Chemical effects of chewing sticks made of Salvadora persica.

Objective: The chewing sticks are widely used in many regions of Asia and Africa as a traditional tool to maintain oral hygiene. Salvadora persica L. (S.

Investigations of a Possible Chemical Effect of Chewing Sticks.

is commonly used chewing sticks in many parts of the world as an oral hygiene tool. This study measured the amount of benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) released into the mouth and assessed its retention time in saliva. The study also tested if the released amount of BITC could potentially be antibacterial or cytotoxic.