Natural vs Nylon Toothbrush Bristles: What’s the Difference - and Should I Worry About Microplastics?
Quick answerMost toothbrush bristles are made from nylon, which is plastic. Natural bristles made from boar or horse hair avoid that plastic completely, are biodegradable, and don’t create the same source of microplastic shedding as synthetic bristles. Nylon can be made very soft, consistent and colourful, but if your aim is to get plastic out of your toothbrush, natural bristles are the better fit.
Recent research has confirmed that plastic toothbrush bristles can shed microplastic particles during brushing. What we don’t yet know is whether the amount released during normal brushing is enough to harm human health. But if a natural bristle can do the job without using plastic in the first place, that’s reason enough for me to prefer it.
Most toothbrush bristles are plastic
Most modern toothbrushes, including many bamboo toothbrushes, use nylon bristles. Replacing a plastic handle with bamboo removes most of the plastic from the toothbrush, but if the bristles are nylon, the brush is not completely plastic-free.
Some nylon bristles are described as plant-based or bio-based. We use both nylon 610 and nylon 1010 in some of our range because they use raw materials derived partly or substantially from castor plants rather than relying entirely on fossil-derived feedstocks. That improves where the raw material comes from, but plant-based nylon is still nylon, still plastic and not biodegradable.
Nylon does have useful properties. It can be made soft or medium, tapered very finely, coloured, and produced very consistently. But it is no longer the only practical option.
Why I prefer natural bristles
The main reason is straightforward: they aren’t plastic. Boar and horse hair are natural fibres and the hair itself is biodegradable. They also let us make a bamboo toothbrush where both the handle and bristles are free from plastic, which is much closer to what many people expect when they choose a bamboo toothbrush in the first place.
Natural bristles do feel a little different. They have more texture and natural variation because they’re not engineered to be identical. Some people prefer that more traditional brushing feel, while others are used to the very smooth feel of nylon.
Boar hair or horse hair?
Boar hair is firmer and more textured, giving a more substantial brushing feel. Horse hair is finer and softer, making it a gentler natural option for people who want to avoid nylon but find boar hair too firm. Our horse-hair bristles come as replacement heads for sonic electric toothbrushes - see our sonic toothbrush guide to check which brushes they fit.
Because both are natural materials, there will be more variation in texture, thickness and appearance than with manufactured nylon. Neither is vegan, so plastic remains the option for people who want a vegan toothbrush.
What about microplastics from nylon bristles?
Toothbrush bristles are rubbed against teeth twice a day, usually with toothpaste, and they gradually wear. Recent research has shown that plastic toothbrushes can release microplastic particles during brushing.
A 2025 study looking at toothbrushes and toothpastes detected microplastics released from toothbrushes during simulated use, including very small particles. Importantly, the researchers concluded that exposure from the oral-care products they studied did not directly contribute to the health risks associated with microplastic exposure in that population. Other sources were far more common, including indoor air, drinking water, food and beverages, and household dust.
So I don’t think the evidence supports frightening people into believing nylon toothbrush bristles are a major health hazard. What it does show is that plastic bristles can shed microplastics, while natural bristles avoid that source altogether. Some of those particles may be swallowed during brushing, although exactly how much is difficult to quantify. Most toothpaste, saliva and brushing debris is spat out, so exposure from brushing is likely to be only part of our overall microplastic exposure.
Are natural bristles hygienic?
There is a common assumption that animal hair must be less hygienic than nylon because it is natural, but research comparing bacterial survival on different bristle materials, including nylon and boar bristle, has not shown natural boar bristles to be inherently unhygienic.
What matters more is how the toothbrush is looked after. After use, rinse it thoroughly, shake or tap off excess water and let it dry properly in a ventilated place. Don’t leave it standing in water at the bottom of a cup or sealed up while still damp.
We recommend replacing our natural-bristle toothbrushes at around six to eight weeks, compared with around three months for our nylon brushes.
