Have you seen the pictures and reports of plastic toothbrush pollution across the news? Beaches are littered with them everywhere. Realizing that most toothbrushes are not recyclable, it was my goal to find and replace our plastic toothbrushes with a more eco-friendly and sustainable alternative. Through this review, I found that Bamboo toothbrushes are the answer!
Thanks to our friends at Oath Essentials Inc., I was able to try my first bamboo toothbrush and learn a lot about what makes them worth the switch.
Bamboo Toothbrushes are Sustainable
Unlike plastic toothbrushes that are made from nonrecyclable plastics, bamboo toothbrushes are made from a quick-growing, sustainable woody perennial grass which is naturally antimicrobial and water-resistant.
Although you always need to read your labels and know the manufacturing practices of your favorite toothbrush suppliers, most suppliers are very conscientious to use sustainably grown materials and minimal packaging.
Bamboo Toothbrushes are Mostly Compostable
Not only are bamboo toothbrushes mostly biodegradable, but they are also back-yard compostable making them very earth-friendly.
The Oath Essentials bamboo brushes and many others require you to remove the nylon bristles before composting, but the effort is worth it. For details on how to easily remove the bristles before composting, see the Oath Essentials video HERE.
Related Post: Why I Recommend Poofy Organics Products
Bamboo Toothbrushes are Affordable
Not too long ago you would find yourself paying at least double the cost for earth-friendly products, but bamboo toothbrushes have become such a popular alternative you can easily find them online at comparable prices to plastic.
Oath Essential toothbrushes are very affordable with a four-pack available for under $10 from their website. You can also find a large variety of bamboo toothbrushes on Amazon with prices from $5-$15 depending on how many you order.
Bamboo Toothbrushes are Not Perfect
If you’re used to special toothbrushes with fancy bristles and heads, you probably won’t be able to find a bamboo toothbrush that gives you exactly the same features.
The good news is that with more options becoming available, you can easily find a brush that feels good in your hand and on your teeth by trying a few to see which brush type you prefer.
The only other drawback I’ve found is that some brushes lose their bristles while brushing which can be both annoying and disconcerting. (A bristle in your mouth is not a fun feeling!) Depending on the brand, some lose very few and others more.
The Oath Essentials toothbrush I tried only lost 2 bristles in 30 days which isn’t bad. I found that pulling on the bristles before brushing helps me to remove loose bristles before they end up in my mouth.
A Note About Molding Handles:
I have heard that the toothbrushes can get mold spots if you don’t keep them dry. I didn’t have this experience since I use an open toothbrush holder like this one on Amazon. (Be sure to keep it clean and avoid water in the bottom of the holder.)
Bamboo Toothbrushes are Worth the Switch
With so few drawbacks and so many environmental positives, finding and using a bamboo toothbrush you like is worth the effort. By using bamboo you avoiding plastic pollution from both the brushes and the packaging, reducing your impact to almost zero waste!
Refillable Natural Silk Dental Floss
OK, what about dental floss? Our friends at Oath Essentials have a solution for dental floss waste as well. For about $8 they offer an attractive reusable stainless steel tube with 1 spool of candelilla wax-coated natural silk, compostable floss! See it HERE.
If you already have a favorite brand of bamboo toothbrush, send me a message. I’d love to give it a try!
Looking for Ecofriendly Tooth Paste?
I use Poofy Organics Tooth Powder and Happy Teeth Toothpaste with my bamboo toothbrushes. They are both certified organic products that can be used alone or in combination. I personally used the toothpaste on a daily basis and use the tooth powder a few days a week. Both work great on their own and the difference is mostly personal preference, but I find that the tooth powder seems to help remove coffee staining a bit better. Get more information on Poofy Organics HERE.
Affiliate Links & Review Product
This post contains affiliate links which means when you purchase through my recommendations, I will receive a small commission to support my blog. Thank you!
Many thanks to Oath Essentials Inc. for sending me a complimentary bamboo toothbrush and natural silk dental floss for this review. But be assured, all of the opinions in this review are mine from my personal experience with the product. Darlene
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