The Bad Effect of Chewing Stick.

 

The consistent use of chewing stick wears out the teeth surface. This was revealed by a dental surgeon in Abuja,Dr Isikwei Uche. This were his exact words;


“People who use chewing sticks apply lots of pressure on the teeth so as to clean well but this practice over a period of time wears away the surface of the teeth and the gum.
“When you apply pressure, you bruise the gum, wear the gum and it causes gum recession.
“Chewing stick cannot be used to clean the inner part of the teeth because it is just straight and does not have the ability to reach the inner parts of the mouth,”



The Dental Surgeon added that chewing sticks were not something patients would be advised to use anymore, adding that there were good toothpaste and toothbrushes available.
He, however, observed that the use of chewing sticks had no clear cut health implications on the users, adding that it had some components that helps protect the mouth and teeth from decay.
“The use of chewing sticks does not have any health issues but the issue is that it is poor in management of the oral environment.

“For some people that use it, it is easy to carry about, it is readily available, it is less expensive to purchase.
“When using chewing sticks, it helps the user to exercise the jaw and can as well induce the production of saliva in the mouth.
“Some chewing sticks that are bitter have components like chloride, sodium which also functions in toothpastes as plague indicators and can prevent holes in the teeth,”