Trending dental products that sound less than glamorous
25 Nov 2017
Sticks, Dirt and Charcoal... in Your Mouth?
By Sara Bruskin We all know that fluoride toothpaste is a highly polarizing issue that has been discussed to death in dental-health forums, so let’s find something new to fight about! Here are three new trends in oral health care for you to debate.Miswak Twig Brush
The word miswak means “tooth-cleaning stick” in Arabic. This is definitely not a new trend in the global sense, but miswaks are just now making waves in the U.S. as a natural alternative to plastic toothbrushes and store-bought dentifrices. While rubbing a stick all over your teeth may not sound entirely appealing, there may be some legitimate science behind it. A specific tree has some dental-hygiene powers that many Asian and African countries have been harnessing for centuries. The soft inner fibers of Salvadora persica, also known as the toothbrush tree, contain silica, which is abrasive enough to remove plaque; sodium bicarbonate, which whitens teeth and raises the pH level in your mouth; and trace amounts of naturally occurring fluoride, which can be good or bad, depending on your stance on fluoride. Although the plant’s chemical compounds are very similar to those in modern toothpastes, they may not reach your teeth to take effect, as the shape of the twig is not as conducive to brushing as toothbrushes are. Because the fibers extend straight out from the end of the twig, it can be difficult to reach some areas of your teeth, especially the back molars. The side-facing bristles of modern toothbrushes give a more convenient angle for hitting all surfaces and removing the most plaque. Studies on miswaks are not terribly extensive, but those that exist show inconsistent results. Some indicate that they are slightly more effective than toothbrushes, while others indicate they’re slightly less beneficial, with the discrepancy often attributed to difficulties using the twig. More research is needed, but the results we already have suggest that miswaks are more or less as effective as toothbrushes, which is why the World Health Organization recommends them in developing countries where other dental health products may be scarce. Verdict: Miswaks seem to be effective, if used correctly. They have very similar benefits to modern toothbrushes and dentifrices, so feel free to make the switch, but only if you’re committed to following recommended brushing techniques (look at online videos). They could be a boon to backpackers.Bentonite Clay or ‘Dirt’ Tooth Powders
Activated Charcoal Tooth Powders & Pastes
