.png)
Are Bamboo Toothbrushes Better than Plastic? Get 5 Reliable Ways!
- Written By: Saman Shoaib
- Last Updated: July 11, 2023
Every day you need to brush your teeth to prevent cavities and oral health problems. But have you ever used bamboo toothbrushes? No need to wonder; just think about how they work, as same as plastic toothbrushes. And the most crucial point to ponder is that: are bamboo toothbrushes better than plastic.
As there is no doubt if you compare plastic vs. bamboo, which one will be an environment-safe choice to opt for? Definitely, bamboo is the better one. But when you use your casual plastic toothbrush, it causes a serious threat to our planet. As once you discard your brush, it does neither recycle nor biodegradable. So, if you replace your old polysynthetic toothbrush with a bamboo toothbrush, it will save your gum and environment altogether.
You may have some concerns related to the use of wooden toothbrushes. So, this guide will clear out all of them. Because here you can easily identify which oral hygiene will be ideal for you as well as your ecosystem. Don’t wait, scroll down, and continue to read to know are bamboo toothbrushes better than plastic ones!
Get to Know About Bamboo Toothbrushes!
Just like plastic toothbrushes, bamboo toothbrushes are also designed to clean your oral cavity. These are considered as the world’s first plant-based toothbrushes. They also work to remove the debris from our mouth, especially premolars and molar teeth.
The overall structure is also the same as other plastic toothbrushes. But the extended handle is exclusively made up of bamboo. Moreover, the bristles are mostly made up of nylon. The variation in composition places these wooden brushes in another domain which is highly sustainable and eco-friendly.
Are Plastic Toothbrushes Safe?
If you want to know are bamboo toothbrushes better than plastic, it’s essential to know why this question needs to be raised.
Frankly speaking, plastic toothbrushes work as the same as bamboo toothbrushes. Both have mostly soft nylon bristles that work efficiently to remove all the food particles from teeth. Moreover, both can be used within the same lifespan, about 3 to 4 months.
But, there are some major concerns with plastic toothbrushes that let you think about their usage. Such as;
☹️ They are not biodegradable.
☹️ They can not be recycled.
☹️ They create huge waste while the manufacturing process.
☹️ They create harmful impacts on the environment.
☹️ Mostly, plastic is used in their packaging.
Apart from these, you will be shocked to know that about 4.7 million plastic toothbrushes end up in the ocean annually. If you consider the use of plastic toothbrushes from the 1930s, then every single brush is still present anywhere in the world. That’s more than astonishing.
Additionally, a staggering fact is that by 2050, there will be more plastic than fish in the oceans. How the alarming situation is for marine life as well? So, there is an immense need to preserve nature to live longer. And think about it, how you can play a role in this regard.
After figuring out these horrible stats, you must think about are bamboo toothbrushes better than plastic.
Are Bamboo Toothbrushes Better than Plastic? Let’s Solve this Mystery
As you are used to traditional plastic toothbrushes, it may sound strange to use a bamboo toothbrush. But there are some points to consider that will let you know surely bamboo toothbrushes are better than plastic ones. Get the effective chunks in this regard and be amazed.
Plant-based Composition
Basically, bamboo is a natural, strong, and durable plant. It grows about 1m per day and can be harvested within 3 years. So, there’s no bother of its shortage of supply. Interestingly, this plant is actually a resource of 100% biodegradable, renewable, and sustainable products.
The composition merely consists of a long handle which is purely bamboo and grants easy grip. Whereas the bristles are made up of nylon, nylon 4, or nylon 6. Some companies use castor bean oil for making their bristles, which is USDA-Certified 100% biobased, which means zero fossil fuels.
Remove Plaque
If you can’t understand are bamboo toothbrushes are better or not. So determine the plaque removing quality. By the way, these wooden toothbrushes’ bristles are exclusively made from BPA-free materials. Thus, they reach the narrow places of teeth which are generally hard to clean. This way, they remove plaque from teeth and let them clean and free from any particles and debris.
Whitening & Hygienic Teeth
Some famous brands make bristles of bamboo toothbrushes with activated charcoal. And that’s an amazing material for whitening the teeth by removing surface stains. Moreover, it detoxifies the oral cavity as it’s comprised of anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial agents. So, it prevents microbial growth on teeth. Thus, you can get complete oral hygiene by organic means.
Recyclable Packaging
Another interesting factor is packaging, which is completely recyclable. Most of the manufacturing companies prefer cardboard to pack these bamboo toothbrushes. As the cardboard comes from paper, which is 100% recyclable as well as biodegradable. Moreover, there is no any glue or tape used for the outer box. Such practice contributes to our ecosystem manifolds.
High Sustainability & Eco-Friendly
As mentioned above, bamboo is a wild and organic resource and is one of the fast-growing plants. There are various naturally occurring antimicrobial agents in it. So, no need to use pesticides, fertilizers, or any other artificial means to grow bamboo. Once you take off its stalk, then it is replaced with a fully grown stalk within 2 years.
In addition, bamboo is completely biodegradable, which means it is easy to compost. So, its toothbrushes cause no harm to the environment. However, the bristles can be recycled and come into use again after applying 3 R’s strategy (reduce, reuse, recycle). Thus, the mystery is solved – are bamboo toothbrushes better or not.
The Verdict
If you are confused as to whether are bamboo toothbrushes better than plastic, then the straightforward answer is YES. Among several reasons, eco-friendly and sustainability are the primary reasons behind it. Bamboo toothbrushes are 100% natural and organic, and completely biodegradable. In addition, they ensure complete oral health care by whitening teeth and zero microbial growth.
Although plastic toothbrushes are also good for the oral cavity, but they are indestructible and a major source of land pollution for the mother planet. Even today, dentists also recommend living organic means by choosing wooden toothbrushes. So, it’s up to you what you decide.
FAQs:
Is a bamboo toothbrush good for my oral health?
Yes! A bamboo toothbrush is good for your oral cavity and its hygiene. As its bristles are made up of BPA-free material that assists in removing plaque. Whereas bristles with activated charcoal ensure clean & white teeth by removing surface stains from tooth enamel.
Do bamboo toothbrushes work as well as plastic?
Of course! The bamboo toothbrushes work as effectively as the plastic ones. However, some recommendations are common for any kind of toothbrush. Such as the head size must tuck into your oral cavity, the handle must give you an easy grip, and the bristles must be soft yet remove all the debris from narrow places as well.
Are bamboo toothbrushes better than plastic?
Definitely Yes! As bamboo is a 100% natural and organic material which is environment-friendly and biodegradable. In contrast, plastic is indestructible and remains on the earth for longer. So, that’s the basic difference to distinguish both forms of toothbrushes.
How long bamboo toothbrushes can be used?
Like other toothbrushes, they can also be used within 3 to 4 months. However, according to dentists’ suggestions, every toothbrush must be changed after 2 to 3 months. Moreover, it also depends on personal care and mode of use. If you take care of these ecological toothbrushes, they may work longer than the estimated duration.
What measures need to be taken for proper care of a bamboo toothbrush?
If you follow some of the given measures, this wooden toothbrush will go longer, i.e.;
- Avoid over toothbrushing
- Wash thoroughly as after use
- Let it dry completely
- Keep it in a holder
Do dentists approve bamboo toothbrushes?
Yes! Dentists approve bamboo toothbrushes over plastic ones due to their bamboo viscose, nylon, charcoal, or castor bean oil bristles. They have more efficacy than plastic toothbrush bristles, particularly for whitening teeth, removing plaque, and no bacterial growth in the oral cavity.