Eco Friendly Toothbrushes

Brushing our teeth has been a part of our daily routines for so long that we rarely give it much thought, but thanks to the rising awareness of plastic pollution, more of us are reconsidering our everyday choices.

It’s estimated that billions of plastic toothbrushes are used worldwide every year, with the average person using around 300 in their lifetime. Unfortunately, roughly 80 per cent of these toothbrushes will end up in the sea, where they pose a risk to marine life and habitats.

Each plastic toothbrush takes up to a thousand years to decompose, so it’s little wonder that by 2050 it’s predicted that there will be a higher volume of plastic waste in the oceans than fish.

But don’t worry, there are a few smart ways you can make your routine more sustainable without feeling overwhelmed. Step one. Buy one of our bamboo or eco-friendly toothbrushes.

The toothbrushes we are having on offer here are all biodegradable bar their bristles, which are made from nylon which is free from BPA (BPA is a chemical used to make certain plastics that can seep into drinks, possibly leading to an increased risk of health problems such as increased blood pressure, heart disease and impaired brain development in children). The downside is that they will need to be plucked out with pliers before you can throw your brush onto the compost heap.

There is a rise in using bamboo toothbrushes or beech-wood toothbrushes and when you have bought one you should take extra care to keep yours clean. Once you finish brushing, rinse the bristles for 30 seconds to wash away remaining toothpaste or food debris, and avoid leaving your toothbrush in a warm, damp case or holder as this encourages the growth of microorganism.

There is no hard and fast rule on how often you should replace a toothbrush, but we would recommend changing yours every one to three months depending on the frequency of use.  Best is to have a look when the bristles start to curve, bend or fold over than it’s time to get a new one.