What kind of toothbrush do you use? Most likely, your answer is a conventional plastic one. After all, it keeps our teeth clean and our mouth feeling fresh. However, there are alternatives to maintaining good oral hygiene. Bamboo toothbrushes are one of them. More and more people are switching from plastic to bamboo toothbrushes. The question is, which one works better? This post will compare plastic and bamboo toothbrushes and see which ones are better.
What are bamboo toothbrushes?
We are all familiar with plastic toothbrushes, but what exactly are bamboo toothbrushes? As the name suggests, they come from a plant called bamboo. This plant originates from China, Asia, and South America. It grows naturally and is safe to use. Now, people use bamboo for many things, including fuel, building materials, kitchen utensils, and writing. People in Asia and Africa even eat bamboo shoots and use them in their cuisines. Although it is increasingly popular now, bamboo toothbrushes have been around for centuries. China first made them using bamboo for the handle and boar hairs for bristles.
Features
In terms of appearance, bamboo toothbrushes look very similar to conventional plastic ones. They both have a handle and bristles to remove plaque and food particles from your teeth. However, the material it comes from is different. Plastic and bamboo toothbrushes come in many different varieties. They cater to children and adults and come in different shapes, sizes, and colors. On the market, bamboo toothbrushes come from bamboo. Like conventional plastic toothbrushes, bamboo bristles consist of nylon. Most people would agree that bamboo toothbrushes look more stylish and modern than plastic ones. It is more aesthetically pleasing to the eyes and can blend in with any bathroom decor.
Bristles
Depending on your preference, plastic toothbrushes have bristles of different firmness: soft, medium, or hard. If you buy medium or hard bristles, you are more likely to damage your teeth and gums. It may cause bleeding, inflammation, or other dental problems. Bamboo toothbrushes are more beneficial as they have soft or extra-soft bristles. They are even suitable if you wear braces or other orthodontic appliances. You can buy travel-size plastic and bamboo toothbrushes. Bamboo toothbrushes have a detachable head.
Some bamboo toothbrushes have bristles containing activated charcoal. This feature is beneficial because activated charcoal naturally removes stained teeth and whitens them. Over time, smokers develop yellow stains on their teeth, so they may find it particularly useful.
Effectiveness
The sole purpose of brushing your teeth is to remove food debris and plaque from your teeth. If you do not remove plaque regularly, it can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Both plastic and bamboo toothbrushes are effective in doing this. Even though bamboo toothbrushes have soft bristles, it still works well.
Which is safer to use?
Plastic toothbrushes usually contain a harmful chemical known as Bisphenol A (BPA) during the manufacturing process. BPA exposure can lead to many health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes. It can also have damaging effects on the brain and prostate gland. However, bamboo toothbrushes do not contain BPA or any other hazardous chemicals. Because bamboo plants do not need pesticides or fertilizers to grow, bamboo toothbrushes are safer.
Effect on the environment
In a nutshell, plastic toothbrushes are bad for the environment. Every year, we throw away billions of these toothbrushes. You may wonder where it all ends up? The answer: in our landfill, where it takes up to 1000 years to decompose. It can also pollute the ocean, harming and killing marine life. The good news is that bamboo toothbrushes are 100% biodegradable. So, when your toothbrush is ready for disposal, throw it in your garden or some compost. In a matter of months, it will naturally decompose itself! Isn’t that amazing? Alternatively, you can remove the bristles, place the bamboo handle in your fireplace and use it for fuel. Manufacturers make the packaging of the brush recyclable. So, nothing goes to waste. Parts of the bamboo toothbrush are also recyclable. After removing the bristles, you can also recycle the handle. Plastic toothbrushes consist of mixed materials, such as plastic, nylon, and rubber. These materials are difficult to separate and thus cannot be recycled. So, if you buy bamboo toothbrushes for you and your family, you will be doing your part in saving the environment.
Hygiene
Plastic toothbrushes can harbor millions of bacteria. On the other hand, one of the added benefits of bamboo toothbrushes is that it naturally has anti-microbial properties. So, harmful bacteria can not grow and spread on the brush handle. It makes bamboo toothbrushes safer and hygienic than conventional plastic ones.
Recommendations
The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes. Brush in the morning and before sleeping, so bacteria cannot feed on debris left in your mouth. Replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months or when the bristles have worn away. Visit your dentist twice a year for checkups. Even if you are taking good care of your teeth, you may not be able to clean harder-to-reach areas around your teeth. It can lead to the build-up of plaque, which the dentist can remove.
Plaque feeds on foods and drinks containing sugar. The plaque converts the sugar into acid, which causes cavities. The same goes for foods containing carbohydrates because they consist of sugars in other forms. Foods containing carbohydrates include bread, pasta, rice, cereals, and potatoes. So, to keep your teeth healthy, avoid or limit sugary or carbohydrate foods from your diet. Avoid or limit the consumption of acidic foods and beverages to maintain healthy teeth.
As you can see, plastic and bamboo toothbrushes clean your teeth effectively. However, bamboo toothbrushes are safer, hygienic, and better for your health and the environment. With so many benefits, it’s no surprise why bamboo toothbrushes are becoming increasingly popular. The good news is that bamboo toothbrushes are here to stay.