The importance of good oral hygiene cannot be overemphasized, but don’t pollute the environment with plastic toothbrushes. A bamboo toothbrush is a sustainable option and 100% biodegradable.
Brushing your teeth regularly helps you keep it clean, strong, and healthy. Ignoring this recommendation may result in tooth decay, gum disease, and other forms of periodontal illness.
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Editor’s Choice: Best Bamboo Toothbrush on Amazon – Isshah Charcoal Bamboo Toothbrush
One important thing to pay attention to while trying to maintain good oral health is the type of toothbrush that you use to clean your teeth. Many of these toothbrushes (especially plastic ones) are not recyclable and eco-friendly.
Plastic toothbrushes are very common in our malls and supermarkets. However, they are a huge source of plastic pollution in the world. Plastic toothbrushes are made by melting tiny granules of plastic together. This form of plastic cannot be recycled and takes a lifetime to fully decompose. If you are not aware of the impact of plastics, watch this video on the Great Pacific Garbage; a huge collection of plastic waste that is the size of Belgium.
Bamboo toothbrushes, on the other hand, decompose faster and can easily be recycled thereby making them a great alternative to plastic toothbrushes. They are eco-friendly and highly biodegradable.
In this article, you are going to learn about some of the very best bamboo toothbrushes in the market today. Hopefully, this will help you when picking toothbrushes for your family.
But before we get into that,
What are Bamboo Toothbrushes?
Bamboo toothbrushes are made with the woody shell of the bamboo canes. These canes are processed into durable and ergonomic toothbrush handles.
Bamboos are one of the fastest growing perennial plants and they can survive in different climatic conditions. There are over 1,000 different species of bamboo all over the world and in different continents. More importantly, they are highly biodegradable and recyclable.
Bamboo toothbrushes have different bristles. Some of them are natural while others aren’t.
What are the Major Types of Bamboo Toothbrushes?
Bamboo toothbrushes come in three major types:
Natural-bristled toothbrushes: These types of bamboo toothbrushes are 100% biodegradable, their bristles are obtained from natural products like hair of animals like pigs, boars, and badgers.
Although these types of toothbrushes are 100% natural and are fully biodegradable, they are not suitable for everyone. Natural-bristled toothbrushes are abrasive and may not be suitable for vegans or people with sensitive gums.
Also, natural bristles retain moisture which may become a breathing ground for bacteria. They are the oldest type of bamboo toothbrushes, dating as far back as the 15th century.
Nylon-bristled toothbrushes: These types of toothbrushes have nylon-coated bristles with natural bamboo handles. Unlike natural-bristled bamboo toothbrushes, they are not 100% natural and therefore are not fully biodegradable.
However, they have softer bristles and are more suitable for children and people with delicate gums. Also, they do not retain moisture like their other counterpart.
Nylon-bristled toothbrushes are cheaper and are more common in the market.
Charcoal-infused bristled: This type of toothbrush has nylon bristles as well. However, the key difference is the bristles are infused with charcoal which serves as an absorbing agent. Charcoal binds bacteria together and makes it easy to wipe them off your teeth. Also, charcoal serves as a teeth whitening agent and can help you remove thick and stubborn stains on the teeth.
Charcoal-infused bristled toothbrushes are thicker compared to the ones with ordinary nylon coating.
Are Bamboo Toothbrushes Better than Plastic?
When it comes to comparing bamboo and plastic toothbrushes together, bamboo toothbrushes are a better alternative for many reasons. However, here are of the some reasons:
They are eco-friendly: Unlike plastic toothbrushes, toothbrushes made with natural byproducts like bamboo are of immense benefit to the ecosystem and the environment.
They are biodegradable and can be processed into a renewable source of energy. This is not so with plastic toothbrushes. Toothbrushes made with plastic are manufactured with polypropylene plastic, a non-renewable type of plastic. They cannot be recycled like bamboo toothbrushes.
Plastic toothbrushes also cause environmental pollution. An average person uses 3,000 toothbrushes in a lifetime and each of these toothbrushes will take 1,000 years to decompose. About 80% of toothbrushes end up in the sea thereby endangering the lives of many aquatic creatures.
Very safe to use: Another major reason why bamboo toothbrushes are better than plastic toothbrushes is that they are very safe to use.
Bamboo has natural anti-microbial features that help ward off bacteria infection on your toothbrushes. Not only that, some bamboo toothbrushes are also infused with charcoal which helps you sweep off bacteria from your teeth and make your teeth sparkling white.
