It is no secret that manual plastic toothbrushes contribute to the pollution of our environment. You want to do something to reduce the amount of plastic waste. Do you want to do away with plastic once and for all? Do you want to do something for the planet? Opt for an ecological toothbrush that is "zero waste" and most of the time made in France. It is a good alternative to using a plastic toothbrush that is particularly polluting. In addition, having a suitable ecological toothbrush will allow you to maintain good oral hygiene and good health in general.
Here's a guide to the features and tips for using an eco-friendly toothbrush to get you excited about choosing one.
What is an ecological toothbrush?
The ecological toothbrush is also called "natural toothbrush". This is because they have a handle made from natural materials such as wood, wood or recycled plastic. They usually have a refillable head which means that you only have to throw away the bristles once the toothbrush starts to wear out. In addition, the natural bristles are softer than the synthetic bristles of plastic toothbrushes. In addition, the handle can be reused many times, which means that it can be used for a long time. It is also important to know that an "eco" toothbrush is packaged in minimal packaging and is made in France. Its use therefore considerably reduces waste in the bathroom.
The ecological toothbrush for both adults and children
It is true that some dental care is only recommended for adults. However, the use of the ecological toothbrush is not only reserved for adults. There are models that have been specially made for children. They are usually much lighter and have an ergonomic shape to make them easier to hold.
Here are the different characteristics of the adult toothbrush and the children's toothbrush:
Adult toothbrushes
- The hardness of the bristles of adult toothbrushes: there is a choice between extra soft, soft or medium
- The particularity of being refillable
Toothbrushes for children
- The size of the handle is reduced: more suitable for children's hands
- Soft bristles: this hardness is better suited to the young teeth and fragile gums that children have
The characteristics of the different materials of an ecological toothbrush
An ecological toothbrush is made from natural and biodegradable materials such as wood or bamboo. As far as the wooden handle is concerned, it generally comes from sustainably managed forests. It is easily identifiable thanks to the FSC and PEFC labels. It is also of French origin. Bamboo, on the other hand, is a plant found in abundance in China and elsewhere. It does not contain anti-microbial agents. Its cultivation does not require the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers.
Here are the different types of materials of the ecological toothbrush:
The bamboo eco toothbrush
This bamboo toothbrush is made from organic materials that are biodegradable and 100% recyclable. It has a bamboo handle. Indeed, it is the most used material in the manufacturing of toothbrushes. It does not need any treatment. Moreover, its main advantages are: antibacterial, healthy and durable. In addition, the bristles are very soft and made of recyclable nylon. They become softer and softer with each use. Some models even have black bristles that have been infused with natural charcoal. This can break up plaque while removing toxins. The life span of this toothbrush is similar to that of a plastic toothbrush. It is 3 months but the toothbrush can be recycled.
The ecological beechwood toothbrush
This beechwood toothbrush is made from biodegradable organic materials and is 100% recyclable. It has a compostable beechwood handle. It is made from French sustainably managed forests. It is one of the types of wood authorised for oral hygiene products. Indeed, it is a wood that has the advantage of being resistant to bending without being brittle. It is therefore particularly pleasant to use. The shape of this toothbrush has been worked on to make it as ergonomic as possible and the angles have been softened. It is also recommended for people with sensitive gums, as the head has been refined to reach even the most difficult areas of the mouth. The single bristles are made of badger hair for medium or hog bristle for soft ones.
The ecological oak wood toothbrush
This oak wood toothbrush is made from organic materials that are biodegradable and 100% recyclable. The handle is made exclusively of oak wood. It is particularly robust and therefore resistant to the slightest impact. It also offers good durability to the toothbrush. The upper part of the handle is made of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene and is particularly water resistant. This material is also particularly attractive. It has an attractive light brown colour that can be slightly yellow. It does not get damaged no matter how often you use it. Moreover, the interchangeable head can be changed as many times as necessary but every 3 months. It is also important to know that the bristles of the toothbrush are made of nylon which allows for a gentle toothbrushing.
There are a number of brands offering a quality eco-friendly toothbrush
Bioseptyl
The Bioseptyl toothbrush is made of French beech wood from sustainably managed forests. Its handle is made of wood. It does not contain any harmful substances such as phthalates, bisphenol A, PVC or Latex. The filaments of the toothbrush are vegetable based. The slimmed down head allows to reach all areas of the teeth. In addition, it is compostable once the brush head has been cut off. It can also be deposited in organic shops or returned to Bioseptyl. Alternatively, the wood can be crushed and used to feed bees.
Hydrophil
The Hydrophyl toothbrush is a 100% vegan toothbrush with a bamboo handle and nylon bristles. It is 96% biodegradable. Simply break it off just below the head to recycle it. It is certified cruelty-free by PETA. It is also a toothbrush that requires less water to wash. It gently and effectively cleans teeth and gums. Its bristles are made of classic nylon without BPA which causes high blood pressure. It is also recommended to replace it every 2 to 3 months once it is used.
Lamazuna
The Lamazuna toothbrush is made from castor oil and plastic. It is made of 70% castor oil, which is a plant that absorbs carbon, and 30% plastic so that it can withstand the humidity of the bathroom and the shock of brushing. It has a lifetime reusable handle. In addition, the refillable heads can be changed and returned every 3 months. It is solid, which makes it easy to change the brush head. There are two types of bristles depending on your dental sensitivity: soft or medium.
Caliquo
The Caliquo toothbrush is made of oak wood or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. These are particularly soft materials. It is also designed without silicones or polymers and without Phenoxyethanol. The nylon bristles are either soft (18/100) or medium (20/100). The nylon handle is guaranteed for life. Caliquo refills are made of soft or medium bristles, which means that your ecological footprint is reduced by a factor of eight. In addition, the head attachment system is secure so that the head does not separate from the handle during brushing.
The perfect combo: a toothpaste without harmful ingredients
In order to be ethical and healthy, it is important to select a natural toothpaste that does not contain substances that are harmful to the body and to the planet. Indeed, the toxic substances in traditional toothpastes pollute the water when they are discharged.
The main substances to avoid in toothpaste are
- Titanium dioxide
- Sulphates
- Triclosan
- Plastic microparticles
To complete the use of an ecological toothbrush, you can opt for the new Y-Brush dental floss with its handle made of biosourced and biodegradable vegetable plastic (from resources such as corn or sugar cane)
We hope that this guide has helped you to understand the different characteristics of the ecological toothbrush and the advice on how to use it so that you can make the best use of it. It is advisable to use it in the short term as it is slightly less effective than an electric toothbrush. Its use also depends primarily on your particular brushing needs.
