African Chewing Stick – Natural Tooth Cleaning Stick

Short description

The African chewing stick is a natural tooth cleaning stick used across West Africa for generations. Chew the tip until it frays into soft bristles, then brush. Sold as Cure Dent (in French, cure-dent means toothpick), also searched as curedent.

Key features at a glance

• Traditional African tooth stick made from natural wood
• Chew the end into a soft, brush-like tip
• No toothpaste, water or batteries needed
• Light and easy to carry for work or travel
• Helps clear food bits after meals and leaves the mouth feeling fresh

How to use a chewing stick

1. Peel back about half an inch of bark from one end.
2. Chew that end gently until the fibers spread into soft bristles.
3. Brush your teeth with small up-and-down and circular strokes.
4. Rinse the tip, and trim off the used fibers before the next use.

Product details

In Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal and across West Africa, the chewing stick is an everyday habit: many people chew one in the morning, after a meal or on the way to work. It is simple, portable and part of a long tradition many families brought with them to the U.S.

Use it alongside your usual routine, not instead of it: keep brushing with fluoride toothpaste, floss daily and see your dentist for checkups. Prefer a paste? Try our Essential Miswak Toothpaste.

Benefits you'll love

• Fresh-feeling mouth anywhere, no sink needed
• Natural wood, no plastic handle
• A taste of home for West African families
• Low price, and packs of 2, 5 or 10 save more

Pick up in Chicago or ship anywhere in the U.S.

Pick it up at Yado African & Caribbean Market, 1651 E 87th St, Chicago, or order online for fast U.S. shipping.

Frequently asked questions

What is an African chewing stick?

A small stick of natural wood used to clean the teeth. You chew one end until it becomes soft bristles, then brush with it.

What is Cure Dent?

Cure Dent is the name this chewing stick is sold under. Cure-dent is French for toothpick; many French-speaking West Africans call chewing sticks by that name.

Is a chewing stick the same as miswak?

Not exactly. Miswak comes from the arak tree and is common in the Middle East and South Asia. African chewing sticks are cut from West African trees, so they look and taste different. Both are used the same way.

How long does one chewing stick last?

Trim off the used bristles and chew a fresh tip each time; one stick lasts for many uses until it gets too short to hold.

Does it replace a toothbrush?

Use it alongside brushing with fluoride toothpaste, flossing and regular dental visits.