Want a clean, bright, eco-friendly smile? The first step to going green while you are taking care of your teeth is to turn off the water while brushing. You can save 1,200 gallons of water each year with this one simple step. Here are more ways to go green while taking care of your pearly whites.

Toothpaste. Most toothpaste contains chemicals like parabens, sodium laurel sulfate, titanium dioxide for whitening, and high levels of fluoride.

For an effective, all-natural tooth cleaner, try using baking soda. Or if you prefer something with a bit more flavor, try the toothpastes from Jason Natural (www.jason-natural.com), Burt's Bees (www.burtsbees.com), or Tom's of Maine (www.tomsofmaine.com).

Toothbrushes. Most dentists recommend that you change your tooth-brush at least four times per year. That adds up to 50 million pounds of used toothbrushes that end up in landfills each year in the United States alone. Unfortunately, there are not many reusable options when it comes to brushing your teeth. To minimize your impact, try the Preserve tooth-brush from Recycline (www.recycline.com). They are made from recycled plastic and come with a postage-paid envelope so that they can be returned to Recycline and recycled to create new toothbrushes.

Mouthwash. If you enjoy the fresh, clean feeling you get from mouthwash but don't want to pour a cocktail of chemicals in your mouth to get it, try making your own mouthwash with a mixture of lemon juice and water. Another good option is Tea Tree Oil Mouth Wash from Desert Essence (www.desertessence.com).

Floss. Most tooth floss is made with petroleum-based waxes. Eco-Dent Gentle Floss (www.eco-dent.com) is a vegan, waxed floss made with a blend of natural essential oils and enzymes to reduce plaque and help you maintain healthy teeth and gums.