The toothbrush plant.
The toothbrush plant is a low-growing shrub that is found throughout Africa and the Middle East. It is used by the native peoples as a chew stick for cleaning their teeth. When the end of the wood is chewed, it becomes frayed and can be used as a natural brush that delivers therapeutic minerals and chemicals, present in the wood fiber to the teeth and gingiva. The use of this wood for oral care could be a great benefit to people in industrialized nations.
Neiburger
E J
EJ
Lake County Museum.
D000349:Africa; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D016488:Medicine, African Traditional; D008877:Middle East; D009910:Oral Hygiene / Q000295:instrumentation; D053147:Plant Exudates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018547:Plant Stems; D032121:Salvadoraceae; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000295:instrumentation*
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D053147:Plant Exudates