FYI: I did obtain free products from Bite, but the following is an honest account of my experience using their toothpaste bits
If you keep up with the latest in sustainability products, you’ve probably heard about Bite Toothpaste Bits.
The oral care brand Bite creates some of the most innovative products on the market, including their signature toothpaste “bits” aka toothpaste in a tablet. They also sell mouthwash bits, plastic-free floss, plastic-free teeth whitening kits, and more.
While I’d been aware of Bite for a while now, I never gave them much thought until recently. With so many so-called “sustainable” products out there that are actually completely greenwashed, I didn’t bother to look too closely at the brand.
But while I was conducting research for an article about sustainable oral care, I started to learn more about Bite. And let me tell you, they are the Real Deal.
So, let’s waste no more time and get into it.
What’s So Special About Bite?
There are so many brands on the market that boast about being plastic-free while simultaneously engaging in a ton of other unsustainable practices. But not Bite. They’ve put thought and care into every step of the production process — not just the materials used.
With the exception of their toothbrushes, all of their products are made in the United States, cutting down significantly on fuel emissions from air transportation.
And while the toothbrushes are made in China — there are no bamboo manufacturers in the U.S. — all items are transported by sea to keep their carbon footprint as low as possible.
They’ve also carefully considered how they mail out orders. They only use pre-existing mail routes via USPS and refuse to offer express shipping, which would only add to carbon emissions.
And that’s not all. They’re also certified cruelty-free by Peta and palm oil-free by the Orangutan Alliance (read why that’s a big deal here). And yes, they’re also carbon neutral.
Perhaps the best part? Bite is 100% transparent. You can find all of this information on their website with ease. And that’s definitely not something I can say for other sustainable toothpaste brands I looked at.
How Do Bite Bits Work?
As I mentioned above, Bite toothpaste comes in “bits,” aka tablets, about the size of candy. Just like the name implies, all you have to do is bite down on the tablet, add a wet toothbrush, and start brushing.
One important thing to note is that the bits don’t contain fluoride, they contain nHap instead. I was rather hesitant when I first heard this but after a quick search on the internet and I found several studies that found that nHap is equally as effective as fluoride (some even claim it’s better than fluoride but that still remains to be seen).
First Impressions
I was a bit nervous to use Bite bits because I was worried the mint flavor would be too highly concentrated. I have a strong gag reflex and often find name-brand toothpaste to be too intense for me. But I was pleasantly surprised to find that wasn’t the case — just the opposite actually. Although the bits have a strong minty smell, they have a rather mild taste (which I greatly appreciated!).
My Experience Using the Toothpaste Bits
Using them took a bit of practice (no pun intended). I hadn’t read any reviews of Bite bits so I had no idea what I was in for. Admittedly, I was a bit surprised that they didn’t dissolve quite as quickly as expected. It was a little chunky at first and took a minute to fully dissolve into a frothy toothpaste.
Eventually, I figured out the trick: don’t just bite the bits, try to gently grind them down with your teeth into more of a fine powder before adding your wet toothbrush. It helps move things along a lot faster.
Even when fully dissolved, the toothpaste bits weren’t as frothy and thick as regular toothpaste. The whole experience definitely took some getting used to.
Are Bite Bits For You?
Bite toothpaste bits are probably not going to be for everyone. But if you’re looking to make the switch to a sustainable toothpaste, these are *definitely* the ones you’re going to want to pick.
While I can’t comment on any other sustainable toothpaste options, I can guarantee that at least a few out there are greenwashing. Bite is about as sustainable as a product can get. So unless you plan on making your own toothpaste, Bite is probably the most eco-friendly option out there.
Final Thoughts
If you’re considering making the switch to Bite toothpaste bits, do one thing first: Finish Your Current Toothpaste.
There is absolutely nothing sustainable about wasting perfectly good toothpaste in order to buy a new product. Use up your toothpaste to the very last drop (this toothpaste squeezer should help) and then make your purchase.
To learn more about Bite and its products, head to their website here.
