Your Questions About Biodegradable Toothbrushes - Answered!

Do you know the amount of waste you produce in a year? According to World Bank Group each person accumulates up to 1.4 kg of waste in a day! I am guilty of it too. From packing my cut fruits in a disposable plastic bag to changing my toothbrush every three months, one person can sure contribute to a lot of waste!

The thing is, it’s the little things that count. Throwing away an old bed or your television may seem like a lot of volume, but it is the smaller things like batteries and our daily hygiene items that take a toll. Which is why I started doing a little research ways I can reduce my waste on a daily level. That is when I came across biodegradable toothbrushes with a sustainable design. Dentists would advise changing our toothbrushes regularly but they don’t say much on the topic of these eco-friendlier toothbrushes.

Opting for it wouldn’t be the first thing on our minds (it sure wasn’t on mine!). First, has it undergone ample treatment and processing to be safe? What’s the shelf-life of it? Can kids use it? Well, have all your questions (and fears) answered here!

“Are biodegradable toothbrushes safe?”
These eco-friendly ones are usually safe for you and your family as well as for the environment. The best ones are the bamboo toothbrushes, where the handles itself are plant-based. Do keep an eye out on the packaging for harmful petroleum-based plastics in the making of these toothbrushes, just to be on the safe side.

“All biodegradable toothbrushes are vegan.”
Unfortunately this is a myth! To make these recyclable toothbrushes, the bristles, handles and in some diligent companies, the packaging is made entirely out of by-products or biodegradable materials. Some bristles are made out of pig hair! If you’re vegan, look out for bristles that are made with nylon-4. One such brand is Nordics. The bristles are made from plastic polymers and anyone - vegan or not - can use them.

“Do these biodegradable toothbrushes have an expiry?”
Yes they do. As they are made with organic or purely plant-based items, the shelf life of it is much shorter than regular toothbrushes. Some of them need to be changed between 2-3 months, especially after you’re ill. But this keeps you in check of your dental hygiene to change your toothbrush regularly.

“What about black bristles, are these safe?”
Charcoal is known to have binchotan. Essentially the bristles are processed with charcoal powder which gives the bristles their dark finish. For white teeth, this would be a good choice to get that sparkle in your smile.

Now that you know more about biodegradable toothbrushes, it is worth changing a small part of your lifestyle which can benefit the earth in a big way. Were all your questions answered? If not, share them with us!