Our Surprising Crush on a Floss Pick: The Humble Co. Edition

There are crushes you expect — like the new candle that smells like vacation or the soft tee you wear three days in a row.
And then there are crushes you don’t see coming.

Like… a floss pick.

Stay with us.

Because The Humble Co. has somehow managed to make dental hygiene — that everyday, barely-think-about-it task — feel like a tiny act of good-for-you, good-for-the-planet self-care. And we didn’t realize how much we’d been missing that until we made the switch.

You know those small habits that add up quietly in the background? The ones you do on autopilot but never question? Brushing, flossing, tossing the pick, moving on. Turns out, those choices matter — especially when it comes to what’s actually in your oral care routine.
Here’s what we learned when we looked a little closer.

The Unpretty Side of Traditional Floss

Floss seems innocent enough, right? It’s string. You slide it between your teeth. The end.

Except — most conventional flosses and floss picks are made from nylon or Teflon, two forms of plastic that often contain PFAS, the so-called forever chemicals linked to hormone disruption and immune interference.

Wait — you’re telling me my floss could be exposing me to PFAS? Yep.

These are the same types of compounds that make raincoats water-resistant and nonstick pans so slippery — and yes, they can show up in your dental drawer. PFAS are often added to make floss “glide” more easily. That slick, almost waxy feel that slips effortlessly between tight teeth? It comes with a cost.

PFAS don’t break down, which means they can accumulate in our environment — and, according to growing research, in our bodies too. Not exactly the wellness ritual we’re aiming for.

And that’s before we even talk about the flavors (often synthetic and derived from petroleum-based ingredients) or fluoride additives (which can be helpful in toothpaste, but unnecessary in floss).

Then there’s the obvious: plastic.
Most floss picks are made from conventional plastic that won’t degrade for hundreds of years. Which means every single one you’ve ever used is still out there somewhere — likely sitting in a landfill.

Ugh.

The Humble Co. Difference

Enter: The Humble Co.

Founded by a Swedish dentist on a mission to make oral care better for people and the planet, The Humble Co. has become one of those rare brands that actually walks its talk. Their approach feels less “eco-preachy” and more quietly competent.

Their floss picks are made from plant-based, biodegradable materials (derived from cornstarch), and their packaging is fully recyclable. But what really sealed the deal for us? They’re genuinely enjoyable to use.

No squeaky resistance. No slimy texture. Just a smooth, glide-friendly clean that feels surprisingly luxe for something made of plants.

It’s the kind of small upgrade that makes you weirdly excited to floss. (Yes, that’s a sentence we never thought we’d type either.)

How to use: Floss gently between each tooth once daily. Toss the pick guilt-free into your green bin knowing it’ll actually break down over time — not live forever in a landfill.

You can buy directly from The Humble Co., or find their full lineup on Thrive Market — one of our go-to delivery spots for groceries and personal care swaps.

The Science of Swapping to Cleaner Oral Care

Here’s where things get fascinating.

Your mouth isn’t just where digestion begins — it’s home to a diverse ecosystem of bacteria, fungi, and enzymes known as the oral microbiome. When it’s balanced, this microbiome helps protect against cavities, inflammation, and even systemic issues like heart disease and gut imbalance.

But conventional oral care can sometimes throw that balance off. Many mainstream products contain ingredients like SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate), triclosan, artificial sweeteners, and strong antimicrobial agents that strip away not just harmful bacteria but the beneficial ones too. Over time, that can create what researchers call “oral dysbiosis” — basically, microbiome burnout.

The Humble Co. takes a gentler approach — their formulas rely on plant-based surfactants and mild natural cleansers instead of harsh detergents. They skip unnecessary additives, synthetic foaming agents, and the “chemical mint” aftertaste.

The result? A clean that actually supports your body’s own systems instead of working against them.

Think of it as brushing in harmony with your biology, not battling it.

This shift — from “kill everything” to “support balance” — is where the clean oral care movement is heading. And The Humble Co. sits right at that intersection of science and simplicity.

Beyond the Floss: A Full Routine, Rethought

Once we fell for the floss, we started exploring the rest of The Humble Co.’s lineup — and quickly realized that their entire range is designed with the same low-waste, high-function philosophy.

