Any one ever hear of miswak (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miswak)?
I haven't seen any studies or reports that have any particularly negative results, and I just got some in the mail today, and I'm really enjoying it. It'll be great for on the go, and it can take your mind off of cigarettes if you're a smoker. Plus, it tastes interesting and feels cool.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAT-dURUf3A
Quote from: Nigel on March 01, 2014, 03:11:05 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAT-dURUf3A
Heh :lol:
Yeah, I've used those before. Some of the shops out here carry them both flavored and unflavored. They're pretty fun to use. Sometimes I'll grab one for something to chew on after meals. It freshens the breath and cleans the teeth! Double bonus. Just be careful not to suck on them too long or the wood can come loose in splinters. Luckily, all it takes is letting the stick dry overnight then cutting the used area away with a pocket knife and you're good again.
It's been awhile. I should do it again some time!
You can also just cut a twig off a tree. Maple, oak, dogwood, and most fruiting trees are good.
Quote from: Nigel on March 01, 2014, 07:39:05 PM
You can also just cut a twig off a tree. Maple, oak, dogwood, and most fruiting trees are good.
True, although different trees do have different flavors and different properties. Miswak is just the most popular. Oak can be sort of bitter, Apple usually is OK, and plum has too much resin to be useful (at least my red plum did).
Quote from: Red on March 02, 2014, 03:03:12 AM
Quote from: Nigel on March 01, 2014, 07:39:05 PM
You can also just cut a twig off a tree. Maple, oak, dogwood, and most fruiting trees are good.
True, although different trees do have different flavors and different properties. Miswak is just the most popular. Oak can be sort of bitter, Apple usually is OK, and plum has too much resin to be useful (at least my red plum did).
That would never have occurred to me, thanks for clueing me in.
Quote from: Nigel on March 02, 2014, 04:14:45 AM
That would never have occurred to me, thanks for clueing me in.
No problem. Learning to use natural alternatives can be really interesting sometimes.
I think the nicest random stick (not purchased anywhere) I have tried was sassafras. It tastes like root beer! On the down side the sassfarole can lead to cancer so don't use it too much.
Currently I am tinkering with tooth powders. I'm starting to get the hang of it and am considering making my own based on some things I have seen used in commercial tooth powders.
:lulz:
Quote from: Nigel on March 01, 2014, 07:39:05 PM
You can also just cut a twig off a tree. Maple, oak, dogwood, and most fruiting trees are good.
I just spent some time poking around the inter-butts, and it is actually really surprising to see that there are so many different types of chew-sticks out there. I'm concerned mostly with those with antimicrobial properties, and even this category is extensive. I have experience with miswak, and I'm really liking it, but the flavor can get a little... persistent.
Any suggestions on a good alternative that tastes better, but also has similar antimicrobial properties as miswak? Also, growing my own is not really an option for me at the time, so something commercially available would be also necessary. These things are really useful during the day when I'm stuck on campus for hours. And, with no dental insurance, I want to do all I can. Plus it's just kinda cool chewing a stick.
Quote from: Cuddlefish on March 02, 2014, 05:12:30 PM
Quote from: Nigel on March 01, 2014, 07:39:05 PM
You can also just cut a twig off a tree. Maple, oak, dogwood, and most fruiting trees are good.
I just spent some time poking around the inter-butts, and it is actually really surprising to see that there are so many different types of chew-sticks out there. I'm concerned mostly with those with antimicrobial properties, and even this category is extensive. I have experience with miswak, and I'm really liking it, but the flavor can get a little... persistent.
Any suggestions on a good alternative that tastes better, but also has similar antimicrobial properties as miswak? Also, growing my own is not really an option for me at the time, so something commercially available would be also necessary. These things are really useful during the day when I'm stuck on campus for hours. And, with no dental insurance, I want to do all I can. Plus it's just kinda cool chewing a stick.
Pretty much all of them have microbial qualities.
Quote from: Nigel on March 03, 2014, 03:55:07 AM
Quote from: Cuddlefish on March 02, 2014, 05:12:30 PM
Quote from: Nigel on March 01, 2014, 07:39:05 PM
You can also just cut a twig off a tree. Maple, oak, dogwood, and most fruiting trees are good.
I just spent some time poking around the inter-butts, and it is actually really surprising to see that there are so many different types of chew-sticks out there. I'm concerned mostly with those with antimicrobial properties, and even this category is extensive. I have experience with miswak, and I'm really liking it, but the flavor can get a little... persistent.
Any suggestions on a good alternative that tastes better, but also has similar antimicrobial properties as miswak? Also, growing my own is not really an option for me at the time, so something commercially available would be also necessary. These things are really useful during the day when I'm stuck on campus for hours. And, with no dental insurance, I want to do all I can. Plus it's just kinda cool chewing a stick.
Pretty much all of them have microbial qualities.
Pretty cool.
Quote from: Cuddlefish on March 02, 2014, 05:12:30 PM
Any suggestions on a good alternative that tastes better, but also has similar antimicrobial properties as miswak? Also, growing my own is not really an option for me at the time, so something commercially available would be also necessary.
Have you looked into flavored chewing sticks? Usually it's flavored liccorice root, but it has a different flavor, can be bought pretty easily commercially and works for cleaning teeth and/or having something to chew on. Here's one company that sells them (http://www.houseofnubian.com/ibs/simplecat/shelf/asp/hierarchy/04.html) and if you have any "African" shops around you can probably find them there.
Quote from: Cuddlefish on March 01, 2014, 12:04:28 AM
Any one ever hear of miswak (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miswak)?
