Most people use toothbrushes, toothpaste and dental floss to
clean their teeth,but their use is by no means universal. Many indigenous
groups, as well as people in developing countries, use traditional techniques
to clean their teeth. Some of these techniques are more effective than others.
Many people in the Middle East, and some parts of South and
Southeast Asia, use twigs from the arak tree (known as miswak) to clean their
teeth. They fray the end of the twig, dampen the resulting bristles with water
or rosewater and then rub the bristles against their teeth (see video below).
The wood of the arak tree (Salvadora persica) has a high concentration of
fluoride and other antimicrobial components that prevent tooth decay.
Twigs from other trees, especially aromatic trees that freshen
the mouth, are used in different cultures. These so-called chew sticks have
been in use for thousands of years. The first recorded use was in ancient
Babylonia but they were also used
in China as far back as 1600BC.
Using twigs can have similar cleaning effects as a conventional
toothbrush, as shown in several studies. But the sticks can’t reach areas
between the teeth, and if they aren’t used properly, they can damage the gums
and abrade the teeth.
Fingers
In some cultures, people rub various substances onto their teeth
with their fingers. For example, in some Muslim countries, people rub walnut
tree bark on their teeth. The bark of this tree has a antimicrobial properties and
is also believed to have a whitening effect. However, no studies have been
conducted to investigate its effectiveness or side effects.
Some people in rural India, Africa, Southeast Asia and South
America use brick, mud, salt ,powder or ash to clean their teeth. Although
these ingredients effectively remove stains and plaque, they don’t contain
fluoride and are often abrasive, resulting in sensitive teeth and receding
gums.
Charcoal which is also a traditional tooth cleaning powder, is
making a bit of a comeback. Some modern toothpastes and toothbrushes now
contain this ingredient, and evidence suggests that it can bind to harmful
bacteria and inactivate them.
But not all natural products can be recommended . betel quid and
areca nuts ,which are often used in Southeast Asia for tooth cleaning – stain
the teeth and gums. And worse than that, they are associated with an increased
risk of oral cancer.
Another tooth cleaning method that doesn’t involve toothpaste or
a toothbrush is oil pulling – an ancient Ayurveda practice. Here, a small
amount of coconut, sesame, sunflower or olive oil is swirled around the mouth
for 15 minutes. This is believed to wash out bacteria and toxins. Oil pulling,
when performed along with routine brushing and flossing, can help to reduce gum
inflammation , according to recent studies.
Modern methods
Tooth decay (caries) and gum disease (gingivitis and
periodontitis) are among the most common diseases, with most of the world
population affected, according to the
world health organization With few exceptions, these diseases are
preventable with ideal oral hygiene and a healthy diet. The high percentage of
people suffering from these diseases suggests that most people oral hygience
methods are not up to the ideal standard and need to be improve.
Modern oral hygiene devices are specifically designed to clean
even difficult to reach areas in the mouth and are highly effective, but only
when done correctly. However, some alternative cleaning techniques, such as oil
pulling, are useful additions.
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