Amidst Nigeria's rising toothpaste costs, families are reverting to traditional chewing sticks for oral hygiene. This economic shift reflects a cultural revival as many seek affordable alternatives. Chewing sticks, rich in medicinal properties, are re-emerging as a viable and effective solution for maintaining dental health.
A great story in the Nigerian Vanguard Newspaper highlights the slow decay in the standard of living in Nigeria. The soaring cost of toothpaste has led many families to return to traditional oral hygiene practices, particularly the use of chewing sticks. With inflation making even the most basic brands unaffordable for the average household, this cultural habit—once pushed aside by modernity—has regained prominence.
As toothpaste prices have skyrocketed, ordinary citizens are forced to adapt their lifestyles. Femi, a father of three, recalls spending N4,000 on toothpaste within just three weeks. Frustrated, he and his wife turned to chew sticks, which cost significantly less and have proven effective. “Now we are using the chewing stick happily, with no fuss,” he shared.
Miss Adunni Hungbo, a trader, faced a similar price increase when she discovered her regular toothpaste had jumped from N1,500 to N2,000 in a matter of weeks. Finding a N100 chewing stick as a substitute, she remarked, “If I don’t tell you it is a chewing stick I used, you won’t know.”
For many, this change is not just about cost savings; it's a cultural revival. The medicinal properties of chewing sticks, derived from plants such as Garcinia kola and Anogeissus leiocarpus, are being recognized once more. With reports highlighting their antibacterial effectiveness against various bacteria, these traditional methods offer both an economical and health-conscious solution for Nigerians navigating tough economic times.
