Chewing sticks common in India and the Middle East showed good antibacterial properties against common bacteria found in mouth, according to a recent study I found in PubMed.gov. The study was done in India by the Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry. The published research concluded that:
…neem showed the most antimicrobial activity against S mutans, while miswak (peelu) extracts showed superior antimicrobial activity against L acidophilus