Nature’s toothbrush
Brushing our teeth couldn’t be simpler! How many times have we heard someone say, “Be sure to brush your teeth”. But let’s face it, brushing two to three times a day is often inconvenient. It means carrying around a toothbrush and paste. And no one wants to carry them in a back pocket.
Licorice roots, like certain other roots and twigs, offer us an alternative. Licorice roots are safe, simple and effective tools to help us care for the health of our mouths. And, they are easy to carry around!
Don’t be fooled, we’re not talking about Twizzlers, the red or black licorice candy that’s been around for decades. Rather, roots and twigs of select medicinal herbs have been used for more than 5,000 years. They are sometimes called miswaaks, or chew sticks, or a natural toothbrush.
The roots of licorice, also known by its botanical or Latin name Glycyrrhiza glabra, come in all shapes and sizes and as can be seen, are about the size of a pencil and about the same weight too. When we purchase these roots, they’ve been cut and dried. These roots can be used like a personal toothbrush. We use one root for each person.
To begin enjoying the naturally sweet taste of a licorice root for oral care, simply begin by placing the tip of the root in the mouth – either end is fine. Some people decide to even use both ends of the root. Allow your saliva to begin to moisten the root before beginning to brush. After about a minute, use it like a toothbrush, in a gentle circular motion, brushing both teeth and gums. Carefully, move around mouth – brushing in a circular manner the “insides” and “outsides” of your teeth as well as the chewing surfaces. And don’t forget to include your gums, while remembering a gentle touch promotes tooth and gum health.
With repeated use, the ends becomes frayed. When the ends become too frayed, simply cut off the splayed fibers with scissors and continue enjoying the root.
Of course we’re all different, but generally one root will last about three months. That’s perfect, as it’s a good idea to change our toothbrushes every three months or so – and certainly after we’ve been ill.
Roots need no paste and are easy to carry around. After use, simply rinse the end of the root under water and store it upright, or carry it with you.
Roots can be purchased individually at many health food stores and Co-ops, or in bulk from organic suppliers. Likely a single root will weigh about 0.3-0.5 oz (9-15g) and will cost between $2-3 each. And they make perfect compost when they become too small to use.
Even better, like toothbrushes, licorice roots are safe for people of all ages. Enjoy!
