The Benefits of Using a Bamboo Toothbrush for Your Teeth

Gandhi once said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” This may sound like a profound and impossible directive, but doing what is best for yourself and the environment can be as easy as taking a first small step.

Today’s degradation in our environment has made us more aware of our impact upon the Earth. Many of the everyday objects that we use, and have devised for our convenience, have harmed the oceans and overtaxed our landfills.

Plastic is the number one culprit when it comes to environmental pollution. Plastic was once seen as a time-saving, economical tool for making everyday items affordable and easy to use. What had once been an advantage is now recognized for its hazard.

Toxic chemicals leach out of plastic, and these chemicals can be found in the blood and tissue of nearly all of us on Earth. Recognizing this hazard, we need to limit our contact with, and use of, plastic items as much as we possibly can. 

Plastic items need about 1000 years to degrade, and in the meantime, plastic continues to pollute our planet.

All of this sounds dire and overwhelming, but the problem started small, and so too, small changes can make a big difference. One of the easiest and best places to start making a change is in your own home with the items you use on a daily basis.

A perfect item to start your small change is with your toothbrush. Your toothbrush is an item that you are putting in your mouth twice a day; and an item that is critical for good dental health. 

A toothbrush made out of bamboo that is a solution to eliminating some plastic from your life. An eco-friendly bamboo toothbrush is good for both you and the environment.

What Is a Bamboo Toothbrush?

A bamboo toothbrush looks much like the one you currently use. It’s made of a handle and bristles so you can clean your teeth properly. But, unlike the conventional ones, the handles of the bamboo toothbrushes are made of bamboo instead of plastic.

Because bamboo toothbrushes are made from natural materials, they are eco-friendly. That’s why making this small change has a significant impact on the world, especially the environment. 

Here are the benefits of using a bamboo toothbrush for your teeth.

Bamboo Toothbrushes Are Eco-friendly

The main difference between conventional plastic toothbrushes and bamboo toothbrushes is the material used to make them. As mentioned above, the handle of traditional toothbrushes is made from plastic, with the primary material being petroleum. This material uses a lot of energy during the manufacturing process, and it needs a millennium to decompose.

On the other hand, bamboo toothbrushes are made of a natural material, bamboo, which makes them biodegradable. In that way, they protect the environment. Plus, you can recycle the bristles, and then you can throw the handle away knowing that it will degrade in a few months. And, you don’t have to worry that it will harm any animal or the environment because it will naturally decompose.

Bamboo Is Organically Grown

Unlike plastic which can leach toxins, bamboo is a safe alternative. Bamboo is very strong and is naturally antimicrobial. When being grown, bamboo doesn’t need any pesticides, herbicides, or any other harmful chemicals to be able to produce a healthy crop. A bamboo toothbrush is made from organically-grown bamboo, making it a healthy choice since the toothbrush will contact your mouth twice a day.

Bamboo Is Sustainable

Bamboo grows fast and is native to tropical, subtropical, and temperate climates. It is found most commonly in Asia and South America but is also grown in Australia, Africa, and the southern United States. Bamboo can grow over two feet in a day, so it is wonderful as a sustainable resource.

Bamboo is a grass that helps hold the soil together and thus prevents erosion. Being strong and flexible, bamboo is also an environmentally friendly building material that is fire resistant.

As dentists recommend that you replace your toothbrush every three months, this frequent replacement can be done with a product that is sustainable and can break down in the environment in a matter of months, not 1000 years, like plastic.

Bamboo Toothbrushes Promote Your Oral Hygiene

What makes bamboo toothbrushes a fantastic choice is that bamboo is naturally antimicrobial. That means it prevents or, at least, significantly limits bacteria’s growth. This is one of the reasons why cutting boards and other kitchen utensils are made from bamboo.

So, when you brush your teeth with a bamboo toothbrush, it not only cleans your teeth but also fights the bacteria found there.

Bamboo Toothbrushes Are Unique and Stylish

Bamboo toothbrushes are unique due to their simplicity. They are similar in design to what you would find in toothbrushes made from plastic. Bamboo toothbrushes are also one of the oldest types ever made. Invented in China about 1498, the bamboo toothbrush has been a favorite for centuries.

Reasons To Switch To A Bamboo Toothbrush

Besides being environmentally friendly, there are other reasons that switching to a bamboo toothbrush is a good idea:

• Bamboo is antimicrobial, so bacteria will not grow on the toothbrush’s handle.
• When you need to replace your bamboo toothbrush, it can be tossed onto a compost pile.
• Bamboo toothbrushes are as effective at cleaning your teeth as conventional toothbrushes.
• Bamboo toothbrushes do not need special cleaning; just use as you would a regular toothbrush.
• If a bamboo toothbrush ends up in the ocean, it will not pollute the waters but will degrade naturally.

Final Thoughts

It can be an overwhelming prospect to attempt to make a positive change in our environment. You can start on that journey by making a simple change with the type of toothbrush that you use. Plastic toothbrushes are sourced from non-renewable fossil fuels. To put it in perspective, the toothbrush you used as a kid is still around somewhere in the environment and will be for generations to come. This is significant because about 23 billion plastic toothbrushes get thrown away every year. By replacing your plastic toothbrush with a bamboo one, you will be making a positive change to protect the environment.