This is a guest post by Richard Keane
Richard Keane is a freelance writer who contributes to a range of blogs, spreading the word of green dentistry, good oral hygiene and how a beautiful smile can make a world of difference. He has a firm belief in the saying, ‘Smile and the world smiles with you’, but he is well aware that everybody has their off-days.
Being eco friendly has become more and more important over recent years. People are increasingly aware of the damage they are doing to the environment, and so are looking to switch to other alternatives. Originally eco friendly referred to the use of unnecessary chemicals on farms or in the house; it has now developed into an industry covering all sorts of things from biodegradable bags to wind farms.
Another area which is beginning to take off is personal care with a whole new set of products being created from soaps to toothpaste. An offshoot of the latter is eco dentistry.
A greener approach
Basically, eco dentistry also called green dentistry is a more environmentally friendly approach to dental practice. This can range from suggesting simple ways for patients to clean their teeth to using machines that don’t waste scarce resources. Seemingly, recent research has found dentists waste huge amounts of water and electricity. Switching to alternative technologies can reduce this wastage; not to mention saving money.
Conserving energy for instance can be easily achieved if dentists switch off lights and machines when not in use, or insert energy saving bulbs. They can also save a good deal of energy by using the latest advances in dental technology. Similarly, saving water can be achieved by turning off taps when not in use while cleaning patient’s teeth.
Recycling at the dentist
The waiting and reception areas can also contribute to the green effort by recycling anything that can be recycled – plastic cups, magazines, waste paper and so on. Other related ideas include making more use of computer technology for such things as appointments, keeping records, digital accounting and online payment systems. In short, the less paper that’s used, the less need there is to chop down and replant trees.
Advanced dental technology
While newer technologies are often quite expensive initially, over time as more and more people use them, they become more financially accessible. New dental techniques are no different. One such technology is digital X-rays rather than the conventional X-ray machines. Not only are digital X-ray devices more eco friendly they also reduce the amount of dangerous radiation dispersed by up to 90%.
Further, digital X-rays give a sharper and more accurate image of the patient’s mouth as well as getting rid of paper print outs. Research has also found that by using this new dental technique, the average dental surgery will stop the disposal of large amounts of toxic material including dental X-ray fixer and lead foils.
Other examples of new technology include a growing number of dental products available to consumers. One such item is a new type of toothbrush that doesn’t need water as it uses the individual’s own saliva; it’s also believed to clean teeth better than traditional toothpaste.
Use of mercury in dentistry
As intimated above, toxic chemicals in consumer products are one of the major causes of environmental problems. Dentistry is no longer immune to this. For example, using mercury amalgam for fillings is not only environmentally damaging it is now known to be dangerous to patients.
Unfortunately, many general and cosmetic dentists are still using mercury as the alternatives are just too expensive. Consequently, until dentists switch to less harmful fillers, the only other solution to cutting down on mercury waste is to invest in a mercury separating machine. Doing so however can stop 3.7 tons of mercury waste going down the drain – literally.
Finally, dentists can help their patients by offering better advice. This will not only improve their dental health, but will get them to think more about environmental issues.
