We are living in the era of approaching sustainable options as an alternative to the ones contributing to pollution. This is an approach to protecting the environment from plastic pollution and using eco-friendly products for our day-to-day lives. 

Toothbrushes or plastic toothbrushes contributed significantly to the plastic pollution crisis, even though it is convenient for us. That is why the invention of bamboo toothbrushes has emerged as an eco-friendly alternative for sustainable oral care. 

As also advised by the dentist in Orleans Ottawa, opting for bamboo toothbrushes and leaving behind traditional plastic ones has benefits to your oral health as well as a role in protecting the environment from the plastic pollution crisis. Let us see in this blog why choosing a bamboo toothbrush is a good choice for you. 

Why No to Plastic Toothbrushes?

For a long time in the field of healthcare practices, toothbrushes have emerged as a stable tool used by us. However, its environmental impact is concerning because of its inability to be disposed of quickly, almost over 3.5 million plastic toothbrushes are disposed of globally, and most of them end up in landfills or the ocean.

Plastic toothbrushes are made of non-renewable resources like polypropylene and nylon that are derived from crude oil. These take over 400 years to decompose and till then they stay in the ocean and pose a risk to marine life by releasing microplastics into the ecosystems, and due to harm towards marine life by following the food chain, humans are also affected. 

Benefits Of Bamboo Toothbrushes

To take action against the alarming rate at which pollution is rising, bamboo toothbrushes have emerged as an eco-friendly solution to save the environment but also provide numerous oral health benefits. Because they are made of bamboo, a natural ingredient, it is easier for them to decompose in the ecosystem within six months and without leaving any toxic residue behind.

 Apart from being biodegradable, they also have antimicrobial properties, which naturally help inhibit bacteria growth in your mouth, and toothbrushes made of soft to medium bristles will prevent gum recession and enamel erosion, and compared to plastic ones, they more effectively remove plaque buildup and food debris, giving you an effective cleaning and helping in maintaining oral care 

Even if they are made of bamboo, their antimicrobial properties will prevent any type of fungal growth on their handle, and with their natural finish and simple design, you will be able to fit them into your dental care pouch seamlessly, making it easier for traveling. 

For More Better Sustainable Oral Care

Bamboo toothbrushes are one part of the steps toward better oral care products and practices. However, rather than just switching materials for one product, innovating all care products into more effective and biodegradable options is what researchers are working for.

Inventing eco-friendly toothpaste to avoid plastic waste because it is multi-layered and hard to decompose to an innovative approach of eco-friendly toothpaste options like tablets or powders in compostable materials. They are made of safe materials and are safe for the environment as well as personal health. 

Other ways of going ahead with eco-friendly practices are using digital X-rays to reduce paper waste, using better-quality tools with proper sterilization instead of disposable ones, and encouraging the use of energy-saving lights instead of high-powered ones. 

The change in oral health practices and opting for eco-friendly options will require dentists to first approach them and encourage the patients to use these alternatives, explaining to them their benefits and how it is going to help them in long-term health and contributing to saving the environment too. 

As a patient, you should choose a dentist who opts for eco-friendly options and is committed to saving the environment by going ahead with biodegradable choices, which helps in better treatment and oral health.