The American Dental Association recommends that you change your toothbrush every three months. If you've been using plastic brushes, however, this means you'll be throwing away a lot of plastic unnecessarily. As more and more people become aware of the environmental impact of polluting plastic waste, they're looking for alternatives to standard toothbrushes made from plastic materials. Bamboo has become popular as an alternative material because it's biodegradable — meaning it will naturally break down without harming the environment or wildlife if it ends up as trash. Read on to find out why bamboo is better than plastic!
People are realizing that plastic toothbrushes are polluting the earth
When you think about it, your plastic toothbrush isn’t a very sustainable product. Over one billion plastic toothbrushes are thrown away each year in the United States alone. In addition to filling up our landfills, these plastics can also contaminate our oceans and marine life. Luckily, we have a better option: bamboo toothbrushes!
Bamboo is an incredible material that grows quickly and abundantly on its own; it doesn't require any pesticides or irrigation to grow well. And since bamboo is so biodegradable itself (it decomposes faster than wood!), when you decide to throw out your old brush at the end of its life span (a few months), there won't be anything left behind but composted mulch for your garden or yard!
Doctors recommend you switch brushes every three months
In our culture, most people use a toothbrush for about three months before discarding it. Dentists often recommend that you get a new one when the bristles start to wear out or become less effective at cleaning your teeth and gums. Dentists also suggest using soft bristles on your toothbrush because they are more gentle on the enamel in your mouth.
But there’s another reason why dentists often advise against keeping an old toothbrush around: they can harbor bacteria that cause gum disease and other oral health issues. Needless to say, this is not ideal—and it makes sense why they would recommend replacing them every so often!
But if we need so many brushes, there has to be a more sustainable option than throwing them away after just three months—especially since we live in an era where plastic waste is becoming such a huge problem worldwide. Enter bamboo toothbrushes—they’re not only better for our mouths, but also for the environment as well!
Bamboo over plastic
Plastic toothbrushes are made from non-renewable resources, but bamboo is a renewable resource that grows quickly. Bamboo has been used for thousands of years in Asia as a building material and for furniture, so it's not surprising to learn that it also makes an excellent toothbrush.
Just like any other wood product, bamboo can be harvested in an environmentally-friendly way by utilizing mature trees rather than cutting down new ones. In fact, bamboo plantations can actually be beneficial to the environment because they help protect streams from soil erosion and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by sequestering large amounts of carbon into their roots.
How to make the switch to a biodegradable toothbrush
Bamboo toothbrushes are a great alternative to plastic toothbrushes, but there’s one big question that might be holding you back from making the switch: how do you get used to it?
Bamboo is obviously a different texture than plastic, so it may feel strange at first, especially if you’ve been using plastic your whole life. However, once your mouth gets used to the change in texture and material of a bamboo toothbrush (and trust me—it will), brushing your teeth will feel just as good as with a regular style brush.
Making the switch to a bamboo toothbrush is easy. Here are some tips:
Look for the words “bamboo” or “biodegradable” on the packaging of your toothbrush. If you don't see either of these, try to track down a brand that is environmentally responsible and offers a sustainable alternative to plastic brushes.
Make sure you're buying from a manufacturer with an excellent environmental record by checking out their website or reaching out directly through email.
If you're looking for an easy way to make a difference in the world, consider switching to bamboo toothbrushes. It's a small step that will have a huge impact on your health and the environment!
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