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The 7 Best Bamboo Toothbrushes, According To Dentists
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If you’re trying to reduce your carbon footprint, replacing your plastic toothbrush with a bamboo version is a great place to start. The best bamboo toothbrushes feature soft bristles that gently brush your teeth, so you can keep your dental hygiene at the top of its game in the most eco-friendly way possible. Plus, some have ergonomically designed handles for comfortable brushing, and others feature colorful bristles for a design-savvy touch to your bathroom.
As with any toothbrush, the kind of bristles you choose matters. Arabelle McNamara, DMD, is a dentist and owner of Sunset Dental in Ocean, New Jersey, and she recommends soft or extra-soft bristles as they can help maintain gums and preserve natural tooth structure. She says, “You want smooth, soft bristles, without any rough or sharp edges, so be careful when purchasing a cheap, poor quality toothbrush because it can lead to gum loss and decay.”
You’ll also want to replace your brush on the regular — at least every 90 days, according to Rob Raimondi, DDS, of One Manhattan Dental, although it’s a good idea to change it out sooner, just to be safe: “The brush starts to scratch the tooth and gum tissue. This occurs from the bristles breaking, much like split ends of one’s hair. This can physically damage your gum tissue, along with introducing bacteria into your gums and bloodstream.”
Last, keep in mind that nylon bristles are sourced from petroleum and are not fully biodegradable, so we’ve included an option made with boar bristles if you’re looking for the most eco-friendly toothbrush — but keep in mind these tend to be stiffer than soft nylon, so they may be a bit harsh on teeth and gums. With all that in mind, these are the best bamboo toothbrushes on Amazon, so you can keep your pearly whites in good condition while being kind to mother earth.
1The Dentist’s Pick: PLUS ULTRA
- Also available on Thrive Market, $9
Dr. McNamara says, “One of the brands of bamboo toothbrushes I recommend is PLUS ULTRA, their bristles are soft and of great quality, the brush head has a great surface area design that can be used on many different types and shapes of teeth, they are BPA-free, and have an eco-conscious design overall.” The sustainable toothbrushes feature unique wave-shaped nylon bristles designed by dentists, and the handles are emblazoned with affirmations like “hello, gorgeous,” and “hello handsome.” The packaging is biodegradable and made with plant-derived dyes.
According to a reviewer: “Exactly as you'd expect, soft but durable bristles. As portable and effective as any other standard toothbrush except it's not [plastic].”
2The Best Budget Multipack: Nuduko
This 10-pack of bamboo toothbrushes makes it easy to switch out your eco-friendly toothbrush every 90 days (or as soon as you notice wear and tear), so you don’t have to go through the extra step of remembering to reorder all the time. Boasting a 4.5-star overall rating after more than 10,000 reviews, the BPA-free toothbrushes feature soft nylon bristles that are gentle on teeth and gums. The two bristle colors make it easy to differentiate your toothbrush if you live with one other person, but each handle is also individually labeled, so you can still tell them apart if you’ve got more people in your household. Plus, the toothbrushes arrive in recyclable packaging for an environmentally responsible shopping experience.
According to a reviewer: "After seeing so many pictures of plastic trash and millions of toothbrushes in our oceans etc., I thought that these bamboo brushes looked like a good option. I'm happy to say, that I'm very pleased with the product. The bamboo feels very good in my hand, the head and brushes are just the right size and I'd say I get a very good clean feeling using them. Given the current situation with our planet, it would be wonderful to see these brushes replace plastic brushes completely! You can't beat the price either!”
3The Best Boar Bristle Toothbrushes: Gaia Guy
If you want to skip the nylon bristles in favor of a fully biodegradable toothbrush, this set with boar bristles is for you. The bristles are medium-firm, so you’ll want to be extra gentle while brushing, and it’s a good idea to soften them up by placing them under warm water before use. You may also want to store these brushes outside the bathroom, as they’re more likely to grow mold in damp, humid conditions. The six-pack arrives in paper packaging, which is recyclable and biodegradable.
According to a reviewer: "Not only are they truly green, with biodegradable handle AND bristles, but I find them the perfect firmness, and I love the round handle, which I find extremely comfortable to hold. Even the packaging is great, pretty enough to leave standing up behind my toothbrush/toothpaste holder so it's easy to grab a new brush when it's time.”
