Long before modern toothbrushes hit our shelves, people in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia were using “miswak” sticks—branches from the Salvadora persica tree—to clean their teeth.
The miswak stick has natural antibacterial properties and has been used for thousands of years to promote oral hygiene. Its fibers are gentle on the gums and effective at removing plaque. The World Health Organization has even recognized the miswak for its efficacy and continued relevance in oral hygiene.
