Why You Should Turn Off the Water While Brushing Your Teeth

How many of us spent our childhood years brushing our teeth while the water was still running? Kids don't necessarily leave the water on intentionally. It just never occurs to them to shut it off. But as adults, we should do things differently. Turning the water off while brushing just makes sense. We think it is an important part of zero-waste oral care.

The zero-waste philosophy is exactly what its name implies: a strategy of living life while minimizing waste as much as possible. Leaving the water running while brushing your teeth wastes clean, fresh water. It is going down the drain while your teeth are getting a much-needed scrubbing.

8 Gallons per Day

If turning the water off has never occurred to you, you're not alone. Do not take this post as a personal attack. Rather, we seek to educate you and the rest of our readers about leaving the water running and its relationship to zero-waste oral care.

Based on average flow rate and time spent brushing, New York City's Environmental Protection Department estimates that 4 gallons of water will go down the drain during the average tooth brushing session. So if you brush your teeth twice a day, that is 8 gallons of water.

That seems high, but we will go with the numbers because they come from a trusted source. Brushing your teeth twice per day, everyday means letting 2,920 gallons annually go to waste. Now, it is true that the water goes to the treatment center where it is cleaned and returned to your municipal water supply. But preventing that waste means requiring less work from the treatment center.

Save as Much as 13%

If the zero-waste philosophy is not enough to convince you to turn off the water while brushing, think of the financial savings. Another estimate we found suggests you could save as much as 13% annually by brushing with the water off.

Let's say your monthly water bill is $100. Saving 13% over the course of a year would translate to $156 back in your pocket. It is like getting a month-and-a-half of water for free. Who would turn down the opportunity to skip paying a regular bill for more than a month?

Toothpaste Tablets Make It Easier

Here's hoping we have convinced you of the importance of turning off the water while you brush. We can make it easier with our toothpaste tablets. How so?

Toothpaste tablets differ totally from traditional toothpaste. Sold in tablet form, you just pop one or two in your mouth and chew to create a paste. Then wet your toothbrush and brush away. Spit out, rinse, and you are done. It is similar to using toothpaste, except that toothpaste tablets do not come in a plastic tube.

As for how it can make a difference with the water, your introduction to toothpaste tablets will challenge you to do things differently. Toothpaste tablets take a little getting used to. They represent an entirely different experience. The experience is so different that it will force you to stop and think about what you're doing. So with that first toothpaste tablet, make a commitment to not let the water run. Make keeping the water off a core part of your new toothpaste tablet oral care routine.

Save the Clean Water

Zero-waste oral care is our top priority here at EcoFam. We urge all our customers (and our readers, too) to turn off the water while brushing. Save the clean water for when you need it to drink or cook. It is the best way.