At a glance
- WhatNatural wood tooth stick
- Price$2.99 a stick
- UseChew the tip into soft bristles
- LastsTrim the tip, reuse many times
- Get itPickup at 1651 E 87th St, Chicago, or U.S. shipping
Natural oral care guide · Yado Market
An African chewing stick is a twig from certain trees that you chew at one end until it frays into a soft brush, then use to clean your teeth. People in West Africa have cleaned their teeth this way for generations, and many still do today.1,4 Here's what a chewing stick is, how to use one, how it compares with miswak, what research says, and where to buy one in Chicago.
Shop African Chewing Stick · $2.99 →
Quick answer: how do you use a chewing stick?
- Peel about ½ inch of bark off one end.
- Chew that end until the fibers spread into soft bristles.1
- Brush gently along your teeth and gums, then rinse.
- Trim the used tip and repeat; replace the stick when it gets short.
The basics
What Is an African Chewing Stick?
A chewing stick is a small piece of twig or root, about the length of a pencil, that you chew at one end until the fibers loosen into a brush. Teeth-cleaning twigs are used in many parts of the world, and in West Africa they are part of daily life for many families.1
It goes by many names. In Senegal the Wolof name is sothiou, and Fulani speakers in northern Nigeria call it siwahewal.2 In French-speaking countries you will hear cure-dent, which is the name on our shelf.
Different trees are used in different places. In southwestern Nigeria, chewing sticks from Terminalia glaucescens, Vernonia amygdalina (bitter leaf), Massularia acuminata, Afzelia africana, Rauwolfia vomitoria and Nauclea latifolia are common,4 and Garcinia mannii is used elsewhere in West Africa.1 Each has its own taste, from mild to quite bitter.
Step by step
How to Use a Chewing Stick
It takes a minute or two to learn. Do this in front of a mirror the first few times.
- Peel the tipUse a knife or your teeth to remove about ½ inch of bark from one end.
- Chew it softChew that end gently for a minute until the fibers spread into soft bristles.1
- Brush gentlyRub the bristles up and down over the front, back and chewing sides of your teeth. Don't scrub hard at the gum line.
- RinseRinse your mouth and the stick with clean water when you finish.
- Trim and reuseNext time, cut off the used tip so you start with fresh fibers.1 One stick lasts many uses.
- Store it dryKeep it in a clean, dry spot away from the sink, moisten it if it dries out, and replace it every few weeks or once it gets short.1
Tip: A chewing stick is great on the go, after meals or at work. At home, keep brushing twice a day with a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.5
Compare
Which Kind? Chewing Stick vs Miswak vs Miswak Toothpaste
Miswak (also called siwak) is the best-known teeth-cleaning twig in the world. It comes from the arak tree, Salvadora persica, which grows from East Africa to the Middle East and South Asia.2 The African chewing stick works the same way but comes from different West African trees.1,4
| African chewing stick | Miswak stick | Miswak toothpaste | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Twig from West African trees | Twig from the arak tree | Paste flavored with miswak extract |
| How you use it | Chew the tip, brush, trim | Chew the tip, brush, trim | With a regular toothbrush |
| Taste | Woody, often bitter | Peppery, a little spicy | Minty and herbal |
| Best for | On the go, tradition | On the go, tradition | Everyday brushing |
| At Yado | $2.99 | Not stocked now | Essential Miswak $6.99 |
Want the habit without the twig? A miswak or moringa toothpaste fits your normal toothbrush routine. Want the real thing? Grab a chewing stick and keep it in your bag.
Shop the guide
Natural Oral Care at Yado Market
In stock for pickup at 1651 E 87th St, Chicago, or U.S. shipping.
The evidence
What Research Says About Chewing Sticks
In 1986 the World Health Organization recommended the use of miswak, the best-known chewing stick, and an international consensus on oral hygiene in 2000 said more research was needed to document its effect.2
Studies so far are mixed. A review of miswak research found some trials where people using the stick had less plaque and gum inflammation than toothbrush users, and others with no real difference. The same review noted that frequent, hard use has been linked to gum recession and wear on the teeth.3
In the lab, extracts from several chewing sticks used in southwestern Nigeria slowed the growth of bacteria.4 That is a lab result, not proof that the stick prevents cavities or gum disease in people.
Bottom line: A chewing stick is a good traditional way to freshen up and clean between meals. It doesn't replace brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste or seeing a dentist.5 If you have tooth pain, bleeding gums or sensitivity, see a dentist.
Where to Buy a Chewing Stick Near Me in Chicago
Find the African chewing stick (cure-dent) at Yado African & Caribbean Market, 1651 E 87th St, Chicago, IL, for $2.99. Order online for store pickup, or get it shipped anywhere in the U.S. Buy a few at once so you always have one at home, at work and in your bag.
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an African chewing stick?
A twig from certain West African trees that you chew at one end until it frays into a soft brush, then use to clean your teeth.1
How long does a chewing stick last?
Many uses. Trim off the used tip each time and replace the stick every few weeks, or when it gets too short to hold.1
Can a chewing stick replace my toothbrush?
Use it alongside your toothbrush, not instead of it. Dentists recommend brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.5
Is a chewing stick the same as miswak?
They are used the same way, but miswak comes from the arak tree (Salvadora persica), while African chewing sticks come from other trees.2,4
Why does my chewing stick taste bitter?
Some of the trees used, like bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina), are naturally bitter.4 The taste fades after the first few chews.
Can chewing sticks hurt my gums?
Scrubbing hard can. Frequent use has been linked to gum recession and tooth wear,3 so brush gently and see a dentist if your gums bleed or hurt.
Where can I buy a chewing stick near me in Chicago?
At Yado African & Caribbean Market, 1651 E 87th St, Chicago, for $2.99, with pickup or U.S. shipping.
Keep reading
More Natural Care Guides
Sources
- Teeth-cleaning twig, Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org
- Miswak, Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org
- Dahiya P et al. Miswak: A periodontist's perspective. J Ayurveda Integr Med, 2012;3(4):184-187 (PMC). pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Ojo OO, Ajayi AO, Anibijuwon II. Antibacterial Properties of Extracts of Some Chewing Sticks Commonly Used in Southwestern Nigeria. J Pure Appl Microbiol, 2007. www.microbiologyjournal.org
- Brushing Your Teeth, American Dental Association (MouthHealthy). www.mouthhealthy.org
This guide is for general information and is not dental or medical advice.
Try an African chewing stick for $2.99
Pick one up at 1651 E 87th St, Chicago, or order online for U.S. shipping.
Shop chewing stick · $2.99