Tooth brushing is a mandatory part of every morning and evening toilet. Maintaining proper condition of the oral cavity requires regular brushing of teeth and periodical change of the toothbrush. Bacteria and germs accumulate between the bristles of a toothbrush, which may contribute to gingivitis, for example, and therefore the toothbrush should be replaced regularly. However, throwing away plastic toothbrushes has a very negative impact on the environment. What can you do to be eco-friendly?
Unfortunately, most toothbrushes available in stores are made of plastic, which has a negative impact on the environment. Dentists recommend replacing them at least every three months. It takes about 500 years for an average plastic toothbrush to decompose. This is a long time, especially since statistically each person uses around 300 toothbrushes in a lifetime. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t replace your toothbrush regularly. It’s best to stop using traditional toothbrushes and switch to other solutions in order to minimize the use of plastic.
The best solution to fight for the welfare of the planet is to use bamboo toothbrushes. Their shaft is fully made of a material that will easily decompose in the environment and won’t pose much of a threat to nature.
Additionally, bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants in the world. No fertilizers or pesticides are used to grow it. Each species of bamboo produces a great deal of oxygen, so it is extremely beneficial to the entire environment
Such toothbrushes are very aesthetically pleasing and minimalistic, which makes them a great fit for any bathroom. A big plus of this alternative version of the toothbrush is the price, as it is slightly different from the plastic one. Its cost is around 10-15 PLN per piece.
For those looking for 100% natural alternatives to regular toothbrushes, there are Miswak twigs, which have very similar effects and uses to traditional toothbrushes.
Different twigs are used mainly in poorer parts of Africa for maintaining proper oral hygiene. In Poland you can easily buy Miswak twigs in online stores. Their price is very attractive and does not differ much from traditional plastic toothbrushes. The price ranges from PLN 10 to even PLN 50 per unit.
For those who don’t like toothbrushes made of bamboo or Miswak twigs, switching from a regular toothbrush to an electric one may be a good idea. Although they use electricity, are made of plastic and have plastic tips, they are less harmful to the environment
This is largely because you use an electric or sonic toothbrush for many years, replacing only the tips, which are made of far less plastic than their traditional counterparts. One electric toothbrush tip is about half the size of a traditional toothbrush. For those who want to care about the environment, this is a bit of a compromise.
Unfortunately, if we as a society do not limit the production of plastic and harmful plastics, our planet may turn into one big landfill over time. Currently, there are already islands in the ocean created from the trash that people have thrown away
All this has a very negative impact on the whole environment and also on the cleanliness of the air. The living animals both land and sea are subjected to many hindrances due to the littering of the earth. This is why reducing plastic is so important.
In conclusion, using eco-friendly toothbrushes is a great solution in the fight against reducing plastic. Thanks to their affordability, they are available to everyone. Increasingly, they can be found in supermarkets or stationary drugstores, making them even more accessible. By minimizing the production of plastic waste, we have a real impact on improving the environment.
Main photo: Superkitina/unsplash.com
