Meswak stick: the plant-based toothbrush made from arak root

It looks like a small piece of raw wood, yet it is a toothbrush. The meswak, also called miswak or siwak, is one of the oldest oral hygiene tools still in use today. It is a surprising object, and customers who spot it on our shelves are often curious about it.

What is a meswak?

According to the product sheet, the meswak is a natural, centuries-old toothbrush: it is the root of a shrub called arak, which grows very slowly in the sands of Africa and Asia. Its natural fibre easily removes food remnants and can also be used to clean the tongue.

The arak shrub is known botanically as Salvadora persica and belongs to the Salvadoraceae family. The chewing stick made from its roots or twigs has been used for centuries in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, where it is part of daily life for many families. Other cultures have developed similar "tooth sticks" from local plants too.

How to use it

Preparing the stick

• Remove the bark from about one centimetre at one end, using your teeth or a small knife.
• Gently chew that end to separate the fibres: little by little they form a small brush.
• If the wood feels too hard, soak the end in water for a few minutes to soften it.

Brushing

• Move the fibres over your teeth with small strokes, without forcing, following the curve of each row.
• Finish with the tongue, from back to front.
• Rinse the end under clean water after use.

Looking after it

• When the fibres wear out or lose their firmness, cut off the used end and expose a fresh one.
• Keep the stick dry, in a case or a clean glass, away from dust.

Precautions

A few pointers. Brush gently, without pressing too hard. Do not swallow fibres that come loose. With children, an adult should always be present, and the stick is not a toy. Throw it away if its smell or appearance changes. A meswak does not replace regular check-ups with your dentist: if you wear a brace, have implants or sensitive teeth, ask your dentist before changing your routine.

Our products

• Meswak stick – the arak root, ready for you to prepare.
• Meswak toothpaste, 100 g – for those who would rather find siwak in a paste used with an ordinary toothbrush.

A simple object worth discovering

A meswak slips easily into a wash bag or a hiking rucksack and needs neither running water nor a tube. It does take a little practice, though. If you would like to try one, drop by Droguerie Perusset: we will gladly show you how to prepare your first stick.