Chewing sticks: timeless natural toothbrushes for oral cleansing

Abstract

It is generally accepted that oral hygiene maintenance through regular removal of dental plaque and food deposits is an essential factor in the prevention of dental caries and periodontal disease. Methods for oral hygiene vary from country to country and from culture to culture. Despite the widespread use of toothbrushes and toothpastes, natural methods of tooth cleaning using chewing sticks selected and prepared from the twigs, stems or roots from a variety of plant species have been practised for thousands of years in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas. Selected clinical studies have shown that chewing sticks, when properly used, can be as efficient as toothbrushes in removing dental plaque due to the combined effect of mechanical cleaning and enhanced salivation. It has also been suggested that antimicrobial substances that naturally protect plants against various invading microorganisms or other parasites may leach out into the oral cavity, and that these compounds may benefit the users by protection against cariogenic and periodontopathic bacteria. Some clinical epidemiological studies are in support of this, and many laboratory investigations have suggested the presence of heterogeneous antimicrobial components extractable using different chemical procedures. A few recent studies have identified some of the active antimicrobial compounds. Today, chewing sticks are still used in many developing countries because of religion and or tradition, and because of their availability, low cost and simplicity. The World Health Organization also encourages their use. The Year 2000 Consensus Report on Oral Hygiene states that chewing sticks may have a role to play in the promotion of oral hygiene, and that evaluation of their effectiveness warrants further research.

Anti-biofilm activity ofSalvadora persicaon cariogenic isolates ofStreptococcus mutans:in vitroand molecular docking studies

“…Instead, herbal chewing sticks taken from plants, shrubs, or trees with high antimicrobial activity (Hobbs 2008) are used for relieving dental problems. Several clinical studies confirmed that chewing sticks, if used appropriately, can be as efficient as toothbrushes in removing dental plaque due to the combined effect of mechanical cleaning, enhanced salivation and leaching-out of antimicrobial substances (Wu et al 2001). The relationship between the pathogenic state and the mode of growth of biofilms has been most clearly established with oral streptococci, which are known to initiate dental caries if they are living in the biofilm environment of dental plaque (Cvitkovitch et al 2003).…”

“…Prevention of dental caries can be achieved through maintaining oral hygiene by regular removal of food deposits and dental plaque, which is traditionally done by non-specific removal by mechanical means (Cowan 1999). Even though toothbrushes and toothpastes have found wide usage, natural methods of teeth-cleaning using chewing sticks selected and prepared from the twigs, stems, or roots from various plant species have been practiced for thousands of years in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas (Wu et al 2001). Chewing sticks come from different species of plants and, within one stick, the chemically active component may be heterogeneous (Cowan 1999).…”

Study of Effectiveness and Resistance of Various Toothpaste on Mouth Microbial Flora

“…The evolution of the modern tooth-brush has its origin in chewing sticks that were used by the Babylonians as early as 3500 BC (Wu CD et al 2001). The toothpaste containing Neem as well as fluoridated toothpaste were equally efficacious against caries-producing bacteria.…”

Herbal Endodontic Irrigants

“…34 It is widely distributed in Asia and Africa. 35 The main components are alkaloids like trimethylamine and salvadorine. Chlorides and fluorides are also present in high ratio.…”