Brushing our teeth is not something we think to do. We do it the first thing in the morning and before going to bed. But have you thought about switching to a more natural way of cleaning your teeth? One way is by using bamboo toothbrushes, which are becoming increasingly popular. But the question is why? and are they any good? We will talk about bamboo toothbrushes in this blog post, and when you finish reading, you can make up your mind. So let us dive right in. 

What are bamboo toothbrushes?

Bamboo toothbrushes come from a plant known as bamboo, which originates from China, Asia, and South America. Although there is a growing trend of bamboo toothbrushes now, they are one of the oldest forms of toothbrushes. China first made this tool, using bamboo for the handles and boar hairs for the bristles. Now, people use bamboo for many things, including fuel, building materials, kitchen utensils, and writing. Bamboo plants grow naturally and are safe for use. People in Asia and Africa even eat bamboo shoots and use them in their cuisines. Bamboo toothbrushes look very similar to plastic toothbrushes. The difference is that the handles come from bamboo, and the bristles are nylon. 

Different types

Different types of bamboo toothbrushes are available in the market. They all have a modern and contemporary look that lets them easily blend in with any bathroom’s decor. The colors of the bristles vary, including black, white, and rainbow colors. Bamboo toothbrushes are available for children as well as adults. The bristles are soft and even suitable for people wearing braces or other orthodontic appliances. Travel-size bamboo toothbrushes are also available if you want to go on a holiday. It has a detachable head to save space in your luggage. It is also convenient because you can replace the head with a new one once it wears out. Bristles infused with activated charcoal are also available. Activated charcoal naturally removes stains off the tooth surface and whitens it. 

Effective

Bamboo toothbrushes are just as effective at cleaning your teeth as plastic ones. It removes food particles and debris from the teeth and keeps your breath smelling fresh. When selecting your toothbrush, consider the size of the head and shape of the bristles. To maintain good oral hygiene, replace the bamboo toothbrush every 3 to 4 months or when the bristles have worn away. The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth twice a day for 2 minutes. 

Eco-friendly

Every year, we use and throw away billions of plastic toothbrushes worldwide. It ends up in our landfill, where it takes 500 to 1000 years to decompose. If the plastic toothbrushes end up in the ocean, it harms and kills marine animals. As opposed to plastic toothbrushes, bamboo toothbrushes are beneficial for the environment. They are 100% biodegradable. You may be wondering what this exactly means. So, when you want to dispose of your toothbrush, you can throw it in some compost or your garden, and it will naturally break down within six months. You can also take it to your local commercial composter for disposal. So, if you buy bamboo toothbrushes for you and your family, you will be helping in saving our environment.

Recyclable and re-usable

Another great feature about bamboo toothbrushes is that you can re-use them in many ways. Don’t forget to disinfect it first. Boil it in hot water for a few minutes and let it air-dry. Use it to clean electric appliances, such as keyboards, vacuum cleaners, and hairdryers. You can also use it to clean kitchen utensils, including graters and garlic crushers. It can help remove stubborn stains from your clothes. Add a cleaning agent to the bristles and gently scrub the stain away. You can even use it to brush your pet. 

Bristles can be removed with pliers and used for other things. Get creative and use it for arts and crafts for your kids. You can make photo frames, collages, and so much more. Dispose of it in your fireplace and use it for fuel. Without the bristles, your toothbrush can be handy in your garden. For example, use it to hold a plant up so it can grow vertically. 

Parts of the bamboo toothbrush are recyclable. Remove the bristles from the brush and recycle them. If you can, dispose of it in a bio-waste bin. 

Sustainable

Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants in the world. So it is highly sustainable. It can grow one meter per day. It can be harvested over and over without harming the environment. After harvesting, it naturally grows a new shoot from its existing shoot. 

BPA-free and safe

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a harmful agent used to make plastic. Exposure to BPA can lead to many serious health problems, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. It can cause damage to the brain and prostate gland. 

Many plastics toothbrushes contain BPA. The good news is that bamboo toothbrushes do not have this toxic chemical. 

Bamboo plants do not need fertilizers or pesticides to grow. So, bamboo toothbrushes do not contain any other toxic chemicals either.

Antimicrobial

Bamboo plants have natural antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. So, harmful bacteria cannot grow and spread on the handle of your bamboo toothbrush. It makes bamboo toothbrushes more safe and hygienic to use. 

Do bamboo toothbrushes require special care?

When you switch from using a plastic toothbrush to a bamboo toothbrush, it is only natural to wonder if it requires extra care compared to a plastic one. The good thing about a bamboo toothbrush is that you don’t need to make too much effort to take care of it. After brushing your teeth, rinse the brush with water to remove any toothpaste and debris. Then, all you need to do is wipe it with a towel and leave it to air dry. It will keep your toothbrush clean, fresh, and ready to use again. That’s all it takes to look after your bamboo toothbrush!

So, as you can see, bamboo toothbrushes are great for your teeth, health, and the environment. It’s no wonder that more and more people are ditching their plastic toothbrushes to buy bamboo ones. Maybe it’s time for you to do the same. You decide.