We get a lot of great questions from customers who want to make the best use of EcoFam sustainable oral care products. A pretty common question goes something like this: "How often should I use EcoFam toothpaste tablets?"
We are neither dentists nor medical doctors. Therefore, we cannot give you a definitive answer. We can pass along what others say, including the American Dental Association (ADA). They recommend brushing twice per day, for two minutes per session. Brush once in the morning and then again in the evening.
This is obviously sound advice. We assume the ADA would offer the same recommendations to a person using toothpaste tablets. After all, toothpaste tablets are nothing more than toothpaste in tablet form.
The Logic Behind Twice Daily Brushing
The logic behind brushing twice per day is rooted in a number of factors. First and foremost is plaque. As you might already know, plaque is the enemy of healthy teeth. Preventing plaque buildup is one of the most important things a person can do to maintain good dental health.
Brushing, whether you use traditional toothpaste or EcoFam toothpaste tablets, helps remove plaque. Brushing twice per day ostensibly diminishes plaque buildup effectively enough to prevent plaque from hardening and forming into tartar.
Food particles trapped between the teeth are another concern. As they decay, they can lead to the formation of enamel-damaging bacteria. Brushing twice per day clears out that food to reduce the risk.
Lastly, experts believe that brushing twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste makes for healthier teeth by encouraging remineralization and stronger enamel. Unfortunately, we are seeing increased concern about fluoride and its long-term impacts on health. That's why we choose to use hydroxyapatite instead of fluoride.
Hydroxyapatite already exists in human bones and teeth. It does the same job as fluoride – maybe even better – with no known safety risks.
Toothpaste Tablets Work Equally Well
We did a bit of research in order to answer the question posed by this post. Interestingly, none of the recommendations we found mentioned anything about toothpaste tablets. They all recommended using a fluoride toothpaste. We have already discussed fluoride, so now let us talk about toothpaste and tablet form.
We produce toothpaste tablets by taking all the ingredients we would otherwise put into a traditional toothpaste and combining them in tablet form. Tablets contain less water, which we see as beneficial. But other than product form and water content, there really is little difference between traditional toothpaste and toothpaste tablets.
Toothpaste tablets work every bit as well to remove plaque, clean the mouth, and freshen the breath. When used as directed, you get the same level of oral protection you would get from toothpaste in a tube. So then what is the point of producing toothpaste in tablet form?
The Point Is Sustainable Oral Care
We have chosen tablet form because it supports our greater mission of providing sustainable oral care products. Producing tablets allows us to ship more toothpaste using a smaller volume of packaging. Less packaging means lower costs on our end. It also means more efficient shipping and significant fuel savings.
It all adds up to a product that is more sustainable in the long run. As an added bonus, our packaging is fully reusable and recyclable. Reuse an empty toothpaste tablet container or send it to be recycled with the rest of your paper, plastic, and glass.
Here's hoping you use toothpaste tablets instead of paste in a tube. Assuming you do, follow the ADA's recommendation of brushing twice per day for two minutes per session.
