Are bamboo toothbrushes vegan?
Yes – bamboo toothbrushes are vegan and vegetarian as long as they have nylon (and not hog hair) bristles.
Should I use a bamboo toothbrush as a vegan?
While plastic toothbrushes are not “unvegan”, bamboo toothbrushes are the best type of manual toothbrush when considering efficiency and the environment.
Electric toothbrushes are however proven to be better for plaque removal and gum health compared with manual toothbrushes. That being said, a manual toothbrush is perfectly fine when used with a good brushing technique. The advantage of a bamboo toothbrush is that it has a lower environmental impact compared to both a plastic manual toothbrush and an electric toothbrush.
If your dentist is generally happy with your brushing and you normally use a manual toothbrush then you could definitely make the easy swap to a bamboo toothbrush. Using a bamboo toothbrush with a good brushing technique will keep your teeth and gums healthy and help minimise your environmental impact.
If your dentist has recommended you use an electric toothbrush then your manual brushing technique might be not be good enough to maintain the health of your teeth and gums. You could stick with your electric toothbrush or research good manual brushing techniques. Consider discussing the switch with your dentist or dental hygienist and ask for a demonstration of a good manual brushing technique.
What to look for when choosing a bamboo toothbrush
You can find out what to look for when choosing a bamboo toothbrush by reading the Dental Choices guide on bamboo toothbrushes.
Should I use a fluoride toothpaste as a vegan?
Yes – read our post on vegan toothpaste to found out why, what to look for in a vegan toothpaste and which are the best vegan toothpastes in the UK.