells, bacteria, and toxins stimulating your tongue’s soft tissue enhancing your taste prevent bad breath (we know that can get worse overnight) decrease your body’s overall toxin load Our 100% medical grade stainless steel tongue scraper has a very unique one-handed design, so you can smoothly and easily swipe away unwanted bacteria at the end of the day. Why wouldn’t you want to give your mouth and body these amazing benefits before you hit the hay? buy now.
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our top five tips for taking care of your teeth and the planet while traveling
Traveling can be exciting and enlightening, but it can also be hard on your body (even your teeth). When journeying to a new destination, you can typically expect to be thrown out of your routine. Whether you’re traveling by plane, train, or car, you’re limited in terms of what self-care items you can bring along with you...as well as what amenities you have access to throughout your trip. Sure, there are all kinds of travel-sized products out there that you can bring along with you. But are they the best option when it comes to caring for your teeth and the planet? To help answer this question, we’re sharing some of our top tips for taking care of your teeth and the planet next time you travel. From sharing advice to spotlighting our sustainable travel size toothpaste and essentials bundle, we want to help you feel prepared for your next trip, in a way that sustains nature+you. 1: check in on your last check up First things first: when was the last time you went to the dentist? Before you travel, it’s always a good idea to check in with your dentist to make sure you don’t have any serious issues lurking in the background. The last thing you need to worry about as you leave home (aka, the place where your regular dentist exists!) is emergency dental treatment. Once you get a clean bill of health from your dentist, you can travel with peace of mind knowing your pearly whites are in the clear. 2: grab your Davids travel essentials Now that you’ve checked in with your dentist and begun packing for your trip, one of the best things you can do to sustain nature+you is to stock up on our travel size toothpaste. For our friends with sensitive teeth, we recommend our travel size nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste. Why is this one of the best ways to care for your teeth + the planet as you travel? it remineralizes your teeth: with every brushing, our hydroxyapatite toothpaste delivers a nourishing dose of n-Ha particles, which penetrate your enamel to fortify it from the inside out. These nanoparticles plug tiny holes and imperfections in your enamel to protect your tooth’s center nerve from outside attacks (cold food/drinks, bacteria, and more). it prevents dry mouth: let’s face it, for many reasons, it can be way harder to avoid dehydration and dry mouth when you’re traveling. When your mouth is dry, it gives bacteria the upper hand, allowing them to do more damage. To combat this, our travel size toothpaste is formulated with intentional ingredients like xylitol, premium peppermint oils, and vegetable glycerin to stimulate saliva production and moisten your mouth. it’s a zero waste toothpaste: unlike most (if not all) conventional travel size toothpaste out there, our toothpaste comes in a recyclable toothpaste tube. That’s right! Instead of plastic, we package our paste in aluminum, an infinitely recyclable material. Trust us, you won’t find many other travel size self-care products that also work to minimize plastic waste! 3: keep everything clean In addition to our travel size toothpaste, the Davids Essentials Bundle can add even more benefits to your travel routine. Along with our hydroxyapatite toothpaste, the bundle includes our tongue scraper and bamboo toothbrush. When traveling, it can be hard to keep your oral care products on you while also keeping them clean. Keeping these products clean is crucial since you don’t want to introduce new sources of bacteria to your mouth while you travel! You can start by disinfecting the toiletry bag that will be holding the products and washing your tongue scraper with soap after every use. But when it comes to keeping your toothbrush clean as you travel, things can get a little tricky. We recommend keeping it in a clean reusable bag or opting for a brand new bamboo toothbrush. While it’s not ideal to think of a bamboo toothbrush as a “single-use” item, you can find peace knowing it’s biodegradable and compostable. Unlike its plastic counterparts, a bamboo toothbrush can decompose in an industrial compost bin in a matter of weeks. 4: stay hydrated To circle back to the topic of dry mouth, staying hydrated is key when it comes to caring for your teeth while traveling. It’s one of the best ways to ensure your mouth has what it needs to produce an adequate supply of saliva while flushing out lingering debris, bacteria, and residue. To make sure you’re sustaining nature+you, we recommend bringing along a reusable water bottle to refill at rest stops and airports along the way. This way, you can keep up with your water intake without contributing to the billions of plastic water bottles used across the globe each year. 5: bring your own satiating snacks Believe it or not, your snacking habits can play a massive role in your oral health (and your volume of waste) while you travel. Carb-heavy snacks, ranging from potato chips to sugary candy, are the main foods that feed bacteria. When these bacteria feed off sugar deposits, they generate acids that can cause bad breath, sensitivity, gum disease, tooth decay, and beyond. Not to mention, it’s estimated that large airports can generate up to 32,000 tons of waste per year. The snacks and drinks that come in single-use plastic packaging contribute heavily to this number, which is another reason we recommend bringing your own mouth-healthy, sustainable, and satiating snacks along with you the next time you travel. Some of our favorite mouth-healthy snacks include vitamin-D-rich products such as cheese, fibrous fruits and vegetables, healthy nuts and seeds, and lean proteins such as seafood, tofu, and beans. You might be surprised to find that most airports allow you to bring prepped food through security, so be sure to check your local airport’s rules before you head out. travel with care With summer in full swing, we hope you have some fun, relaxing adventures planned! To prepare for your travel days, be sure to check out all of our travel size toothpaste flavors. With our charcoal, peppermint, and hydroxyapatite toothpastes as travel options, stock up to ensure your next travel day sustains nature+you. buy now.
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