Have you heard of or used a bamboo toothbrush before? This post will take you through the benefits of this ecological alternative.
Introduction
Toothbrushes made from bamboo are like any other toothbrush that you can find in the supermarket. They have handles and bristles to remove food debris and plaque from teeth like other toothbrushes. The difference between bamboo and other plastic toothbrushes is the material used to make the handle.
Bamboo toothbrushes are among the oldest toothbrushes. The first of this type of toothbrushes were invented in China in the 15th century with boar bristles and bamboo handles.
These toothbrushes may contain bristles made of nylon, boar hair, or activated charcoal. These bristles help to whiten teeth.
Why you should buy a Bamboo toothbrush
When choosing your toothbrush material, keep in mind the difference between bamboo and other materials. There are many reasons to change from a plastic or wood toothbrush to a toothbrush made from bamboo. Almost all refer to more sustainable consumption of products within homes. Here are some of the advantages that could make you decide to buy a bamboo toothbrush:
It is biodegradable!
Toothbrushes with bamboo handles have a lower ecological footprint than plastic. This is because bamboo is biodegradable. Most times, bamboo brushes contain biodegradable materials. These include charcoal bristles instead of plastic or nylon. If you want it 100% eco, you will have to check that your bamboo brush does not have nylon bristles. This is the main reason to change from plastic brushes. Unlike a bamboo toothbrush, a plastic toothbrush can take up to 400 years to disappear. Toothbrush made from bamboo takes only six months to decompose in the ground.
If you want a total biodegradable toothbrush, go for one with a bamboo handle and boar’s hair bristles.
It allows for the “de-plasticization” of the house.
De-plasticization is a growing environmental awareness. This drives many people to want to make more rational decisions about the use of plastic. Switching to a bamboo toothbrush is a way to reduce the use of plastic in the home. Plastic toothbrushes are not recyclable. They contain various compounds of petroleum-based nylon. Another thing is that you can’t separate plastic materials from current recycling technology.
The figures for the use of plastics are still very alarming. Not only because of the environmental footprint of their products but also because of the difficulty to be recycled. Thus, changing our everyday objects for more sustainable alternatives is a step forward in caring for our planet.
By removing the nylon bristles, you can recycle the toothbrush handles for composting. You can also find creative ideas to reuse toothbrush handles.
Bamboo has antibacterial activity.
Dental toothbrushes harbor many particles and bacteria from our bathroom and oral cavity. You can not incorporate antibacterial substances into plastic toothbrushes. Bamboo itself contains substances with antimicrobial activity. This makes it a more hygienic and safer option for our teeth.
It fulfills the same function as a plastic brush
You do not have to compromise on the quality of cleaning. Bamboo toothbrushes offer the same quality of cleaning as plastic toothbrushes.
It doesn’t make a significant price difference. Plastic toothbrushes generate a high environmental cost in their manufacture. Also, you need a high price for their transport and disposal. This is because they come from petroleum derivatives. Being made of different plastics and nylon, recycling these utensils is almost impossible.
Often we tend to associate an eco-friendly alternative with an increase in the product price. In the case of bamboo toothbrushes, the difference in cost is usually small.
One reason for this is that bamboo plants are readily available. Bamboo plants grow quickly and need little care. They proliferate without the need for fertilizers or pesticides. This reduces the cost of production and thus makes it relatively cheap.
It is readily available
At a time, a bamboo toothbrush was an “exotic” item and usually only available in special stores. The increase in demand for sustainable products has facilitated access to them. Nowadays, it is very common to find them in different supermarkets.
Bamboo is a plant that grows quite quickly and does not need special care. This makes its cultivation, production, and harvesting very simple. Being a plant matter, its recycling is much more efficient and affordable by nature.
How do I use and care for a bamboo toothbrush?
When using a bamboo toothbrush, you need to take into account the same considerations as for a plastic one. These toothbrushes should be replaced as often as any other type of toothbrush.
You should change your toothbrush every three to four months. You also need to change whenever the bristles are frayed or visibly damaged. Swapping your old toothbrush for a new one helps keep your teeth white and free from germs.
To recycle this toothbrush, it is advisable to remove the bristles with tweezers. Depending on their material and composition, they will go to one container or another to dispose of them separately. Being made of a biodegradable material, the handle can even be buried in the garden to decompose.
You have to pay close attention to the size of the brush head, the shape of the handle, and the type of bristles. The ideal is to select a brush with soft bristles with a head adapted to the mouth’s dimensions. Also, the handle should be easy to hold.
When you buy bamboo toothbrushes, you want to make sure you get what you pay for. The benefits of bamboo brushes are only possible when you make sure you have a biodegradable brush head and packaging. Otherwise, you’re not helping the environment at all.
If you are still in doubt to buy a bamboo toothbrush, you can talk to your dentist. He will help you select the ideal toothbrush and give you other recommendations to maintain a healthy mouth while caring for the planet.
Conclusion
In conclusion, using a bamboo toothbrush seems like an insignificant gesture to change the world. You should not underestimate the importance of every little action in caring for the planet. If we all begin to use more sustainable alternatives little by little, plastic consumption will reduce. This is a very positive goal. You can start with something as simple as brushing your teeth more consciously and responsibly with the environment.
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