Lots of people are looking for ways they can reduce their environmental impact and reduce their plastic waste. Even small changes to our everyday life add up to big changes over time, especially when everybody gets involved. One small, simple change you can make is switching to a toothbrush that’s a little more eco-friendly than your standard fare. So, let’s look at a few options.
Electric toothbrushes
When it comes to plastic waste, electric toothbrushes are slightly more sustainable and eco-friendly than plastic manual brushes. This is because you only have to replace the head of the electric toothbrush rather than the entire toothbrush, meaning you’re throwing away slightly less plastic each time. This may not sound like much of a difference, but if everyone’s changing their toothbrush every 3-4 months as recommended, then it can add up to a much bigger difference.
Bamboo toothbrushes
If you’re trying to eliminate your plastic waste as much as possible, then opt for a wooden toothbrush instead. Lots of oral care brands are now offering environmentally-friendly toothbrushes with bio-degradable handles, most often made of bamboo. This means that the majority of the toothbrush will decompose naturally when disposed of, although not entirely since the bristles are generally still made of plastic. Their packaging will usually be made out of cardboard or other recyclable materials rather than plastic.
These are just basic toothbrushes, so they may not have quite the same cleaning power or additional features as toothbrushes you are used to, especially if you usually use an electric toothbrush. Some people may also find that they’re less comfortable to hold than rounded, plastic handles with grips.
Stainless steel toothbrushes
This next option is kind of a combination of the above two concepts – a toothbrush that you only have to change the head of regularly, but that replaceable head is also made of bamboo for even greater sustainability. Brands like Barnaby’s Brushes have made a stainless steel toothbrush with replaceable bamboo heads.
These metal handles look nice and sleek and are extremely durable, so you can keep them for a long time (which is why there’s a push for using stainless steel water bottles and drinking straws to be reused). This option can also be more comfortable to hold than bamboo handles.
Read our blog for more tips on how to choose the right toothbrush for you. And if you need a dental check-up or are having any oral health problems, then contact Advance Family Dentists to book an appointment with your family dentist in Advance, NC.