The bamboo electric toothbrush heads are fantastic eco-friendly products. As the name suggests, the toothbrush head and handle are made of bamboo.
You can either replace the plastic toothbrush head with a bamboo head or buy a new bamboo toothbrush set.
So, should you use bamboo electric toothbrush heads? Let’s dive in and find out why these products are eco-friendly and sustainable, and also great for your oral health.
Bamboo electric toothbrush heads replacement
The good news is that you can get only the bamboo toothbrush heads replacement for your electric toothbrush, no need to buy a new set. However, it is not one-size-fits-all. So, you have to make sure the head is compatible with your current toothbrush.
Some companies like The Truthbrush.com developed eco-friendly bamboo toothbrush heads that can fit popular electric toothbrushes like the Philips Sonicare brush.
Image: The Truthbrush – See Link for more info
Here is where you can get the bamboo toothbrushes replacement heads and bamboo toothbrush gifts.
Electric toothbrush heads made of bamboo
The interest in electric toothbrushes has been growing exponentially in the UK in the last 5 years. Between 2017 and 2021, over 12 million adults used electric toothbrushes and replaced their heads 3 – 4 times a year. That’s about 42 million toothbrush heads in 5 years alone.
There are concerns that this has done more harm to the environment than good to people’s oral health.
The good news is that new and eco-friendly options are available on the market in the last 2 years in the UK. They are predominantly made from bamboo, which is known to be the fastest-growing plant, and sustainable.
Bamboo toothbrushes are also biodegradable. That means that the toothbrush handle and replacement head will break down and turn into the soil very quickly. One point to note is that the bristles (brushes) are made of nylon, an eco-plastic product.
Recycle toothbrushes made of bamboo
Some reports indicated that replacing the plastic-made toothbrush with a bamboo toothbrush has reduced the total amount of waste to about 30 percent.
In fact, bamboo toothbrushes are not only recyclable but also biodegradable and break down within 3 – 5 years.
When the nylon bristles wear out, cut them before binning them. The bamboo head can be placed in the garden bin they are natural wastes.
The development, manufacture and use of bamboo toothbrushes, including the latest electric toothbrush with heads, are promising trends as far as reduction of waste is concerned.
How often do you need to change your toothbrush head?
Generally, dentists recommend changing the toothbrush head anytime between 2 – 4 months. There is no definite expiry or use-by date. The heads are expensive and therefore it is up to the users to decide when to replace them.
As a rule of thumb, if it does not need replacing, do not replace it.
The head made of bamboo are likely to wear within the timeframe of 2 – 4 months.
One top tip is to always check the rim that slips into the main handle. This joinery is susceptible to wear and tear (just like the plastic toothbrush) because of the vibrations.
Plastic electric toothbrush pros and cons
Conventional toothbrush is unrecyclable because the plastics in them are difficult, if not impossible, to break down efficiently.
Since 2017, it is estimated that over 12 million people in the UK were using electric toothbrushes. Though they are recyclable, they are not environmentally friendly, and are unsustainable.
Pros of using a Plastic toothbrush
- Easy to find a head replacement.
- Lasts longer than a bamboo toothbrush.
- Works better than the handheld toothbrush.
- Can withstand falls due to its plastic casing.
Cons of using a plastic toothbrush
- Unrecyclable.
- Unsustainable.
- Staggering replacement rate of 4 – 5 times a year.
- Plastic and battery add to the pollution and poisoning of the rivers and oceans.
Bamboo electric toothbrushes are eco-friendly
The number of toothbrushes in landfills is staggering. A Nat Geo survey revealed that hundreds of toothbrushes are often found by beach cleaners in Hawaii. It is now one of the main trash washed up on the beaches.
Some companies in the UK are developing toothbrushes with bamboo handles. In fact, you can now get a bamboo toothbrush set or head replacement that’s made of bamboo online or in-store.
Meanwhile, only the nylon bristles can be cut off and discarded as landfill wastes, whereas the bamboo handle and head are returned as garden waste.
The bamboo electric toothbrush, like the Solid Toothbrush Heads, are eco-friendly. The replacement heads are made from durable bamboo and last longer. Two heads can last for 6 months or more.
The bamboo toothbrushes with removable heads are fantastic products for replacing plastic heads.
Bamboo products are sustainable
Bamboos products are not only eco-friendly and durable, but they are also sustainable. Many green companies in the UK are sourcing these products from communities and organisations that are working to protect the environment.
As a bamboo info-site, we know how fast bamboo grows. It has the potential to be the go-to raw (eco-friendly and sustainable) material to replace the depleting trees and forests.
While you are here, you may want to check out the stunning bamboo plate and set for kids.
Please, let us know what you think about the use of bamboo.