Brushing our teeth has been a daily routine, and as it has become so ingrained into our lives, questioning it has become an afterthought, or we may not even do this at all, but there might be a time when you question the material your toothbrush is made from.
As we go through many toothbrushes in our lifetime, there is a good chance that many of these will end up in our seas, where they can pose a threat to marine animals and ecosystems.
That's why changing your toothbrush to a bamboo one can really make a difference, as it can cut down on waste as bamboo ones tend to be biodegradable, but which one do you go for?
In this article, we'll give you our top picks for bamboo-made toothbrushes that we think will work well for the job as well as be kinder to the environment.
Read on to get the most from your toothbrush and cut down on unnecessary waste.
The 7 Best Bamboo Toothbrushes Available Right Now
OUR TOP PICK
These might have a simple design to them, but we find that this value-pack of four toothbrushes can last you for a year, and this is made even better by the ergonomic bamboo handle that is water-resistant and lightweight to hold.
The handle is even more helpful when you find out that it's more durable than wooden toothbrush handles, and you can even mark, write, or draw on these how you like so you can tell them apart.
What We Like
- The packaging is minimal and made of recycled paper, as the aim here is to reduce plastic consumption, so it gets a thumbs up from us.
- The bristles appear to be soft to the touch, but they have a deep clean and are kind to teeth and gums, making them suitable for any sensitivity of gums or teeth.
What We don't like
- Some users have reported that the bristles aren't soft enough, but this complaint may be specific to individual preferences.
- Not everyone will be happy with the animal markings on the handle, and if so, you might have to search around for alternate versions.
EDITORS CHOICE
Here we have an adult bamboo toothbrush made with charcoal and bamboo fibres, with some nylon 6 material, and the best thing is, these fibres are from recycled nylon, which makes them 63% plant-based in materials.
You'll also find that the bristles come in soft, medium, and firm fibre types, meaning these can be used by a range of users, from sensitive teeth and gums to those who want a brush that can do a deep clean.
What We Like
- This toothbrush is available in 14 different colours, including morning sunshine, well red, upbeat blue, and purple pizazz, to express your tastes in another way.
- The simple and lightweight design makes this toothbrush easy to manoeuvre, however intense or gentle your brushing method is.
What We don't like
- The head size might be bigger than what some might expect from a toothbrush, as it only comes in an adult size.
- The feeling of wood on the back might be a strange sensation in the mouth at first, as most plastic toothbrushes tend to have a unique texture on the back to make cleaning your tongue easier.
BEST VALUE
If you're typing to get the whole family to cut down on plastic consumption, this pack of five natural and organic bamboo toothbrushes are a great place to start and comes in hygienically sealed paper, with each brush being eco-safe painted to keep them separate.
The bristles are designed in a wavy pattern and are made to clean those hard-to-reach areas while smoothly and thoroughly cleaning enamel as well.
What We Like
- With bristles that are somewhere between soft and medium, you can be confident after a while, which can give you the same experience as using a regular toothbrush.
- The toothbrush has a solid design, which makes it less likely to splinter and hurt lips and gums, which can be a concern for many people.
What We don't like
- The bristles aren't biodegradable, so you'll have to pluck them out, which can be an inconvenience where some may not have the patience for this task.
- If you have young children, you'll have to buy the children's varieties as they have a wider surface, which means you could end up paying more for your toothbrushes.
RUNNER UP
These natural toothbrushes are crafted from sustainable bamboo, so you don't have to worry about panda populations not having enough bamboo to tuck into, and what's more, is that they are less likely to break, fade, or chip during your brushing.
The bristles are made to be compliant with those who may have a disease or receding of gums but can give you the specific action on plaque and enamel that you come to expect with a plastic toothbrush.
What We Like
- The brush has an oval handle which makes it easier to grip and control while brushing, so you won't have to worry too much about it slipping in your hand during use.
- They come with a coating at the bottom which prevents them from getting wet, and a build-up of mould, which isn't a pleasant sight regardless of what brush you use.
What We don't like
- The sizing and the gap between the fibres and the end of the wooden head could make it difficult for a child to use it, and it might be too big to clean difficult areas of their teeth.
- The bristles might be softer than some would like, so these brushes might take some getting used to.
RUNNER UP
Really stylish in design, the aim of this manufacturer is to create easy-to-adopt and useable alternatives to the typical plastic toothbrush, and are made with toxin-free paint and Dupont nylon bristles.
When rinsed and left to dry by the air, they can be an effective and long-lasting brush, where no compromises are made over materials which could have adverse effects on the user's oral health, which is thorough and gentle during brushing.
What We Like
- Each brush is designed with a different bamboo pattern which can compliment your bathroom nicely, so you'll not want to hide these away.
- The bristles are cut at a uniform length, so there's not much of a chance that it can stab your gums and cause discomfort while brushing.
What We don't like
- If your bathroom is prone to getting warm and steamy, you could see mould develop, which is a consequence of using natural materials.
- The handle might not be as strong as you'd expect from other types of these toothbrushes, so you might have to adjust your method to get the best clean from this brush.
RUNNER UP
We've gone for something different with this design as you have a foldable brush with you being able to remove the brush end and replace it with another to make it more portable, and you can flip it around and use it as a cover to protect the brush from bacteria and dust.
This doesn't affect the quality, though, as the bristles are soft and of a quality that can penetrate deep into the teeth gap while giving you an easy brushing experience.
What We Like
- Being able to fold it means you can take it anywhere and can save you from having to buy travel-sized brushes, which don't get used that often.
