As a whole, our society is focusing on being more environmentally conscious. For the first time in decades the ozone layer is shrinking and to me that’s proof , that we are slowly but surely doing something right.

As a dentist, I always like to find ways our profession can contribute to preserving the environment. Toothbrushes are a key goody bag product in our office and we order hundreds every few months for the office. The plastic they are made of fills landfills and takes years to degrade. I was curious to find and alternative material to help solve the problem with these plastic toothbrushes.

I stumbled upon a company out of Australia, which started mass producing bamboo toothbrushes. Invented by a Brisbane dentist, The Environmental Toothbrush is made from bamboo, a natural cellulose fibre, the handles are biodegradable, environmentally sustainable, and do not pollute the environment. The amazing growth and self-renewing ability of bamboo means that deforestation is not necessary either and their packaging is bio-degradable.

I have ordered a few for myself and the office and am pleased with the results. My teeth are happy and I feel good about my contribution to helping the environment. Similar brushes can be found in Whole Foods and natural markets as well!!!