Their bamboo toothbrushes are perhaps the most recognizable — sleek, lightweight, and made with sustainably grown bamboo handles that feel solid in your hand. They replace the standard plastic toothbrush (the kind that never decomposes) with something that actually goes back to the earth. The bristles are BPA-free and soft enough for sensitive gums, but sturdy enough to hold up through the recommended three-month rotation.

Then there are the toothpaste tablets, which might be the most practical travel companion we didn’t know we needed. Instead of hauling around a half-squeezed tube, you just pop a tablet, chew lightly, and brush as usual. No mess, no waste, no hidden microplastics in the packaging.

While they’re not our everyday choice for toothpaste, we keep a small stash in a pill case in our purse or travel bag for quick freshen-ups — after lunch meetings, while camping, or on the go. They’re compact, eco-friendly, and genuinely useful.

The Humble Co. also makes mouthwash tablets, bamboo interdental sticks, and vegan cotton swabs — all part of a larger system designed to cut unnecessary waste while keeping your routine effortless.

Nothing about The Humble Co. feels like a sacrifice; if anything, their products make brushing and flossing feel like something you want to do, not just something you should do.

Why These Swaps Actually Matter

When you think about it, your bathroom is one of the most consistent sources of single-use plastic in your home. Toothbrushes, floss picks, toothpaste tubes, cotton swabs — the kind of items we use daily and replace frequently.

Making the switch to a brand like The Humble Co. doesn’t just shrink your waste; it shifts your relationship to the things you use every day. Suddenly, that tiny ritual — brush, floss, rinse — becomes an act of mindfulness.

It’s a reminder that sustainability doesn’t have to mean overhaul or inconvenience. Sometimes it just means reaching for the better version of what you were already doing.

And because The Humble Co. partners with The Humble Smile Foundation, every purchase helps fund oral health projects for children in underserved communities around the world. It’s one of those rare moments where your self-care literally doubles as community care.

The Humble Smile Foundation works alongside SmileOnU, a humanitarian organization that donates dental care globally, supported by volunteer dental providers. Their mission is simple but profound: improve oral health to enhance overall well-being, boost self-confidence, and increase quality of life. They educate people — both locally and in underdeveloped countries — on good oral hygiene and tooth-loss prevention, while also providing relief to those already in pain.

So, when you swap to a Humble toothbrush or stock up on floss picks, you’re not just brushing for yourself — you’re helping kids access care they might otherwise never get. That ripple effect is exactly the kind of thoughtful impact we love to see in the products we recommend.

What We’re Loving Right Now About The Humble Co.

• The packaging: Simple, recyclable, and plastic-free.

• The texture: Smooth and effective without the chemical slickness.

• The mission: Every purchase supports The Humble Smile Foundation, providing oral care to communities in need.

• The range: A full oral care lineup that makes sustainability simple, not performative.

• The price point: Accessible enough to make sustainable living feel doable, not aspirational.

It’s one of those swaps that feels small but hits on every level — clean, conscious, practical, and yes, kind of chic in its minimalism.

The Bigger Picture: Conscious Oral Care

We love when a brand gets the details right — not just in product design but in philosophy.
The Humble Co. keeps things refreshingly… humble. There’s no greenwashing, no lofty sustainability buzzwords — just smart, thoughtful products that make sense.

It’s the kind of company that reminds us that living sustainably doesn’t have to be dramatic. It can start with something as small as flossing — and ripple outward from there.

Other Sustainable Swaps We’re Loving

If you’re on a roll with small-but-mighty changes, you might also love:

• Mate the Label: for wardrobe staples that are as soft on your skin as they are on the planet.

• Public Goods: for refills that make your kitchen and bathroom shelfies look (and smell) cleaner.

• Branch Basics: for cleaning products that prove pure ingredients and smart packaging can still deliver serious results.

• Force of Nature Meats: for regenerative sourcing that goes beyond sustainability — helping rebuild soil health and sequester carbon with every purchase.

It all adds up — not in overwhelm, but in quiet impact.

You don’t have to overhaul everything at once. Just start somewhere. And maybe, surprisingly, that somewhere is your floss pick.

As always, What We’re Loving Right Now only recommends products we genuinely use, adore, and would gift to our own best friends. Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission — the kind that helps us keep sharing the things we truly love (and never the ones we don’t).