For people who are looking to create a more eco-friendly bathroom that reduces plastic waste, then a bamboo toothbrush is a good place to start. But there has always been a debate as to whether bamboo toothbrushes are as good as or better than plastic toothbrushes when it comes to dental care.
That is when we turn to the experts: dentists and hygienists.
Are bamboo toothbrushes good for dental care?
The difference between bamboo toothbrushes and plastic toothbrushes when it comes to dental care is not the material it is made from. It all comes down to the bristles.
To maintain excellent oral hygiene and to avoid the build-up of plaque and tartar, it is recommended for most adults to use toothbrushes with a small head, with medium or soft bristles. Using a hard-bristle toothbrush can be more damaging to your teeth, especially if applying or over-ambitious brushing, as it can lead to wearing down your enamel and bleeding gums.
Do dentists recommend bamboo toothbrushes?
If your dentist is generally happy with your brushing and the condition of your teeth and gums when using a manual toothbrush, then it is an easy swap to start using a bamboo toothbrush.
However, if your dentist recommends that you use an electric toothbrush to maintain the health of your teeth and gums, then we would always advise you to follow your dental practitioner’s advice.
A proper brushing technique
However, if you have a discussion with your dentist or hygienist, there could be a way around this by changing your manual brushing technique.
With a better understanding of how to brush your teeth, you can continue to use a manual toothbrush, like a bamboo toothbrush, to maintain your oral hygiene whilst having a lower environmental impact.
Here are a few ways in which you can use a manual toothbrush and keep your teeth squeaky clean:
- Brush your teeth at a 45-degree angle against your gum line and brush in short, half-tooth-wide strokes that reach the back of your teeth
- For your molars and premolars, your chewing teeth, make sure you hold your brush flat and brush back and forth
- For the inside of your front teeth, you should tilt your toothbrush vertically and use a gentle up-and-down method of strokes with the tip of your brush
- Be sure to brush gently along your gum line
- Don’t forget to brush your tongue. Your tongue builds up food particles which need to be removed to prevent odour-causing bacteria - thus freshening your breath!
Sustainable brushing for a plastic-free bathroom
Another important thing to remember is to brush your teeth twice a day and floss your teeth at least once per day.
It is also recommended that fluoride toothpaste should be used to prevent tooth decay and gum disease, as well as prevent bad breath.
Here are some sustainable floss and toothpaste alternatives that you can use instead of buying regular plastic packaging:
- Eco Floss: Plant-Based Vegan Dental Floss - £4.20
- Brushd: Natural Corn Dental Floss - £4.49
- Happier: 2 Pack Toothpaste - £20.00
- The White Teeth Box: Bamboo Interdental Floss Brush - £3.75
With Bamboo Barter, you can switch out your plastic toothbrush for a bamboo toothbrush. Here is a range of our toothbrushes:
- Single Bamboo Toothbrush - £5.50
- Pack of 2 Bamboo Toothbrushes - £11.00 down to £9.35 in the sale
- Pack of 4 Bamboo Toothbrushes - £22.00 down to £17.60 in the sale
At Bamboo Barter, we take it another step further, having created bamboo toothbrushes that feature plantable seeds (mint or basil) inside the brush, that can be emptied into a plant pot.
We did this so that our toothbrushes could not only be plastic-free in the bathroom but also inspire a plastic-free kitchen as well! Once done serving in the bathroom, the end of the toothbrush’s life is celebrated as a Basil or Mint herb for your kitchen garden, meaning that one less bag of a plastic packaged herb is consumed and wasted.
So, should you switch from your single-use plastic toothbrush to a bamboo toothbrush?
The answer is simple - yes.
Not only does it have many environmental benefits, but you can also maintain your oral hygiene and ensure that your gums are protected against gum disease.
Please note: If your dentist advises that you should be using a specific type of toothbrush to upkeep your dental care, then follow their guidance. Don’t be afraid to ask your dentist or hygienist questions when it comes to your teeth and gums!
Interested in reading more about bamboo toothbrushes?
Check out our Bamboo Barter blog to discover more about an eco-friendly bathroom by making the switch to bamboo toothbrushes.
Read: Why make the switch to a Bamboo Toothbrush
Read: Bamboo Barter’s Goal to Sustainable Living: One Toothbrush at a Time