You Are Brushing Wrong If You Don’t Use A ‘Chewing Stick’
The staple of good oral hygiene in Africa.
I remember when charcoal paste for brushing teeth became the rage in the West. Many Africans like myself were surprised. For generations, Africans have used charcoal to brush their teeth, and some swear to its medicinal purposes for the teeth.
And I say charcoal — not charcoal paste. I imagine that whatever you add to it does nothing like ‘just’ charcoal will.
With conventional toothpaste, you get the minty taste and none of the whiteness they all swear you will have after use. Charcoal neutralizes plaque, actually whitens your teeth, and gives your mouth a unique freshness.
I know this to be true because, in my late grandmother’s kitchen, we will take the last night’s charcoal before it is thrown out, brush our teeth furiously with it, and stand around to debate who had the whitest teeth. I must say I did (and no one here can dispute that!)
Now, before the West ‘discover’ the Chewing Stick (like Mungo Park came to Africa and discovered the river Niger), let me introduce you to it — A fine and proper accompaniment to the charcoal.
Chewing Stick is a staple for good oral hygiene over here.
Unfortunately, even though my mother has used it all my life, I used to look down on it. Why in the world will you use that rather than a brush? I will tell you —
Brush, and run your tongue through your teeth. Feel that remaining plaque? It was game-changing when I said — let me try that.
Africans are onto something with the Chewing Stick; you should not knock it until you have used it.
Get yourself a Chewing Stick to eliminate plaque and have a healthier glow. Use your paste and brush on your tongue to eliminate odours.
A warning to newbie Chewing Stick users, don’t brush too furiously — gently, gently so you don’t destroy your enamel.
Ever used a Chewing Stick? What has been your experience?
Want to get a Chewing Stick? I can always start the business of exporting it — just for you.
Thank you for reading. Buy me coffee?