4The Best Design: Wowe Organic
This set of bamboo toothbrushes with colorful bristles makes oral hygiene just a little more fun — and also makes it easy to distinguish your brush from among the bunch. The toothbrushes have extra-soft BPA-free bristles that go easy on teeth and gums, and the zero-waste paper packaging is recyclable and biodegradable.
According to a reviewer: "I’m extremely happy with this product. My primary reason for purchasing this product is it being eco-friendly and inexpensive. I love that there are four in the package, so that I don’t need to stock up anytime soon and can switch to a new one when needed. This is surprisingly a very effective toothbrush. I feel like I’m getting a great clean without irritating my gums and cramping my hand. The brush is lightweight and comfortable to hold and use. Will definitely purchase more when I run out!”
5The Best Handle: Terra Futura
Most bamboo toothbrushes feature flat handles which may be a bit uncomfortable to hold at first, but these ergonomically designed toothbrushes feature contoured thumb supports that makes them feel a bit more like standard toothbrushes. And for even more brushing ergonomics, the heads are angled 15 degrees for better reach, and have wavy BPA-free nylon bristles for more effective brushing. The bristles are soft, and the color variation means you can tell yours apart from any family members’ or roommates’ brushes. The packaging is made from recyclable paper.
According to a reviewer: "Love the handle, feels good in my hand and the brush is a great cross between the soft and medium. Mouth feels so clean! And I love the idea of no more plastic brushes in the landfill for me. Highly recommend”
6The Best For Kids: EcoFrenzy
For a smaller-sized bamboo toothbrush, grab this colorful set perfect for kids. Each one features a comfy and smooth bamboo handle that’s comfortable for smaller hands to hold, and the BPA-free bristles are organically colored to make brushing more fun for little ones. According to the manufacturer, it's suitable for toddlers and those up to eight years of age. The set has earned an impressive 4.6-star overall rating after more than 2,000 reviews, and arrives in recyclable paper packaging.
According to a reviewer: "Easy to hold for younger kids who want to brush their own teeth, and soft, yet sturdy enough to last a few months and after repeated brushings. Make hard-to-dispose-of plastic a thing of the past with these great dentifrices -- color-coded for easy distinguishability amongst family members, or just to switch it up whenever it's time for a new one!"
7The Best For Travel: Greenzla
This four-pack of bamboo toothbrushes comes with a matching bamboo travel case to keep bristles protected from germs until you reach your destination. The soft bristles are made from bamboo charcoal fiber is great for removing stains, according to the manufacturer. Each toothbrush has a different number of leaves illustrated on the handle, so you always know which one is yours. The set also comes with a roll of mint-flavored charcoal dental floss made from bamboo fiber and packed in a glass jar.
According to a reviewer: “I was using electric but this bamboo toothbrush is softer, easy to clean and the travel case keeps it clean in bag. The bristles do not fall out like other bamboo brushes I’ve tried. Great size for my small mouth as well. Love using the floss in it’s perfect little holder. Doesn’t get easier. Great value package. Will buy again from this company when need more.”
Still have questions? We've got you covered.
How long do bamboo toothbrushes last?
Like all toothbrushes, bamboo toothbrushes should be replaced at least every 90 days. Once your bamboo toothbrush is ready to retire, you have a few options for what to do with it next. Most are compostable, although with some, you'll need to remove the bristles first. You can also upcycle your bamboo toothbrush and use it to clean those hard-to-reach crevices around your home.
Are bamboo toothbrushes hygienic?
Bamboo toothbrushes are one of the oldest in existence, and were invented in 15th century China. While ancient bamboo toothbrushes used boar bristles, modern ones are made with nylon, the exact same material that the bristles of plastic toothbrushes are made from. They're just as hygienic as your run-of-the--mill toothbrush, but a bamboo option may be better for the planet.
Do bamboo toothbrushes get moldy?
Since the bamboo handles of these toothbrushes are made from a somewhat porous material as opposed to a nonporous plastic, they could in theory develop mold if you don't take care of them. Fortunately, caring for your bamboo toothbrush is as easy as giving it a thorough rinse, letting it dry completely between uses, and storing it in a place that will keep it dry. As long as you follow these steps, your bamboo toothbrush is unlikely to develop mold.
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