Short answer: yes. A bamboo toothbrush cleans your teeth as well as a plastic one, because the cleaning is done by the bristles and your brushing, not the handle. What changes is what the brush is made of, and how you look after it.
The handle doesn't clean your teeth, the bristles do
Whether the handle is plastic or bamboo makes no difference to plaque removal. What matters is:
- Bristle softness. Most dental associations recommend a soft brush and gentle technique, because hard scrubbing can wear enamel and irritate gums.
- Technique and time. Two minutes, twice a day, angled towards the gum line.
- Replacement. Swap your brush about every 3 months, or sooner if the bristles splay.
Not all bamboo toothbrushes are the same
Most bamboo toothbrushes sold in Australia have a bamboo handle with nylon bristles, so they're still part plastic, even when the box says "bamboo bristles". Our guide to what "bamboo bristles" really are explains how to read the label. If you want to avoid plastic bristles too, look for natural bristles:
- Horse hair: soft and gentle, the closest match to the soft brushes dentists usually recommend.
- Boar bristle: firmer, around a medium, for people who prefer a stronger scrub.
We compare the two in detail in Boar bristle vs horse hair: which should you choose?
Looking after a bamboo toothbrush
Bamboo and natural bristles are natural materials, so they need to dry between uses, just like a wooden spoon.
- Rinse well and shake off the water after brushing.
- Stand it upright somewhere with airflow. A brush with a wide base, like ours, stands on its own.
- Don't leave it lying in water, in a closed cup or in a sealed travel case while wet.
- Some darkening of the bamboo over time is normal.
Look after it this way and a bamboo brush stays fresh for its full 3 months.
Are bamboo toothbrushes better for the environment?
Bamboo grows quickly and regrows from its roots after harvest, and a bamboo handle can be composted at the end of its life. Plastic handles can't. If the bristles are natural too, almost the whole brush can go in the compost. Pull the tufts out first: some brushes use small metal staples, which go in the general bin. Check what your council's green-waste bin accepts.
Who might not suit a bamboo toothbrush?
- Vegans: natural bristles come from animals. A bamboo brush with plant-based or nylon bristles is the alternative.
- Anyone with gum disease or very sensitive teeth: ask your dentist which bristle firmness suits you.
- People who store their brush wet, such as in a travel case all day: natural materials need air to dry.
The bottom line
A bamboo toothbrush is as good for your teeth as a plastic one. Pick the softness that suits your gums, let it dry between uses and replace it every 3 months. Shop Bambusa natural-bristle bamboo toothbrushes, shipped Australia-wide.