We’ve been aware of the need to brush our teeth since we were young. And taking care of our mouths these days is a pleasure, with manufacturers vying with each other to offer toothbrushes, pastes, floss, and rinses. You can pick toothpaste by flavor and brushes by hardness.
Another thing many centuries ago: the range was much more modest. This chewing twig inhabitants of Babylon, bamboo sticks with bristles of a boar from the Chinese (by the way, it is them who are credited with the invention of a toothbrush in 1498), and dental “brooms” under Ivan the Terrible. But despite all the difficulties, everyone understood the importance of oral care, because as they say in the commercials: “fresh breath makes understanding easier.”
From sticks and twigs, evolution has led us to plastic
Plastic toothbrushes are good in many ways: practicality, durability, an abundance of colors and affordability. Knowing all these advantages, people prefer them: today more than 5 billion toothbrushes are used by the population of the world.
According to the advice of dentists, the brush should be replaced at least once every three months and we, of course, listen. This is certainly correct in terms of dentistry and hygiene. But from an environmental point of view? Most people don’t think about the fact that discarded toothbrushes are 5 million tons of plastic every year that piles up in landfills and will remain in its pristine form for decades to come. Using one plastic toothbrush for the rest of your life is not the answer. Going back to chew sticks isn’t either. The optimal solution is a brush made of an environmentally friendly material, bamboo.
In appearance, the brush is not much different from its plastic counterpart, but the benefits of using it are much more.
Of course, the first to think of using bamboo as the basis for a toothbrush were the Chinese, but this technology has been forgotten by us for centuries. Fortunately for nature and the ecology of our planet, in recent years the fashion for everything eco-friendly has been gaining popularity. Organic stores are opening everywhere, and major manufacturers are actively joining campaigns to protect the environment.
Two young students from India, Rohit Kumar and Rohit Sachdev, did not “stay away” either. Their common interests extended not only to their studies, but also to caring for the environment. As plastic is known to be one of the worst enemies of eco-systems, so the friends decided to stop using it. And it was not so easy, because even the simplest thing – a toothbrush – and that was made of ubiquitous plastic.
Why bamboo?
This plant is a symbol of friendship in India, longevity in China, the talisman of happiness in the Philippines, but the decision to choose it for toothbrushes was based primarily on environmental friendliness, as well as public availability. Bamboo fiber has antibacterial and hypoallergenic properties, so this brush is suitable even for people who suffer from allergies. The bristles are made of high-tech nylon and do not release toxic substances when decomposed. Bamboo toothbrush has pleased the consumer – over 50 000 copies were sold and the children’s version is pending.
The period of full decomposition takes no more than 3 years. The advantages of eco-friendly device include its cost.