Efficacy of traditional chewing sticks in plaque control

Abstract

Recent literature is full of reports on the efficiency in plaque control and the antibacterial properties of "chewing sticks". But there has been lack of unanimity on the effectiveness of chewing sticks in plaque control when compared with tooth brushes. Besides, antibacterial properties have been tested on microbiota which have never been closely associated with periodontitis. Therefore, this paper reviews the existing literature on the effectiveness of chewing sticks in plaque control and discusses some of the possible limitations of using chewing sticks.