TPU Rubber Toothbrushes Are Becoming the New Standard in Oral Care

Dentists have quietly started moving away from nylon toothbrushes, and here’s why.

New clinical findings are revealing something most people don’t realize or pay attention to:

The material your toothbrush is made from has more impact on the cleanliness of your teeth and the healthiness of your gums than what type of toothbrush you use - manual or electric, sonic. 

For more than 80 years, almost every toothbrush in the world has been made from the same material - nylon.

The entire toothbrush development has been focused on two aspects:

  • Making brushing more convenient for use → electric and sonic toothbrushes
  • Making brushing more pleasant → soft bristle toothbrushes

But why with all the development, does the gum disease rate in the population remain stagnant?

Image: Periodontitis, a severe gum infection, is now one of the six most common diseases in the world, affecting over 743 million people and milder forms of gum inflammation affect up to half of all adults worldwide.

Your gums are like a window into your overall health.
What begins as a little bleeding or sensitivity can quietly trigger inflammation throughout the entire body.

That’s why healthy gums aren’t just a cosmetic issue. They are a foundation for full-body wellness.

"Most people don’t realize is that gum disease doesn’t stop in the mouth." Dr. Andrew Huberman

What most people don’t realize is that gum disease doesn’t stop in the mouth.

Once gum tissue becomes inflamed, harmful bacteria can enter the bloodstream, and research now links that process to heart disease, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and even pregnancy complications.

Why Toothbrush Material Matters?

Image: The evolution of toothbrushes from 3000 BC to today

If you think about it, the toothbrush has evolved just like everything else in human history. Each stage tried to solve the problems of the one before it.

1. It started with chewing sticks.

Thousands of years ago, people chewed on twigs to clean their teeth. It worked a little, but not well. The sticks were rough, couldn’t reach between teeth, and often carried bacteria from the ground or tree bark.

2. Then came brushes made from boar bristles.

These were used in China and later in Europe. They were a step up, but still far from ideal. Boar hairs were stiff and uneven, which made them painful on the gums. They also absorbed moisture and stayed wet, becoming a perfect home for bacteria.

3. In the 1940s, nylon arrived.

Nylon seemed like the big breakthrough: cheap, easy to produce, and more consistent than animal hair. But over time, dentists started seeing new problems.The sharp, cut ends of nylon bristles caused tiny injuries in the gums and slowly wore away enamel. Nylon also holds moisture, which means it doesn’t dry properly and can trap food and bacteria.

4. The “solutions” that followed weren’t really solutions.

To fix the harshness of nylon, manufacturers started making softer bristles. But if people pressed even a little too hard, the soft nylon bent and frayed quickly, losing its cleaning power after just a few weeks.

Electric and sonic toothbrushes came next. They made brushing easier for some people, but the fast-moving nylon heads were often too abrasive for sensitive gums and enamel. For many, that meant gum recession and increased tooth sensitivity over time.

5. Now we’re entering a smarter era - The Pivot away from nylon

Modern brushes like those made from TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) finally address the core issue: the material itself.
TPU bristles are flexible but strong, smooth instead of sharp, and dry quickly without trapping bacteria. They clean effectively without scratching or irritating your gums.

It took centuries, but we’ve learned that the material of your toothbrush isn’t just a design choice, it’s what determines how clean, safe, and healthy your mouth really is.

The Science Behind the Shift

Recent research published in The Journal of Clinical and Experimental Dentistry compared traditional nylon-bristled toothbrushes with those made from thermoplastic elastomers (like TPU).

The results were clear:
TPU toothbrushes cleaned just as effectively as nylon or even better, but with less irritation to the gums and a lower bacterial load after repeated use.

In simpler terms:
they protect as well as they clean.

That’s because TPU is a smooth, flexible material that doesn’t shred or hold onto moisture.

Its rounded bristle tips gently polish the tooth surface instead of scratching it, while the wider spacing between bristles prevents plaque and bacteria from building up between brushings.

What About Silicone Toothbrushes?

Silicone brushes took the idea of “softer brushing” even further, but softness itself isn’t always better.
Silicone bristles are often too soft to effectively remove plaque, especially near the gumline.
They glide nicely, but they don’t clean deeply.

TPU, on the other hand, strikes the balance. It’s soft enough to be gentle, but strong enough to actually clean.

Why FRESH 32 Is the Next Step in Toothbrush Design?

While TPU is becoming the new standard, not all TPU toothbrushes are created equal.

FRESH 32 was designed with dentists to take every advantage of this modern material and make it even better.

Here’s why:

Its rounded bristle tips gently polish the tooth surface instead of scratching it, while the wider spacing between bristles prevents plaque and bacteria from building up between brushings.

Explore FRESH 32

Rounded bristle ends

Each bristle tip is polished to a smooth, rounded edge. It gently massages gums instead of scratching them.

3D Bristle Design

Bristles are arranged in a multi-level patter and longer ones reach the gumline, shorter ones polish the tooth surface. Together, they deliver an even, thorough clean.

Weighted ergonomic handle

A slightly heavier handle gives better control and reduces over-brushing pressure.

Recyclable heads

The handle is built to last; only the head is replaced. This reduces waste and keeps your brushing experience consistent.

The Future of Brushing

After centuries of trial and error, from twigs, to boar hair, to nylon we’ve finally reached a design that cleans effectively without harming what it’s meant to protect.

FRESH 32 is part of this new generation of oral care: a smarter, safer toothbrush that combines scientific innovation, sustainable design, and dental expertise in every detail.

Because real progress in dental care doesn’t happen when we brush harder or faster.

It happens when we brush smarter and with better materials.

Explore FRESH 32