Additionally, bamboo grows organically without pesticides and fertilizers. We don’t need to worry about going out of bamboo anytime soon.
Endorsed by experts: Bamboo toothbrushes are Certified Biobased Products. It is also approved and certified by the American Dental Association (ADA) and safe to use.
Aside from that, bamboo toothbrushes have been around as far back as the 15th century. They have been tested, and trusted by many in times past. They don’t trigger any side effects.
What are the Best Bamboo Toothbrushes to Buy in 2020?
There are tons of bamboo brushes in the market and the figures can be pretty scary. However, this section will feature the best bamboo toothbrushes that you should consider buying.
This section is carefully curated and only products from brands with proven track record are included.
Contents
Colgate Charcoal Bamboo Toothbrush
- Bamboo toothbrush handle made with 100% natural, sustainably grown bamboo
- Compostable toothbrush handle for easy, eco-friendly disposal
- Charcoal toothbrush with charcoal infused floss-tip soft bristles that clean hard to reach areas
- BPA free toothbrush
- Recyclable cardboard packaging
The Colgate Charcoal Bamboo Toothbrush is one of the best charcoal toothbrushes out there. It has smooth, well-designed, and 100% biodegradable bamboo handles. These handles are very durable and they do not splinter.
In addition, the toothbrush has soft and floss-tip bristles that are suitable for vegans and individuals with sensitive gums.
Also, the bristles are infused with charcoal thereby making the bristles more effective at absorbing bacteria in the teeth and stubborn coffee stain on the enamel.
The Colgate Charcoal Bamboo Toothbrush is free of BPA. BPA is an injurious chemical that can trigger major illnesses like cardiovascular disease, neurological problems, cancer, and impaired mental health in children.
It comes in a pack of 4 which can last for a year if you use one for 3 months.
Isshah Charcoal Bamboo Toothbrush
Next on the list is the Isshah Charcoal Bamboo Toothbrush. This toothbrush is very effective at removing plaque and thick stains on the enamel.
It has bristles that are soft yet strong enough to effectively wipe off any dirt or food remnants on the tooth. The bristles are infused with charcoal which serves as a great cleaning agent and cleans the teeth better more than the way a regular brush will.
Isshah Charcoal Toothbrush handle is 100% bamboo which is highly biodegradable and it is very friendly to the ecosystem. This makes it an amazing alternative for non-recyclable plastic toothbrushes. In addition, the handle is very sturdy, well-designed, and does not splinter. Also, it is water-resistant thus you do not need to worry about drying it after using.
Isshah Charcoal Bamboo Toothbrush comes in a pack of 4 and they can come in different sizes depending on your preference.
They have the family and adult pack. Also there is the kids pack which is very suitable for your children.
Lignito Charcoal Bamboo Toothbrush
Available in a pack of 6, is Lignito Charcoal Bamboo Toothbrush. It is a perfect and an affordable alternative to plastic toothbrushes. It has soft and sturdy charcoal-infused bristles that are effective at cleaning your tooth and wiping stubborn stains off it.
Not only that, it has a durable bamboo handle that’s not only eco-friendly but also water-resistant. The handle is very comfortable to hold when in use.
Each of the toothbrushes is individually labeled with a number, this will, in turn, allow you to tell each one apart even if you and your family members are all sharing a pack. The pack comes in a 100% recyclable paper package.
KoolerThings Charcoal Bamboo Toothbrush
This set of a toothbrush is an amazing alternative with the same quality of a plastic toothbrush. It is free of BPA and plastic packing. The set has charcoal infused bristles that feel good on the teeth.
Kooler Things Charcoal Bamboo Toothbrush has a sturdy, smooth, and 100% natural bamboo handle. The handle is highly biodegradable and very friendly to the ecosystem. It comes in the pack of 6.
How Do You Dispose of Non-Biodegradable Bristles?
Disposing charcoal-infused and nylon bristles bamboo toothbrushes needs to be done in a special way. Before you dispose, make sure you separate the bristles from its bamboo handles. After that, throw away the bristles into a normal bin. You can choose to dispose of the bamboo handle or make use of it in other different ways.
Conclusion
Using an environmentally friendly toothbrush is a great way to reduce plastic pollution and preserve the lives of aquatic creatures. Also, bamboo toothbrushes especially the charcoal infused ones will leave you with healthier, whiter and cleaner teeth.