What to look for
- Soft bristles that your dentist is happy with.
- Handles that stay dry between uses.
- Refillable glass or metal containers for floss.
What to avoid
- Medical or whitening claims. Ask your dentist when in doubt.
- Buying a large pack before trying one.
Editor's pick
Feel Natural
Feel Natural Refillable Toothbrush, Bamboo and Aluminium Handle
bamboo
Why it is on the list: A screw-in head design lets you keep the bamboo and aluminium handle and replace only the head, cutting the amount discarded each time.
Watch out for: Castor-oil-based filaments are a bio-based polymer rather than a natural fibre, and replacement heads must be bought separately.
Price and stock are shown on Amazon.
Quick comparison
| Product | Material | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feel Natural Refillable Toothbrush, Bamboo and Aluminium HandleFeel Natural | bamboo | Keeping the handle and replacing only the head | Castor-oil-based filaments are a bio-based polymer rather than a natural fibre, and replacement heads must be bought separately. |
| PRIMALS Bamboo Toothbrush with Boar Bristles, 4-PackPRIMALS | bamboo | Plastic-free bristles | Boar bristles are animal-derived, so this is not suitable for vegans, and they feel different from nylon bristles. |
| Gaia Guy Bamboo Toothbrush with Soft Horsehair Bristles, 6-PackGaia Guy | bamboo | Sensitive gums and nylon-free brushing | Horsehair is animal-derived, so this is not a vegan option, and natural bristles feel different from nylon. |
| Hydrophil Bamboo Toothbrush, Medium-Soft, 4-PackHydrophil | bamboo | Everyday swap from a plastic handle | The listing does not name the bristle material, so do not assume the bristles are plastic-free. |
| Colgate Bamboo Charcoal Toothbrush, SoftColgate | bamboo | Buying a familiar brand with a bamboo handle | The listing itself says to put the brush head in the bin and compost only the handle, so the bristles are not a plastic-free part. |
| Smyle Fluoride Toothpaste Tablets Starter Kit, 125 Tabs with Glass JarSmyle | glass | Replacing toothpaste tubes | Tablets are chewed and foam less than paste, which takes getting used to, and glass jars can break when travelling. |
| Respire Toothpaste Tablets in Refillable Aluminium Tin, 60 pcsRespire | metal | Travel and carry-on toothpaste | Refills are sold separately and the tin is aluminium, so it still has to be recycled properly at end of life. |
| Waxed Vegan Dental Floss in Refillable Glass Jar, 2 x 30 mZahnseidenkampagne | glass | Refillable floss in a glass jar | The specification lists polyester (and in this variant plastic) as a floss material, so despite the 'plastic-free' wording the thread itself is not a pure natural fibre. |
| Nature Nerds Silk Floss in Glass Jar, Candelilla-Waxed, 6 x 30 mNature Nerds | glass | Plastic-free floss for people who accept silk | The listing itself warns silk is less smooth and strong than plastic floss, and silk is animal-derived, so it is not vegan. |
| qikfresh Stainless Steel Tongue Scrapers, 2-Pack with Cotton Pouchqikfresh | stainless steel | A durable, dishwasher-safe tongue cleaner | Metal edges are firmer than plastic scrapers, so they need gentle pressure on the tongue. |
| Humble Bamboo Interdental Brushes, Size 2 (0.50 mm), 4 x 6 pcsThe Humble Co. | bamboo | A bamboo-handle interdental brush | The listing does not state the bristle or wire material, and interdental brush heads normally contain synthetic filament, so only the handle should be assumed plastic-free. |
Our shortlist
PRIMALS
PRIMALS Bamboo Toothbrush with Boar Bristles, 4-Pack
bambooplastic toothbrushes
Best for: Plastic-free bristles
Gaia Guy
Gaia Guy Bamboo Toothbrush with Soft Horsehair Bristles, 6-Pack
bambooplastic toothbrushes
Best for: Sensitive gums and nylon-free brushing
Hydrophil
Hydrophil Bamboo Toothbrush, Medium-Soft, 4-Pack
bambooplastic toothbrushes
Best for: Everyday swap from a plastic handle
Colgate
Colgate Bamboo Charcoal Toothbrush, Soft
bambooplastic toothbrushes
Best for: Buying a familiar brand with a bamboo handle
Smyle
Smyle Fluoride Toothpaste Tablets Starter Kit, 125 Tabs with Glass Jar
glasspersonal care bottles
Best for: Replacing toothpaste tubes
Respire
Respire Toothpaste Tablets in Refillable Aluminium Tin, 60 pcs
metalpersonal care bottles
Best for: Travel and carry-on toothpaste
Zahnseidenkampagne
Waxed Vegan Dental Floss in Refillable Glass Jar, 2 x 30 m
glassplastic floss
Best for: Refillable floss in a glass jar
Nature Nerds
Nature Nerds Silk Floss in Glass Jar, Candelilla-Waxed, 6 x 30 m
glassplastic floss
Best for: Plastic-free floss for people who accept silk
qikfresh
qikfresh Stainless Steel Tongue Scrapers, 2-Pack with Cotton Pouch
stainless steelplastic toothbrushes
Best for: A durable, dishwasher-safe tongue cleaner
The Humble Co.
Humble Bamboo Interdental Brushes, Size 2 (0.50 mm), 4 x 6 pcs
bambooplastic toothbrushes
Best for: A bamboo-handle interdental brush
We have not physically tested these products. Our shortlist is research-based: we check what the listing says, favour non-plastic main materials and name the limits we can see. Always read the listing for sizes, certifications and care instructions.
Common questions
Are the bristles of bamboo toothbrushes plastic?
Usually yes: nylon is most common. Some listings mention other fibres. Read the listing.
Do toothpaste tablets contain fluoride?
Some do and some do not. Check the ingredients if fluoride matters to you.