IMPROVE YOUR DENTAL HEALTH AND SAVE THE PLANET ONE BRUSH AT A TIME
                     IMPROVE YOUR DENTAL 
HEALTH AND SAVE THE 
PLANET ONE BRUSH AT 
A TIME
h tt p s : / / i n t e g r i t y d e n t a l . c o m . a u /
One Brush at a Time: Dental health and saving the planet are not at face value. However, the picture 
changes somewhat when you realize that Australia throws away a staggering 
30 million toothbrushes each year. In terms of plastics, that’s 600,000kg of plastic consigned to 
landfills. And as we all know, plastic never truly decomposes. It just separates into mico-pieces that 
contaminate the environment. In other words, every single toothbrush made since the 1930s is still 
living on as a contaminant. So the question is, how can we maintain our dental health whilst still 
doing our bit for Mother Earth?
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I CHANGE 
MY TOOTHBRUSH?
Most dentists will recommend that it’s optimal for your dental health to change your toothbrush 
once every three months. The wear and tear they are subject to daily cause the bristles to break 
down and become less effective at eradicating plaque from teeth and gums, which in the worst-case 
scenario could lead to gingivitis. Additionally, fungus and bacteria can accumulate in the bristles if 
not rinsed properly. Always store the brush upright, and ensure it is uncovered. And remember, 
after a cold or any other infection, it’s wise to replace your toothbrush because the germs can hide 
in the bristles and put you at risk of reinfection.
WHAT SOLUTION WORKS BEST 
FOR MY DENTAL HEALTH AND THE 
PLANET?
Plastic is the most common material that toothbrushes are made out of. Yet the tide is turning and 
there are a growing number of solutions that work best for your dental health and the planet. More 
and more brands are manufacturing toothbrushes made out of bamboo, which degrades far quicker 
than plastic if placed in a landfill, and if you remove the bristles first, it can also be composted. Bio-
based plastic toothbrushes are another viable option.
MOVING TOWARD A PLASTIC-
FREE DENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM
At Integrity Dental, we are committed to your dental health and that of the planet. Before the 
invention of plastic, toothbrushes were made from natural materials for centuries. The toothbrush 
is one of the world’s greatest inventions. Toothbrushes, the planet, and your dental health deserve a 
plastic-free future.
     
  
Integrity Dental
Angelica Astrom
(02) 9651 4488
[email protected]
https://integritydental.com.au/