Like clockwork we brush our teeth each and every morning and evening. When we brush our teeth there are many factors we consider. First we want a clean, shining, and sparkling smile that we can share with everyone. We do not want to feel like we have to hide our smiles. Second, we want to have the peace of mind that comes when we go to our dentists for a check up and get a clean bill of heath.
In truth the products we use each day for our teeth can have a major impact on the environment. It all comes down to what type of products we use and what those products are made of. For example traditional toothbrushes use plastic handles which we know only ends up polluting our oceans, landfills, and communities. Over 8 million metric tons of plastics enter our ocean on top of the estimated 150 million metric tons that currently circulate our marine environments so finding more eco-friendly toothbrushes made up of materials other than plastic is a priority. There are several different plastic free options on the market.
One alternative to traditional plastic toothbrushes which is becoming more and more common and available in more and more stores are bamboo toothbrushes. These toothbrushes like the name says use bamboo instead of plastic for their handles. Bamboo is a plant which can be turned into a wide range of products from toothbrushes, to sheets, to pillows to cutlery, and beyond. So one of our first questions might be are bamboo toothbrushes really environmentally friendly? Will switching to a bamboo toothbrush really make a difference? The answer to both questions is yes.
Bamboo is an amazing plant which can grow before our eyes. Bamboo has been clocked at growing at up to 3 feet per day. Yes, that is not a typo 3 feet per day. This means that bamboo is a renewable resource which can be harvested again and again. This is very different from plastic which comes from oil which is the byproduct of ancient organisms and in such a limited resource that we will someday run out of it completely. So first of all bamboo is environmentally friendly because it is a renewable resource.
In addition bamboo is a self-sufficient crop that needs no irrigation and uses water much more efficiently than many other plants including trees. While water might be something that many of us take for granted in truth 780 million people do not have access to a clean water source. This means we all need to work to make sure we use water as effectively as we can so we are not leading to regional droughts and other widespread environmental issues on a global scale. The process of making plastic needs a lot of water. In addition this process leads to the creation of many chemicals which sometimes leak and end up in our waterways and even our water tables. So the second reason bamboo is environmentally friendly is because it uses water effectively and its creation does not lead to chemicals that pollute our water.
Bamboo is also naturally resistant to insects, and highly efficient in replenishing itself which means it can be grown without any pesticides or fertilizers. Why is this such an important fact? It turns out that over 1 billion pounds of pesticides are used in the United State each year and approximately 5.6 billion pounds are used globally. Pesticides are one of the reasons that the bee population has been decreasing sharply. Pesticides negatively affect us all and can cause a wide range of health issues and concerns. Pesticides also pollute our lands, waterways, and wider communities. Pesticides also can lead to farmer dependence on such products which economically harms them. For all these reasons bamboo is environmentally friendly because it can grow without the need for such pesticides.
When choosing the toothbrush we use each and every day we should consider environmental friendly bamboo toothbrushes. A traditional plastic toothbrush can have multiple negative effects on the environment. Bamboo toothbrushes on the other hand are sourced from an efficient & renewable resource. They also help protect our water supplies. And bamboo grows without harmful pesticides and fertilizers. Anyway you brush it, bamboo toothbrushes are environmentally friendly. So wake up and fall asleep with confidence that the toothbrush you are using to keep your teeth in great condition is one part of your environmentally friendly lifestyle. That is sure to bring a smile to your face.
Seek Bamboo offers a variety of fun colored & soft bristles when selecting a bamboo toothbrush and there is even a charcoal toothbrush option. If you have never tried a charcoal toothbrush check out a quick read on charcoal toothbrush benefits. It is important to understand that a bamboo toothbrush will work just as well as the plastic one, but without the environmental impact. There are many reasons to make the switch today!