I haven't seen any studies or reports that have any particularly negative results, and I just got some in the mail today, and I'm really enjoying it. It'll be great for on the go, and it can take your mind off of cigarettes if you're a smoker. Plus, it tastes interesting and feels cool.
I just like to see what happens when I put WD40, etc, in my e-cig. Haven't wanted tobacco since September. But things HAVE become a little, you know,
disconnected.
Cuddlefish, don't you have parks or neighbors where you live?
Quote from: Nigel on March 04, 2014, 01:41:04 AM
Cuddlefish, don't you have parks or neighbors where you live?
Yeah, I realized a bit slowly that you said maple twigs are good. I think the tree in my front yard is a maple. Though it's not the type you would get syrup or anything from... Is any maple as good as any other?
Quote from: Cuddlefish on March 04, 2014, 11:36:30 AM
Quote from: Nigel on March 04, 2014, 01:41:04 AM
Cuddlefish, don't you have parks or neighbors where you live?
Yeah, I realized a bit slowly that you said maple twigs are good. I think the tree in my front yard is a maple. Though it's not the type you would get syrup or anything from... Is any maple as good as any other?
TRY IT FOR SCIENCE!
Quote from: Cuddlefish on March 04, 2014, 11:36:30 AM
Quote from: Nigel on March 04, 2014, 01:41:04 AM
Cuddlefish, don't you have parks or neighbors where you live?
Yeah, I realized a bit slowly that you said maple twigs are good. I think the tree in my front yard is a maple. Though it's not the type you would get syrup or anything from... Is any maple as good as any other?
Yes, pretty much, they'll only vary slightly in taste.
I only brush my teeth with troofpaste. And a rusty spoon.
:lulz:
Quote from: Cain on March 04, 2014, 01:59:50 PM
I only brush my teeth with troofpaste. And a rusty spoon.
:lol:
Quote from: Nigel on March 04, 2014, 01:58:26 PM
Quote from: Cuddlefish on March 04, 2014, 11:36:30 AM
Quote from: Nigel on March 04, 2014, 01:41:04 AM
Cuddlefish, don't you have parks or neighbors where you live?
Yeah, I realized a bit slowly that you said maple twigs are good. I think the tree in my front yard is a maple. Though it's not the type you would get syrup or anything from... Is any maple as good as any other?
Yes, pretty much, they'll only vary slightly in taste.
Well, hell. I'll give it a shot.
Now, does season matter for harvesting twigs? Like, are they best in the spring? I suppose what I really am asking is if there is any reason to not do this
right now.
Quote from: Cuddlefish on March 04, 2014, 09:54:58 PM
Quote from: Cain on March 04, 2014, 01:59:50 PM
I only brush my teeth with troofpaste. And a rusty spoon.
:lol:
Quote from: Nigel on March 04, 2014, 01:58:26 PM
Quote from: Cuddlefish on March 04, 2014, 11:36:30 AM
Quote from: Nigel on March 04, 2014, 01:41:04 AM
Cuddlefish, don't you have parks or neighbors where you live?
Yeah, I realized a bit slowly that you said maple twigs are good. I think the tree in my front yard is a maple. Though it's not the type you would get syrup or anything from... Is any maple as good as any other?
Yes, pretty much, they'll only vary slightly in taste.
Well, hell. I'll give it a shot.
Now, does season matter for harvesting twigs? Like, are they best in the spring? I suppose what I really am asking is if there is any reason to not do this right now.
Winter is good because they're a little sweeter in winter, but to tell the truth I think fresh (or relatively fresh) is probably preferable to dried up any time. I'd get a handful of them and then when they get all dry and not so good, get some more.
Maybe you'll like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPZ7kOxo9II
I am willing to bet those twigs are somewhat more beneficial then toothbrushes if only because most people do not regularly sanitize their brushes, leaving all that bacteria to sit and wait. Though simply soaking them on hydrogen peroxide would cut that down.
Quote from: Alty on March 04, 2014, 10:46:42 PM
I am willing to bet those twigs are somewhat more beneficial then toothbrushes if only because most people do not regularly sanitize their brushes, leaving all that bacteria to sit and wait. Though simply soaking them on hydrogen peroxide would cut that down.
I throw my toothbrushes away with great frequency. But I also chew on twigs, have since I was a kid, and I don't get plaque buildup, or any tartar at all ever. Which could just be a coincidence of my oral microbiome.
I tried this today with a birch twig and HOLY SHIT I am never using floss again!
I don't anyway, I use those little plastic toothpicks with the rubber ends, which work well and are easier to use than floss. But MAN that little twig got places I've never been able to work floss.
Also, it just felt way cleaner afterward, though I am a little sore.
And I had a bit of a headache and it mostly cleared up. Yay.
My teeth are in not in the best shape, my mircobiome is shit. Well, not literally. I hope not anyway. But my dad had all of his teeth removed by 42. Then again he smoked two cartons a week and chewed. Blech.
Thanks for posting this, Dimo!
Quote from: Alty on March 05, 2014, 03:44:34 AM
I tried this today with a birch twig and HOLY SHIT I am never using floss again!
I don't anyway, I use those little plastic toothpicks with the rubber ends, which work well and are easier to use than floss. But MAN that little twig got places I've never been able to work floss.
Also, it just felt way cleaner afterward, though I am a little sore.
And I had a bit of a headache and it mostly cleared up. Yay.
My teeth are in not in the best shape, my mircobiome is shit. Well, not literally. I hope not anyway. But my dad had all of his teeth removed by 42. Then again he smoked two cartons a week and chewed. Blech.
Thanks for posting this, Dimo!
Holy shit, I'm 42 and the idea of losing a tooth horrifies me.