Chew sticks are twigs or roots of certain plants that are chewed until one end is frayed. This end can be used to brush against the teeth,[2] while the other end can be used as atoothpick.[3] The earliest chew sticks have been dated to Babylonia in 3500 BCE[3] and an Egyptian tomb from 3000 BCE;[2] they are mentioned in Chinese records dating from 1600 BCE[3] In theAyurvedas around 4th century BCE and inTipitaka, in theBuddhist Canon around the 5th century BCE in India.[4][5]
The Indian way of using tooth wood for brushing is presented by the Chinese monkYijing (635–713 CE) when he describes the rules for monks in his book:[6]
Every day in the morning, a monk must chew a piece of tooth wood to brush his teeth and scrape his tongue, and this must be done in the proper way. Only after one has washed one's hands and mouth may one make salutations. Otherwise both the saluter and the saluted are at fault.In Sanskrit, the tooth wood is known as thedantakastha—danta meaning tooth, andkastha, a piece of wood. It is twelve finger-widths in length. The shortest is not less than eight finger-widths long, resembling the little finger in size. Chew one end of the wood well for a long while and then brush the teeth with it.
A wide variety of plants can be used asdantakastha.[7]
In Africa, chew sticks are made from the treeSalvadora persica, also known as the "toothbrush tree". In Islam, this tree is traditionally used to create a chew stick calledmiswak, as frequently advocated for in thehadith (written traditions relating to the life ofMuhammad).[8]
In South India,neem is used as a teeth cleaning twig. Neem, in full bloom, can aid in healing by keeping the area clean and disinfected.
TraditionalSikhs still use datun today as it is written in their scriptures:
ਦਾਤਨ ਕਰੇ ਨਿਤ ਨੀਤ ਨਾ ਦੁਖ ਪਾਵੈ ਲਾਲ ਜੀ ॥ (੨੩)
Dear/beloved, natural twig, brush everyday, and pains you shall never get. (23)
Teeth-cleaning twigs can be obtained from a variety of tree species. Although many trees are used in the production of teeth-cleaning twigs, some trees are better suited to clean and protect the teeth, due to the chemical composition of the plant parts. The tree species are:[10][11][12][13][14][15]
When compared to toothbrushes, teeth-cleaning twigs have several differentiations such as:
More ecological in its life-cycle.
Dependence from external supplier, if lack of access to the respective trees.
Some twigs need moistening with water if they become dry, to ensure the end is soft. The end may be cut afresh to ensure hygiene, and should not be stored near a sink. The twig is replaced every few weeks to maintain proper hygiene.
Lower cost (0–16% of the cost of a toothbrush).
Not standardized hardness. Careful selection of the right hardness is required before use.
Use without toothpaste. Thus indefinite fluoride consumption.
Cleaning teeth all day long, instead of twice a day for a few minutes.[16]
^Li, R., 2000. Buddhist Monastic Traditions of Southern Asia: A Record of the Inner Law Sent Home from the South Seas (p. 198). Numata Center for Buddhist Translation and Research.
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