A Harsh Reality: This Toothbrush Isn't for Soft-Bristle Fans
I'm super particular about my toothbrush, so I switch mine out not every three months like most people, but more like whenever it starts to show wear and tear. I've been using soft-bristled toothbrushes, so mine tends to get used up pretty quickly.
When I was at the Magnit hypermarket, I was on the hunt for a new toothbrush. I was about to grab my usual brand, but then I spotted the Smile Care Eco Bamboo toothbrush with a wheat straw handle and bamboo charcoal bristles. It was only 99 rubles, which is a steal if you ask me. I checked out the reviews on Yandex Market, and they were all overwhelmingly positive. I mean, I'd even read some of them before, so I didn't hesitate to grab it.
Smile Care Eco Bamboo Toothbrush with Wheat Straw Handle and Bamboo Charcoal Bristles
Key Details:
Product Name: Smile Care Eco Bamboo Toothbrush with Wheat Straw Handle and Bamboo Charcoal Bristles
Country of Origin: China
Shelf Life: Unlimited
Price: 99 rubles
Where to Buy: Local stores
The toothbrush comes in a clear plastic case attached to a paper backing.
Smile Care Eco Bamboo Toothbrush with Wheat Straw Handle and Bamboo Charcoal Bristles
The packaging has a ton of information about the toothbrush in Russian, including its name, description, ingredients, manufacturer's data, and bristle hardness level.
Toothbrush Information on Packaging
The toothbrush has an unlimited shelf life until you start using it. The manufacturer recommends replacing it every month, but I think it's when it can no longer do its job properly.
Smile Care Eco Bamboo Toothbrush with Wheat Straw Handle and Bamboo Charcoal Bristles
While the handle is partially made from eco-friendly wheat straw, it's not 100% eco-friendly - it's still got some plastic mixed in. The bristles are nylon with bamboo charcoal.
I'm not sure if calling it an 'eco' toothbrush is entirely accurate, given the materials used.
I've got the green version, but you can choose from five different colors if you prefer.
I was really excited to try the Smile Care Eco Bamboo toothbrush with a wheat handle and a bamboo bristle head.
On the handle, there's a silver label with the brand name.
Smile Care Eco Bamboo toothbrush with a wheat handle and a bamboo bristle head
The outside of the handle is smooth, with a small indentation in the middle. The head of the toothbrush doesn't have any bumps for cleaning your tongue.
Smile Care Eco Bamboo toothbrush with a wheat handle and a bamboo bristle head
The handle feels nice to the touch, it's a matte finish, but it's comfortable to hold and doesn't slip out of your hand, even when it's wet.
Smile Care Eco Bamboo toothbrush with a wheat handle and a bamboo bristle head
For extra comfort, they've included a small recessed area in the middle of the handle for your thumb.
Smile Care Eco Bamboo toothbrush with a wheat handle and a bamboo bristle head
The bristles are black, pointed, but the cut is a bit uneven, and you can see some of the untrimmed bristles that might scratch your teeth while brushing.
Smile Care Eco Bamboo toothbrush with a wheat handle and a bamboo bristle head
I was a bit skeptical about the medium stiffness of this toothbrush, as I usually use soft ones, but I decided to give it a try since many reviewers mentioned that it's gentle on gums despite being medium-stiff. Plus, the bristles look similar to my soft toothbrush, which sealed the deal for me - I thought it would be even better at removing plaque.
Unevenly cut bristles
The shape of the cleaning head is perfect - it's not too small or too narrow, and it's rounded, so it feels comfortable while brushing your teeth.
Smile Care Eco Bamboo toothbrush with a wheat handle and a bamboo bristle head
Toothpaste stays on the surface of the bristles, it doesn't sink in.
Bamboo Toothbrush with Wheat Handle and Charcoal Bristles from Smile Care Eco
I gave the toothbrush a good wash before using it for the first time.
At first, the bristles felt soft to the touch, and when I ran my finger over them, they felt springy and didn't scratch my skin.
But when I started brushing my teeth, I realized just how stiff the bristles were.
The toothbrush did a great job of removing plaque, but it was a bit too aggressive - after the first use, all the buildup was gone, but I ended up scraping my gums too.
I thought maybe the bristles were just stiff because they were new and needed to break in, but after a second use, they were still pretty harsh, and I ended up scraping my gums even more.
The next morning, I tried using it again, but I quickly realized I'd be left with no gums left - so I tossed it and went to get a different toothbrush.
The Smile Care Eco Bamboo Toothbrush with a wheat handle and charcoal bristles might be okay for people who're used to stiff or medium-bristled toothbrushes.
But for those of us who use soft toothbrushes all the time, it's not a good fit. It does a great job of removing plaque, it's affordable, lightweight, and looks nice, but it's not worth the risk of scraping your gums - I ended up with sore gums for a week.
I ended up replacing it with the Biomed Pink Salt toothbrush, and the difference was noticeable right away - my gums finally started to calm down.
Despite all the positive reviews for the Smile Care Eco Bamboo Toothbrush, I wouldn't recommend it - especially for people with sensitive teeth and gums, as it can be a bit too harsh.
Thanks for reading my review!