The toothbrush plant.

The toothbrush plant is a low-growing shrub that is found throughout Africa and the Middle East. It is used by the native peoples as a chew stick for cleaning their teeth. When the end of the wood is chewed, it becomes frayed and can be used as a natural brush that delivers therapeutic minerals and chemicals, present in the wood fiber to the teeth and gingiva. The use of this wood for oral care could be a great benefit to people in industrialized nations.