Why you should switch to a natural toothbrush today
7 Genius Ways to Reduce Waste
January 1, 2021
As the environment faces a steadily escalating crisis, it is necessary to hold every aspect of your everyday lives accountable. Plastic pollution is one of the many casualties to be dealt with, and if you’re looking to dial back your plastic footprint, you’ll want to turn back the clock to the start of your day… with a plastic toothbrush. It is estimated that one billion discarded toothbrushes make their way to landfills every single year. The handle of these toothbrushes is constructed from polypropylene plastic while the bristles are made from nylon — both hailing from non-renewable fossil fuels. If you’re looking for further motivation to make the change, here’s the impact you can make on the environment and your health by switching to a natural toothbrush.
Kinder to the environment
As studies have proved, the plastic debris cluttering our landfills can take over 500 years to decompose. Often, when the waste matter is not treated adequately, it can find its way to water bodies where it serves as a severe choking hazard for the local marine life. By switching to a natural alternative, you could be saving more lives than one.
The production process is eco-friendly
Plastic toothbrushes are generally produced on a mass scale in factories with heavy machinery employed to create the final product. Natural toothbrushes, on the other hand, are often handcrafted involving minimal use of electronic machines, thereby saving energy consumption. The absence of dyes and inks on the handle ensures that no chemicals reach your hands.
Healthier dental hygiene
Beyond just clocking a major win for the environment, natural toothbrushes can work wonders for your dental hygiene as well. Bamboo toothbrushes can last as long as their plastic counterparts and are known to be antibacterial, which makes them an excellent choice for your dental hygiene.
Spiritual connect
As we strive to invite more elements of nature into our homes, bamboo toothbrushes make for an all-natural addition to your dental routine that will help you connect deeper with nature. The conventional miswak, meanwhile, makes for a herbal method of oral cleansing that is revered by many cultures across the world.
What to look for when shopping for a natural toothbrush
If you are looking to minimise your plastic footprint, it makes sense to opt for bamboo toothbrushes instead. However, as with all other natural products, it pays to stay wary of advertising gimmicks and marketing claims. Instead of just picking up any toothbrush that claims to be natural, it pays to do an extra check. When shopping for one, look for bristles made from Nylon-4, which is believed to be biodegradable under the right conditions. Also, ensure that your purchase is packed in eco-friendly or biodegradable cardboard — copious amounts of plastic packaging would negate the purpose! Once you are done with the toothbrush, it can be used around the house for cleaning purposes or donated for composting after removing the bristles.
Despite having the best intentions, saving the environment can often seem like a mammoth task. However, it is small steps like these that can help you make a positive impact on the environment and leave behind a better world for future generations.
Make the switch now!
Here are some of the Bamboo Toothbrushes we recommend:
