Dentist in Ondo state says chewing stick better than tooth brush

The Head of  Dental Department at the State Specialist Hospital, Okitipupa in Ondo State, Dr Segun Adegoke, has said that chewing sticks are better for cleaning the teeth than tooth brush.

Adegoke said in Okitipupa that chewing sticks contained anti-microbacterial substance called `tannin' which was the same as “fluoride'' in toothpastes.

He said the natural `tannin' helped to fight ther bacteria in the mouth, maintained the gums, made the teeth stronger and improved the oral hygiene more than tooth brushes.

According to him, the tannin is in the bark of the chewing stick, so the back must not be removed to enjoy the tannin.

“Our aged parents use chewing sticks and even at 60 years of age, their teeth are stronger than that of the youth of today.

“Why many people choose tooth brush is because it is faster to use and they also hold the belief that chewing stick is outdated.

“I think chewing sticks are better than tooth brushes because the tannin in it helps in various ways to keep the teeth cleaner, fresher and stronger, '' the dentist said.

He, however, said that the only advantage tooth brush had over chewing stick was its angulation, its ability to get to the corners of the mouth.

The dentist advised brushing of the mouth twice daily, in the morning and in the night, with either chewing stick or tooth brush to remove food particles and bacteria which caused mouth odour.