المملكة: Ramadan advice .. Video Dentist for “Today”: Miswak is worship and cleanliness

Miswak is one of the oldest means of oral health care, as a person has used it for centuries as a natural means of cleaning teeth and gums, and it has a special place in Islam as a confirmed prophetic year.
The Prophet ﷺ was recommended by its many health benefits, as he said: “Were it not for me to be hard on my nation, I would have commanded them to miswak at every prayer.”
With the entry of the blessed month of Ramadan, attention to oral hygiene becomes necessary, due to the long hours of fasting that may lead to dry mouth and the accumulation of bacteria, which may cause an improper smell.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdvux8z700

Essential care

Dr. Abdul Rahman bin Dahham Al -Sahan, a specialist and associate professor in community health, stressed that caring for the health of the mouth during the month of Ramadan is necessary to maintain the health of teeth and gums, especially since refraining from eating and drinking for long hours leads to dry mouth, which creates an ideal environment for the growth of bacteria that cause the smell of unpopular mouth.
He adds that toothpicks is an excellent choice for fasting people because of its natural properties that help clean the teeth and reduce the accumulation of bacteria, but it cannot be a substitute for toothpaste and brush, because they provide deeper cleaning and reach all areas of the mouth, including the rear molars that you may not be able to clean well.

Natural formula

Al -Saan pointed out that toothpicks are characterized by its natural formula that contains antibacterial substances that help reduce the growth of germs inside the mouth.
Its fine fibers also act as a natural exfoliation that removes food residue and plaque from the surface of the teeth, which reduces the risk of tooth decay. In addition, toothpicks helps stimulate salivation, which contributes to reducing the dry mouth that may be caused by fasting, and it also gives the mouth a natural recovery without the need to use water or toothpaste.
Despite these benefits, the toothpick does not contain fluoride, which is the primary element in toothpaste that strengthens the enamel of the teeth and protects it from caries. Also, brushing teeth and paste ensures that lime and plaque are removed more effectively, which makes dependence on toothpicks alone insufficient to obtain integrated oral cleaning.

More effective

Al -Saan explained that the use of toothpicks is more effective at certain times during the day, as it is preferable to use it after suhoor to ensure the beginning of the day with a clean mouth, and after breakfast and after eating to maintain the health of the teeth and prevent the accumulation of bacteria, as well as after each prayer followed the Prophet’s Sunnah, which helps in maintaining the oral hygiene continuously.
Dr. Al -Saan pointed out that the toothpaste contains fluoride with a high concentration, which is an essential element to protect and strengthen the teeth from decay, while toothpicks does not provide this protection in the same degree.
He continued that brushing teeth and putty are more inclusive, as it reaches the areas that the toothpicks may be able to clean well, such as the rear molars and the narrow angles between the teeth. In addition, removal of lime and plaque needs deeper cleaning that cannot be achieved with a toothpick alone, which is provided by the brush and putty thanks to its effective composition that helps in breaking up the accumulated deposits on teeth and gums.

Best care

To achieve the best oral care during the month of Ramadan, Dr. Al -Saan recommends using toothpicks during the fasting hours to maintain the oral cleanliness and recovery, taking care to brush teeth and putty after suhoor and before bed to ensure that lime and bacteria are completely removed.
It is also advised to use a toothpaste that contains fluoride to enhance the health of the teeth and protect it from caries, and not to neglect the cleaning of the tongue, as it can be one of the main causes of the smell of the mouthless mouth.

A healthy habit and a prophetic year

Dr. Al -Saan emphasized that the toothpicks are not just a healthy habit, but rather a confirmed prophetic year that contributes to maintaining the recovery of mouth and dental hygiene during the hours of fasting. But it does not need toothpaste and brush. Rather, it should be part of an integrated oral care routine, ensuring dentist cleaning, preventing caries, and enjoying the same refreshing throughout the holy month.
So, following this integrated routine not only helps in caring for oral health, but also enhances a feeling of comfort and confidence during fasting, which makes Ramadan more healthy and refreshing.