A Teeth cleaning twig, twig toothbrush, bush toothbrush, tooth twig, chew stick, or chewing stick is a tool

Tool

A tool is a device that can be used to produce an item or achieve a task, but that is not consumed in the process. Informally the word is also used to describe a procedure or process with a specific purpose. Tools that are used in particular fields or activities may have different designations such...

 made from a twig from a tree with antimicrobial properties.

Twigs used

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

• Salvadora persica
  Miswak
  The miswak is a teeth cleaning twig made from a twig of the Salvadora persica tree . It has a long, well-documented history and is reputed for its medicinal benefits...
  
  
• Dakhaar
• Gum tree
• Tea Tree
  Tea tree
  Tea tree or Ti-tree is a popular name that has been applied to a number of different, unrelated plants:*Camellia sinensis , from which black, green, oolong and white tea are all obtained....
  
  
• Neem
  Neem
  Azadirachta indica is a tree in the mahogany family Meliaceae. It is one of two species in the genus Azadirachta, and is native to India growing in tropical and semi-tropical regions. Its fruits and seeds are the source of neem oil...
  
  
• Gouania lupuloides
  Gouania lupuloides
  Gouania lupuloides, known as chewstick, is a plant of the family Rhamnaceae.The name in Jamaica for a vine with a woody stem which grows in hedgerows in the hills. In Jamaican patois a vine is called a wis ....
  
  
• Cinnamon
  Cinnamon
  Cinnamon is a spice obtained from the inner bark of several trees from the genus Cinnamomum that is used in both sweet and savoury foods...
  
  
• Dogwood
• olive, walnut, and other trees with bitter roots.

Advantages

When compared to toothbrushes, teeth cleaning twigs have several advantages:

• Reported similar dental protection as toothbrushes
• More ecological in its life-cycle
• Lower cost (0-16% of the cost of a toothbrush)
• Independence from external supplier if made at home from privately owned trees
• Low maintenance, with 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.
• No need for toothpaste
• Can combat bad breath (e.g. Cinnamon)

See also

• Miswak
  Miswak
  The miswak is a teeth cleaning twig made from a twig of the Salvadora persica tree . It has a long, well-documented history and is reputed for its medicinal benefits...
  
  
• Toothpick
  Toothpick
  A toothpick is a small stick of wood, plastic, bamboo, metal, bone or other substance used to remove detritus from the teeth, usually after a meal. A toothpick usually has one or two sharp ends to insert between teeth. They can also be used for picking up small appetizers or as a cocktail...
  
  
• Toothbrush
  Toothbrush
  The toothbrush is an oral hygiene instrument used to clean the teeth and gums that consists of a head of tightly clustered bristles mounted on a handle, which facilitates the cleansing of hard-to-reach areas of the mouth. Toothpaste, which often contains fluoride, is commonly used in conjunction...
  
  
• Ecological toothpaste
  Toothpaste
  Toothpaste is a paste or gel dentifrice used with a toothbrush as an accessory to clean and maintain the aesthetics and health of teeth. Toothpaste is used to promote oral hygiene: it serves as an abrasive that aids in removing the dental plaque and food from the teeth, assists in suppressing...
  
  
• Natural cleaning product