- It is lightweight, and the softness of the bristles means it can be used by adults and children, as it can be forgiving on gums and teeth.
What We don't like - If exposed to water or steam for a long time, this can cause the brush connection to swell and become tight when you go to switch heads, but it can be left out to dry to alleviate this problem.
- Vigorous use of this brush might cause some bristles to come loose, so you might have to be wary of how much pressure you use when using this toothbrush.
RUNNER UP
This bamboo toothbrush comes from a brand that is well known in the teeth cleaning world, and don't disappoint with these stylish-looking brushes that have slim-tipped bristles that give a gentle and deep clean between teeth.
These bristles are infused with Binchotan charcoal and are waterproofed with beeswax to minimise the absorption of water and make it much more effective at getting along the gum line, so you get a lot of coverage here.
What We Like
- If you have braces and other toothbrushes that don't work for you, you might find this toothbrush to be more forgiving to braces while being hard-wearing as well.
- If you're worried about the durability, users have reported that the brushes haven't seen any deterioration, and the handle doesn't seem to have any signs of wearing or chipping.
What We don't like
- The bristles seem to look soft, but some have complained about them being too sharp, which no one wants, but might be avoided if you break them in, so you might have to be patient with this one.
Buyers Guide
You know what these toothbrushes look like, but before you go making any other decisions, there are a few factors that you might want to consider, as these could affect your experience of using these, potentially for the worse.
Below we have provided a few of these aspects to help better inform your decision-making process.
What Is Your Primary Toothbrush?
With more people opting to use an electric toothbrush, you might be wondering what the point of having a bamboo toothbrush is, as electric toothbrushes have been shown to be more effective at removing plaque and gum diseases such as gingivitis.
While this is what you want with a toothbrush, it's also important to note that an electric type is more impactful on the environment, as the heads need changing, and it's made of unique parts and materials used to make them.
The most effective types of toothbrushes are the ones where the plastic from them can be recycled over and over again, making the process of making them sustainable.
Bristle Material
While we mentioned that bamboo toothbrushes use nylon bristles, and even though you can find the same material in some other plastic toothbrushes, there is the option of charcoal bristles, which are biodegradable and can easily be disposed of when you wear them out.
You can also be assured that the bristles on the bamboo toothbrushes are just as gentle on gums while being tough on plaque, which is why we find they are a good pick for the whole family.
You also get a material that doesn't splinter after successive uses, so you don't have to worry about your brush bristles looking out of sorts after a short while
Cost
When looking at costs, you might find there isn't much difference in the price between plastic and bamboo toothbrushes, and you'll find you can save money compared to buying packs of toothbrush heads for an electric toothbrush.
With buying in quantities, you can get toothbrushes for the whole family, or maybe you want a few as spares that will undoubtedly last you some time before you need replacements.
Design And Look
When you think of bamboo toothbrushes, you might be thinking of a bit of wood with some bristles, and let's be honest, that isn't a very inspiring look for those days when you're just not feeling it.
The good news is that you can find more unique styles of toothbrushes that have lovely patterns and are coloured so you can identify whose brush is whose, so you never have to get into any slight arguments again.
You can liven it up with some rainbow or bright-coloured bristles on the toothbrushes, which are great for kids, or you could have this colour for yourself, which you'll definitely want to look into once you've seen the wide varieties that are available.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Materials Make Up A Bamboo Toothbrush?
The handles are made of pure giant Moso bamboo, and the thistles can be made of nylon, nylon 4, and this can benefit your health as they are free from BPA, which is a chemical used with plastics that can cause issues such as raised blood pressure and heart disease.
While this all sounds good, if you want your bamboo toothbrush to completely degrade, you'll have to pluck out the bristles before throwing them away, which can be inconvenient for some.
What Are The Benefits Of Using A Bamboo Toothbrush?
As well as being kinder to our environment and our oceans, you can easily dispose of these toothbrushes in your garden or compost bin, as they are 100% biodegradable and can take just 4-6 months to decompose naturally.
You'll also find that you get the same quality in oral care that your teeth need just as well as a regular or electric toothbrush, which can sometimes use the same nylon bristles, but others use pig or badger hair, which could be more harmful to your gums.
This makes them suitable for all ages as you have less pressure on your enamel and gums, so you don't have to go shopping in different places to find child-friendly toothbrushes.
How Is A Bamboo Toothbrush Sustainable?
We've gone over some of the environmental benefits, but these toothbrushes are able to be made as quickly as they are because the plant it comes from, the bamboo, is one of the fastest growing plants, so that this process can be much more sustainable.
And as the bamboo can be replanted, there's a good chance that it will never run out, and when making these types of toothbrushes, manufacturers produce a lot less air pollution, which is a big win.
Conclusion
You've seen our selection, but before you go throwing away any brushes you have, it might be a good idea to get some use out of them, as it would be a waste if you acquired a toothbrush recently.
You also don't have to throw away your electric toothbrush, as we find you might be losing out in terms of the cleaning quality, so perhaps you could try a bamboo toothbrush and see what the difference is between each finish.
Of course, you should do this alongside flossing, and you should try to aim to brush at least twice a day for 2-4 minutes, and this way, you can get into the habit of making it a part of your routine.
With this in mind, you can now have healthy and clean teeth with a toothbrush that is kinder to the environment, and this gets a big nod of approval from us. Thank you for reading.
He has combined both of these skills to create his first company, Isopharm Limited, which became one of the top learning platforms within the dental industry.
With over 120,000 active users, he has been able to educate others in order to provide better dental care around the world.
With his expertise and work in the field, Andrew has been able to help many dental care professionals succeed in treating their patients.
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