Do natural bristles clean as well as nylon?
There isn’t a large modern body of research comparing today’s natural-bristle toothbrushes with modern nylon brushes. Brush design, bristle firmness, head size and shape, and brushing technique all affect cleaning.
Nylon filaments can be made extremely uniform and tapered very precisely. Research has found that tapered bristles can provide a better clean around the gum line and between teeth.
Natural hair behaves differently. It has natural variation in diameter, texture and shape. Boar hair is firmer and more textured, while horse hair is finer and softer. The choice comes down largely to the feel you prefer and whether avoiding plastic bristles matters to you.
Natural bristles are biodegradable
Nylon bristles do not biodegrade, whether they are made from conventional fossil-derived materials or partly from plant-derived feedstocks. Boar and horse hair are natural proteins and will biodegrade under suitable conditions.
Our natural-bristle toothbrushes still contain small metal staples that hold the tufts into the bamboo head, while the two main materials - the bamboo handle and natural bristles, are biodegradable.
What about BPA and PFAS?
BPA and PFAS are concerns people increasingly associate with plastic products. Our nylon bristles are manufactured without BPA, and independent laboratory testing for 74 different PFAS compounds confirmed our bristles were PFAS-free.
So the reason I prefer natural bristles isn’t because our nylon bristles contain BPA or PFAS. They don’t. It’s simply that nylon is plastic and natural hair isn’t.
So which would I choose?
If reducing plastic is the priority, I would choose natural bristles. Boar hair gives a firmer, more textured brush, while horse hair gives a softer natural alternative. Both allow us to make a toothbrush without nylon bristles, and both are biodegradable.
If you’re squeamish about natural animal bristles in your mouth, please know they’re thoroughly sterilised, perform very similarly to what you’re used to, and you’ll probably be surprised how quickly you get used to them. Give them a go.
Frequently asked questions
Are nylon toothbrush bristles plastic?
Yes. Nylon is a synthetic polymer and therefore a plastic. That remains true when some or all of the raw material used to manufacture it comes from plants.
Do nylon toothbrush bristles shed microplastics?
Yes. Recent research has measured microplastic particles released from toothbrushes during simulated brushing and wear.
Does that mean nylon toothbrushes are dangerous?
There’s no good evidence showing that normal use of a nylon toothbrush causes disease. What we can say is that nylon is plastic and plastic bristles can shed particles during use.
Why choose natural bristles?
They avoid plastic in the bristles altogether, are biodegradable, and don’t create the same source of synthetic microplastic shedding.
Which is softer - boar or horse hair?
Horse hair is the softer natural option in our range. Boar hair is firmer and more textured.
Are natural bristles hygienic?
Yes, provided they are rinsed and dried properly. Research has not shown natural boar bristles to be inherently less hygienic than nylon.
Are natural bristles vegan?
No. Boar and horse hair are animal-derived.
Are plant-based nylon bristles biodegradable?
No. Plant-based describes where some or all of the raw material comes from. The finished bristle is still nylon.
How often should I replace a natural-bristle toothbrush?
We recommend around six to eight weeks for our natural-bristle brushes, compared with around three months for nylon.
Which natural bristle is best for children?
Horse hair is the softer natural option, so it is the one I would lean towards for children who are comfortable using an animal-hair toothbrush. As with any children’s toothbrush, the head should be appropriately small and brushing should be gentle.
The Turtle Tribe was founded in 2018 by Ned Heaton, who was 11 at the time, after becoming concerned about plastic pollution and looking for simple ways people could use less plastic. Since then, we’ve supplied more than 550,000 bamboo toothbrushes as alternatives to conventional plastic-handled brushes. We also work with schools through our school fundraising program, with aged care homes, and with businesses through our wholesale range.
One toothbrush swap isn’t going to solve plastic pollution. But toothbrushes are something most of us use throughout our lives, which makes them a practical place to reduce unnecessary plastic.