Miswaak: The natural toothbrush
[From: Al Jumu'ah Magazine]
The Miswaak was known before Islam, but Islam added a religious perspective to its usage.
The Prophetic guidance:
The
Prophet Muhammad sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his
mention ) recommended Muslims to clean their teeth using a Miswaak every
day; especially upon waking up, when performing ablution, before
prayer, when reciting the Quran, before sleeping, when entering the
house, and when the mouth has a foul odor.
There are many Prophetic narrations that talk about Miswaak. Following are some of them:
‘Aa'ishah
may Allaah be pleased with her related that the Prophet sallallaahu
`alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) said: "Ten
things are part of one’s natural disposition: Trimming the moustache,
growing a beard, (using) the Miswaak, sniffing water, cutting the nails,
washing hands, plucking armpits, shaving pubic hair, and conserving
water." [Muslim]
Furthermore, he sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) highlighted its importance, saying: "If
it were not that it would create hardship for my people, I would have
ordered them to use the Miswaak with every ablution and with every
prayer." [Al-Bukhaari]
Medical discoveries:
The
Miswaak is a natural tool for brushing the teeth. It is taken from the
roots and branches of particular desert trees. It differs from one
region to another, but in Arabia and Asia it is taken from the Arak
tree. This is the most famous variety, and is the kind that was used by
the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention
).
Its scientific name is Salvadora
Persica. It is a tree that grows in hot equatorial countries, especially
in desert valleys. It is widespread in the South of Saudi Arabia,
Yemen, Sudan, Egypt, and elsewhere.
Salvador
Persica is an upright evergreen small tree or shrub, seldom more than
one foot in diameter, reaching a maximum height of three meters. The
leaves are small, oval, thick and succulent with a strong smell of cress
or mustard.
The Miswaak is also obtained from other trees. In Africa, for example, it is cut from Lime and Orange trees, and in America some are cut from the Senna tree.
The Miswaak is also obtained from other trees. In Africa, for example, it is cut from Lime and Orange trees, and in America some are cut from the Senna tree.
As
the Arak tree is so well-known, and as it was the kind that the Prophet
sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) used, it
has been scientifically studied. The following summarize the various
discoveries regarding Miswaak.
Health effects of Miswaak:
Physically,
the Miswaak is a natural toothbrush. It is composed of a compact group
of minute natural fibers that perform exactly the same function as a
normal toothbrush except that it is made of natural rather than plastic
fibers. For this reason it may be more gentle on the gums.
Miswaak's
natural toothpaste is made up of many substances that are important for
cleaning teeth. Many researchers have studied the Miswaak in depth, and
have proven that Miswaak contains over ten different natural chemical
compounds considered essential for good oral and dental hygiene.
They
are: fluoride, silica, tannic acid, resins, alkaloids (salvadorine),
volatile oils (sinigrin), sulfur vitamin C, sodium bicarbonate,
chlorides, calcium, benzylisothiocyanate (BIT), and others including
salicylic acids, sterols, trimethylamine, saponins, flavenoids.
Some
of these components are stain removers and teeth whiteners, some
protect teeth against caries, some are bactericidal and antiseptic, some
help in healing and to repair tissues, some promote remineralization
(building) of tooth enamel, and some give the pleasant taste and smell.
Cytotoxicity:
Cytotoxicity:
Results
of cytotoxictests showed no cytotoxic (cell damaging) effects from
using freshly cut Miswaak. However, the same plant used 24 hours after
cutting did contain harmful components. Based on these findings,
researchers recommend cutting the used portion of the Miswaak after it
has been used for a day and preparing a fresh part.
Scientific comparison between Miswaak and toothbrushes:
A
clinical trial study on Ethiopian schoolchildren, comparing Miswaak
with the conventional toothbrush, found Miswaak to be as effective as
the toothbrush in removing oral deposits. The study also found
instruction and supervision to be important since the children in the
sample were not familiar with techniques for using Miswaak.
How to use Miswaak:
The
method of preparing a Miswaak for use is to cut a branch or root of the
Arak tree into pieces between 10 cm and 20cm in length, and between 4mm
and 14mm in diameter. Occasionally some are thicker than this.
Fresh
Miswaak is brown in color, with a hot, pleasant taste. People usually
strip off some of the Miswaak's thin bark from one end, then chew that
end a little to separate the fibers so that they become like the fibers
of a normal toothbrush. They then use it to brush their teeth.
Length and diameter:
A
length of 15cm is recommended, which is convenient to grip, and easy to
manipulate in a confined space. The diameter is normally less than 1
centimeter, which provides a supple stick firm enough to transmit the
pressure of the cleansing action to the teeth without breaking.
Freshness:
Miswaak should be freshly cut so that it is supple, easily chewed, and
still rich in active constituents. The root should be whitish-brown in
color; a dark brown color indicates that the Miswaak is no longer fresh.
If
a stick is dry, the end for chewing should initially be soaked in fresh
water for 24 hours. It should be noted that soaking for unduly long
periods causes loss of active constituents and diminishes the
therapeutic properties, although the mechanical effects on the teeth can
still occur.
The end: Before Miswaak is
used, the end should be washed with water. It is then chewed repeatedly
until the fibers stand out like the bristles of a toothbrush. These
fibers should be trimmed every 24 hours.
Brushing technique:
Brushing technique:
The
techniques employed for removing plaque mechanically are similar to
that for the toothbrush and the chewing stick; i.e., vertical and
horizontal brushing. The cleaning movement should always be directed
away from the gingival margin of the teeth (away from the gums) on both
the buccal (outer cheek) and lingual (inner cheek) surfaces.
Care
should be taken to avoid damaging the soft tissues of the mouth.
Satisfactory cleaning can be achieved if this procedure is followed for
five minutes.
There are two basic holds:
Pen-grip (three-finger) or palm-grip (five finger-grip). In each case
the aim is to ensure firm but controlled movement of the brush end of
the Miswaak within the oral cavity, so that every area of the mouth is
reached with relative ease and convenience.
When to use Miswaak:
In
general, the Miswaak should be used a minimum of five times a day (i.e.
before each prayer). However it is recommended to use it all the time,
whenever possible.
Common mistakes in Miswaak use:
1. The end is either too thin or too thick.2. Keeping it in the mouth while doing other things.
3. Not cutting the end every day.
4. Forgetting that teeth have five faces (inner, outer, two sides, and biting/chewing face), and only using Miswaak to clean the outer faces.
