You've probably seen influencers on TikTok hyping up the TwigBrush as a "teeth whitening twig."
But is this just another passing trend that influencers are cashing in on? Or is there real science behind the hype?
I experimented on myself (so you don't have to):
For about a year now, I've been using only the TwigBrush—no toothpaste, no water, no regular toothbrushes—just to see if this natural alternative has any merit and whether modern toothpaste is truly a fad.
During the experiment, I still flossed regularly and used a steel tongue scraper to clean my tongue.
I had known about the TwigBrush before (more commonly known as Miswak),
but I never knew the science behind it and genuinely wanted to know whether it's effective enough to prevent cavities and visits to the dentist.
Here's what I'll cover:
- My personal experience using it
- Why it works
- Its History
Let's break it down...
My Experience
First off, I was amazed by the instant cleansing feeling right after using it for the first time.
It seems that the bristles are much better at buffing your teeth than generic toothbrushes.
They leave your teeth feeling polished and smooth.
You can feel deeper layers of plaque coming off.
What's crazy is you feel a stark difference after just brushing for a minute.
The first couple of days, angling the brush to get the back and sides of the molars was a little tricky.
After all, it's a twig, not 90-degree facing bristles like a regular toothbrush.
So, I had to angle it differently to reach the back and sides of my molars.
But within a couple of days, I became a pro, and it feels like second nature.
When it comes to whitening, I noticed the TwigBrush was able to remove tough stains from my teeth that wouldn't come off with a regular toothbrush.
As for the teeth whitening, that was the plot twist.
You see, I'm someone who drinks a lot of coffee and tea every day, almost 2-3 cups per day.
So, I'd be shocked if it truly whitened my teeth the same way getting them whitened at a dentist would.
While it did verifiably make my teeth clean and "whiter" after drinking coffee—getting rid of stains and tannins—it wasn't pearly white.
Here's the caveat though: I kept using the TwigBrush, and then one day, after a couple of months, I realized that my teeth were notably whiter despite my coffee habits.
I am not sure if it's supposed to take that long, but I am very happy with how much better my teeth look.
Given that I have been using toothpaste and a toothbrush for over 28 years, my teeth look the best they ever have from using a twig.
Safe to say, I am probably not stopping anytime soon.
My gums also don't bleed as much as they used to before the TwigBrush,
and I will still go for my regular dentist professional cleaning as well as get a checkup to see if they pass the dentist test.
I will not tell my dentist what I've been doing so as not to get a biased answer.
Once I get the feedback, I will post the updated version on this blog.
But now that I've seen firsthand the effects, it made me wonder, how does this work?
I dived into the science and history to understand what's different about this twig that toothpaste doesn't have and why we switched.
Why Does TwigBrush (Miswak) Actually Work?
1. Natural Abrasive Power
TwigBrush works primarily through its natural, fibrous texture.
When you chew the end of the twig, it frays into a brush-like form.
These tiny fibers gently scrub your teeth, acting as a natural abrasive that lifts surface stains without damaging enamel.
Unlike some commercial teeth whitening products that use harsh chemicals, TwigBrush provides a primitive yet effective way to clean and brighten your smile.
2. Packed with Antibacterial Compounds
One of the key reasons TwigBrush works is because of its antibacterial properties.
The Salvadora persica tree (from which TwigBrush is derived) contains powerful compounds like salvadorine and benzylisothiocyanate.
These compounds are natural antibacterial agents that help reduce plaque and fight harmful bacteria in your mouth.
By preventing plaque buildup and maintaining healthy gums, TwigBrush keeps your teeth cleaner and, as a result, brighter.
3. Key Ingredients for Whitening and Freshness
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Silica: The silica found in TwigBrush acts as a gentle abrasive, helping to remove surface stains without damaging the enamel. It's a key player in whitening by lifting dirt and plaque from the teeth.
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Sodium Bicarbonate: Commonly known as baking soda, this ingredient has mild abrasive properties that help neutralize acids in the mouth while gently polishing teeth, contributing to a whiter, brighter smile.
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Resins: Natural resins in TwigBrush help protect your gums and keep your mouth fresh. They also work to maintain the integrity of the tooth enamel by promoting a balanced oral environment.
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Remineralizing elements like calcium and phosphate: These shield tooth enamel.
4. A Gentle Whitening Effect
Unlike many commercial teeth whiteners that use abrasive chemicals or bleach to remove stains, TwigBrush works more naturally.
The combination of its antibacterial action, silica, sodium bicarbonate, and resins helps remove surface stains and prevent new ones from forming.
This results in a whiter, brighter smile over time, without harsh chemicals or unnatural bleaching agents.
5. Antioxidants for Healthier Gums
Another factor that makes TwigBrush effective is its antioxidant content.
The natural antioxidants in the Salvadora persica tree help protect your gums and oral tissues from oxidative stress.
Healthy gums are a key part of a bright smile, and by keeping them healthy, TwigBrush helps create a more vibrant, glowing smile.
6. Clinically Supported Benefits
Research has shown that using miswak (or TwigBrush) regularly can lead to significant improvements in oral hygiene.
Studies indicate that miswak users have less plaque, healthier gums, and lower rates of tooth decay.
The mechanical cleaning action of the fibers combined with its antibacterial properties make it a highly effective tool for overall oral care.
You're not just whitening your teeth—you're improving your oral health, too.
History:
TwigBrush, more commonly known as "miswak," is a twig or branch from the Salvadora Persica tree and has been used as a natural oral hygiene solution for thousands of years.
Before the advent of toothpaste, people in the 1900s were using soap in their mouth to clean it.
It was only about 80 years ago that they removed soap and replaced it with chemicals that remove grease from hair scalps.
The irony is all the useful ingredients in toothpaste are already naturally occurring in the TwigBrush.
Everything else is just a bunch of sweeteners, plastics, and phthalates to give you a "fresher" experience but have nothing to do with cleaning your teeth.
Not All Twigs Are Created The Same
The reason TwigBrush works is rooted in its natural properties.
From its gentle abrasive power thanks to silica and sodium bicarbonate to its antibacterial action and antioxidant-packed resins,
there are many types of species of teeth-cleaning twigs and chewing sticks through different cultures and regions.
Each species has different distinct properties and flavors; some are sweet, some are bitter, some are more stringy than others.
The miswak from the Salvadora persica is by far the one that has the most scientific research backing it and is more of an all-rounder in my opinion.
So, make sure you find the one that works for you and try a bunch!
Hope this has encouraged you to explore new ways of living, and I would love to hear about your own experiments with teeth twigs.