Unlike the generation of our parents or grandparents who were only accustomed to the chewing stick, the average 30-year-old may not have seen chewing stick in close range, much less use it.
Yet, there are various trees whose tender or dried stems, twigs or roots are usually cut into smaller pieces that could be used to effectively clean the teeth, even better than the toothbrush-toothpaste combo, or mouthwash for that matter.
Scientists say chewing sticks reportedly contain antimicrobial substances that could benefit oral hygiene when used properly and consistently.
Bacteria in the mouth
In general, the mouth harbours a huge number of bacteria, some of which are beneficial to our health, as they help us in fighting diseases and infections. But others are plainly harmful.
Indeed, scientists drawn from the Forsyth Institute, University of Oslo, Norway, and the Harvard School of Dental Medicine in Boston, discovered that more than 700 bacterial species are detectable in the average mouth.
“In general, the commonest bacteria in the mouth include Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus,” says a Professor of Conservation Dentistry at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Oluniyi Olusile.
While he notes that ordinarily, these bacteria don’t pose a threat to health, he warns that they could pose serious dangers in the mouths of those whose immune system has been compromised, such as people living with HIV/AIDS, or those who have had organ transplantation.
Another bacterium that could be found in the human mouth is Streptococcus. Olusile notes that while several strains of this bacterium reside in the mouth, a particular strain known as Streptococcus mutans can cause mouth infections or oral cavities.
“This is because these bacteria are capable of transforming sugar into lactic acid, which usually dissolves tooth enamel.
“The same thing goes for another bacterium strain called Lactobacillus, which changes lactose into lactic acid and is capable of creating cavities and tooth decay.”
Olusile adds that though E. Coli typically resides in the intestines, a small number of the germ could be found in the mouth, where it could cause diseases and infections.
Take charge of your mouth
The presence of these disease-causing bacteria in the mouth is the main reason why you need to take your dental health seriously. And one of the ways is to clean your mouth daily.
Apart from using toothbrush and toothpaste to clean your mouth, experts say chewing the twig of neem, licorice, lime or orange trees could give your mouth the necessary protection from bacteria and tooth decay.
For one, ethno-botanists say, the fact that you need to chew the twig to a fine consistency exercises the jaws and the teeth; while the anti-bacterial foaming properties do a good job of ridding the teeth of plaque.
In terms of economy, using the chewing stick can save you money because its strong antibacterial properties and perpendicular bristles are a combination of natural toothbrush, toothpaste and floss all rolled into one.
A research published in the Journal of Family Practice states that some African chewing sticks contain fluoride ions, silicon, tannic acid, sodium bicarbonate and other natural plaque-inhibiting substances that can reduce bacterial colonisation and plaque formation.
A Professor of Dentistry at the University of Maryland, Cyril Enwonwu, notes that the repetitive process of using a chewing stick releases fresh sap containing fluoride, which wets the tooth enamel and adequately reaches caries-susceptible sites and contributes towards caries prevention.
A Restorative Scientist, Prof. Esosa Akpata, says there’s no how you could chew sticks without inducing the flow of saliva, which is beneficial to oral hygiene.
Biologists agree that saliva is an important part of a healthy body, as it is mostly made of water.
“Saliva contains properties that enable us to digest food and keep the teeth strong. In addition, it keeps the mouth moist and comfortable, while it also enables us to chew, taste, and swallow our foods without much efforts,” Akpata says
In addition, without good saliva flow, germs will have a field day in he mouth, resulting in bad breath.
Enwonwu adds that saliva contains proteins and minerals that protect the tooth enamel, prevent tooth decay and gum disease; while it also keeps dentures securely in place.
If chewing sticks help in inducing saliva this way, why don’t you give it a try?
Researchers say that the benefits accruable from chewing a hard stick to fluffy pulp are many. For one, they say, chewing sticks can train the teeth, giving them strength and resilience that can prevent them from falling off, hence saving you the hassles of undergoing cosmetic replacement if you care so much about your smiles.
Nutritionists say that our ability to properly chew our food will help us to avoid cavities, overbite and crooked or crowded teeth, all of which are inevitable results of eating mushy foods that don’t task the ability of our teeth to exercise itself by biting at hard stuffs.
Indeed, evolutionary biologists argue that when we chew hard stuffs such as a chewing stick, it will help with the strengthening of the jaws and ensuring little overbite.
You suffer from overbite when your upper teeth project too far in front of your lower teeth.
The bottom line: Take time off your toothbrush once in a while, and go for a chewing stick.
Solaade Ayo-Aderele
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