₦airaland Forum

In recent months, the soaring cost of basic commodities, including toothpaste, has forced many Nigerians to revert to traditional practices, such as using chewing sticks to maintain oral hygiene.

With toothpaste prices skyrocketing, families across the country are turning to more affordable alternatives to manage their finances amidst the harsh economic conditions.

Chewing sticks, which have long been used in Nigeria for their medicinal and antibacterial properties, are making a comeback.


For many families, the price of toothpaste, which can now exceed N5,000 for a supply that lasts less than two weeks, has become a luxury they can no longer afford.

As a result, people like Mr. Vincent Osamese and Miss Adunni Hungbo have reverted to using chewing sticks, citing the financial relief it provides.

Osamese, a photographer, shared his experience with Vanguard: “A few months ago, I introduced the use of a chewing stick in my house when I realized I was spending N4,000 on toothpaste in just three weeks.


“My children use toothpaste like water, and my wife initially objected, but after experiencing the cost firsthand, she switched to chewing sticks herself.”


Similarly, Hungbo, a trader, noted how the sudden increase in toothpaste prices led her to find an alternative.

“The toothpaste I used to buy for N1,500 was now N2,000. I couldn’t afford it, so I switched to a chewing stick for N100, and it’s been working fine for me,” she said.


As Nigeria’s inflation and economic struggles persist, more families are looking for ways to cut costs.


Mr. Fehintola Ademide, a plumber, stated: “With rising fuel prices and the general cost of living, it’s becoming impossible to afford basic things.


“Toothpaste is just one of many items affected. I’ve switched to chewing sticks, and my wife has introduced powder paste for the children.”

Chewing sticks, derived from plants with medicinal properties such as Garcinia kola and Anogeissus leiocarpus, have been proven to have significant antibacterial activity.

According to research by the National Library of Medicine, these sticks are effective against various bacteria, including those associated with dental diseases.


For families like Maureen Agu’s, chewing sticks have become a practical and affordable solution.

“Myself and my two grown children now use chewing sticks, and I’ve introduced powder paste for my younger kids. We all have to cut costs wherever we can,” she said.

This shift toward traditional methods of oral care reflects the larger economic pressures facing Nigerians today.

As costs continue to rise, many are being forced to adapt to practices to save cost and survive the harsh economic conditions in the country.

Source : https://politicsnigeria.com/nigerians-dump-toothpastes-turn-to-chewing-sticks-as-economic-hardship-bites-harder/

I can't believe I'll be alive to witness this! I think Tinubu is going the Joseph Stalin way by weaponizing poverty.

I've said it before, for you to be a Tinubu supporter you must have 1 or all or these:

1. You must hate the truth

2. You must be a liar

3. You must hate a certain tribe

4. You must be heartless and very wicked

5. You must like oppression

What about people their teeth are permanently ruined?

Signs of the Great Tinubulation

Lies. This can never be true, let all these reporters stop over exaggerating things abeg.

vanbonattel:


What about people their teeth are permanently rained?

Lols..

.allah will polish punish their teeth..

..MU-MU ticket on teeth things..

.allah Akbar...

We are in a hot pot of soup.

Prices have skyrocketed beyond the reach of the common man, yet salaries remain the same for most people.

This is systemic enslavement, we are being pauperized by this heartless government on daily basis.

But this is a lie

thats good....we have enough local products in nigeria....
i met nigerians in europe that were still usin chewin sticks....they said its better....

This article is poorly written.

First there is nothing in the way of statistics, something like 'in 2019 60% of Nigerians used toothpaste , but since 2023 it has dropped to 20%' things

All we have are a series of anecdotes. Useful yes, but not great.

I am not denying the point of the report, and Nigeria does have a dental hygiene problem, but let's have some statistics to back up the claim, not anecdotes

nairalanda1:
This article is poorly written.

First there is nothing in the way of statistics, something like 'in 2019 60% of Nigerians used toothpaste , but since 2023 it has dropped to 20%' things

All we have are a series of anecdotes. Useful yes, but not great.

I am not denying the point of the report, and Nigeria does have a dental hygiene problem, but let's have some statistics to back up the claim, not anecdotes

"Shey nah statistics we wan chop"?
Why will you be needing statistics?

phorget:
"Shey nah statistics we wan chop"?
Why will you be needing statistics?

You can ask the tinubu supporters that, darling

son

Na lie be this abeg.

God forbid

My situation and those of my loved ones can never reach this situation

You can vote him in 2027 if you wish. But after voting him, anything you see, don't blame God.

Una never see anything

We warned Nigerians before the presidential election that tinubu will bring tears and sorrow if he's made president, oya see am na

Basic stuff, ain't basic anymore. Lord have mercy

Nor be who see food chop go brush teeth?
Moosleems don de do 11months ramaddan fasting by fire by force lol
I like how Tinubu is dealing with everyone, I only pity the people that didn't vote for him but are having to suffer for the stoopeedity of the people that did.


Epele tiyin oooooooooo, Tinubu till 2031

nairalanda1:
This article is poorly written.

First there is nothing in the way of statistics, something like 'in 2019 60% of Nigerians used toothpaste , but since 2023 it has dropped to 20%' things

All we have are a series of anecdotes. Useful yes, but not great.

I am not denying the point of the report, and Nigeria does have a dental hygiene problem, but let's have some statistics to back up the claim, not anecdotes

Uncle, no be statistics we go chop according to Tinubu. More Nigerians are porting to chewing sticks.

The plan is to make our teeth same as his

Hard times requires functional thinking.

Nigerian government has set the country back to the pre-independence era cos all these archaic stuffs used to be the commonplace back then. Nigerians now use lantern, firewood, etc due to hardship. Amazingly, Benin republic, the so called mushroom country isn't experiencing any of these weird stuffs , talk more of Ghana where PZ and co, now manufacture the toothpaste that we use in Nigeria from.

They'd still ask their gullible supporters to be patient with them . Those who are born slaves . The buhari administration said same and here is where we are today.

Ba mi Allah beggars Republic.
Who in 2014 did not know that APC is an Islamists political party?

Who are the Nigerians . Abeg o. I still buy and use toothpaste , same as all the people and house holds i know and see everywhere i go. Though price may have gone up. But there are new entry brands with cheaper prices in the market.

Can you imagine !?

Times are triple hard in the country and it is not even an exaggeration. I pray that future Nigerians/Nairalanders that may see these messages/posts/comments (both here and other social platforms) never repeat the same political mistakes that we made. The 2015 presidential election really changed the destiny of the country. All round divisions (ethnic/religious/political/etc) has never been witnessed as it is now...

Na wa oo

After Buhari took us backward in time. Tinubu drove us further backwards.
Another evidence of how things are backward in 3D is that assets, computers and machineries of years ago and past generations which should be depreciating are appreciating because of our currency