Mother Earth is the greatest gift to all mankind and keeping her clean is everyone’s responsibility. Unfortunately that process can be incredibly challenging as most individuals rely on modern conveniences such as air conditioning, automobiles and electricity to manage their lives and in doing so, unwittingly contribute to the pollution. That is why individuals must make the conscious decision to minimize their waste at every given step, including the ones for oral hygiene and dental care.

preventative dental care on a daily basis in the guise of eating nutritious foods, brushing and flossing. When it comes to those must-do behaviors, individuals are advised to make simple modifications in order to reduce waste, protect the ocean and the sanctity of life.

Turn Off Running Water

Brushing is one of the most effective tools for reducing levels of dental plaque and the dental problem of tooth decay and gum disease. Dentists and dental care professionals encourage brushing for a full two-minutes to get the most out of the oral hygiene and earth lovers suggest turning off the faucet during that stretch as a way to save water and preserve the natural resources of the big Blue Planet.

Wasauna Bath of Scottsdale, Arizona estimates that a standard bathroom faucet uses 2.5 gallons of water per minute. Individuals who conduct their due diligence and take toothbrush and toothpaste to teeth twice a day, for a full two minutes per session for 365 days a year waste 3,650 gallons of water annually. That is why turning off the water while brushing is a must.

Thanks to icebergs, glaciers, oceans, lakes, rivers, streams, snow, humidity, rain, hail and sleet, Mother Earth is always trying to balance the precipitation levels on the planet. The cycle is constant and since the beginning of time planetary water levels (regarding the compound as either a liquid, solid or gas) have remained the same. Since water is not man-made, individuals need to take responsibility for not wasting the precious resource as today’s running faucet can lead to tomorrow’s drought. Turning off the faucet while brushing is an easy way to be eco-friendly with dental care.

Eat More Beans and Less Meat

“Carbon footprint” is one of the most popular green catchphrases these days and the term represents the amount of greenhouse gases (primarily carbon dioxide) produced either directly or indirectly to support human activities. The term has become increasingly popular as those elements are charged with causing global warming. Human consciousness in thought, action and vegetarian dining are the only way to curb the damage being done and those who choose to eat lower on the food chain will make great contributions to reducing the omissions, save money and boost their dental health.

The Environmental Working Group’s 2011 Meat Eater’s Guide to Climate Change and Health analyzed the environment impact of 20 animal products and byproducts (such as dairy) in relation to food production, red meat, the carbon footprint and pollution at large. Popular foods including lamb, beef, cheese, pork and farmed salmon are fingered as being the worst for the planet as their production generates the most greenhouse gases and pollution as an unhealthy byproduct (http://breakingnews.ewg.org/meateatersguide/a-meat-eaters-guide-to-climate-change-health-what-you-eat-matters/).

Healthy plant based foods such as lentils, tofu, tomatoes, beans and broccoli and animal byproducts such as 2% milk and yogurt are considered the best choices for the planet and for general health. All these foods are part of the new government recommended Nutrition Plate food consumption guidelines. They are nutritionally dense and will provide individuals concerned about their dental health vitamins essential to bone health and general well being, for far less money than the expensive animal products destroying the planet.

Individuals who still want to eat beans but have their meat and cheese as well are encouraged to make better purchasing decisions regarding the type of food consumed. Salmon lovers longing for their Omega-3 fix should only eat wild caught fish gathered in American waters and fans of eating Old MacDonald’s Farm should opt to eat free-range eggs, cage free chickens, grass-fed cows and lambs, pasture-raised critters, certified organic and humane meats and foods that are antibiotic, hormone and nitrate-free. Choosing these types of food products will deliver healthier and cleaner foods to the consumers and less waste to the planet.

Do Not Flush Dental Floss

Daily flossing is a must for dental health as the act of maneuvering nylon thread through teeth will remove harmful dental plaque and ward off conditions such as dental abscesses, tooth loss and periodontal disease. Individuals are encouraged to use 122 yards of the stuff annually and while the floss takes up very little space, if flushed the non-biodegradable substance will end up traveling into the oceans, polluting the water and killing sea life either by strangulation or accidental ingestion. Individuals must make sure to either purchase an all natural, non-plastic dental floss or make sure to dispose of their dental floss properly in garbage pails.

Individuals looking for more tips on how to improve dental health while maintaining a level of environmental consciousness can seek the advice of their dentist.