Miswak Sticks can be used for many purposes as follows:
1. Less plaque and bacteria
2. Fights cavities and tooth decay
3. Whitens teeth
4. Makes gums strong
5. Promotes fresh breath
6. Eco-friendly and natural
7. Saves money
Miswak – History and Importance in Islam
With a history of more than 7,000 years, it is a traditional yet effective way of cleaning your teeth. Before the emergence of oral hygiene tools and products, miswak stick was used to keep teeth clean and gums strong. Looking at the bristles of the toothbrush, it is evident that it takes inspiration from miswak.
The use of miswak is recommended in Islam as well. Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) used miswak and recommended it to Muslims several times in hadith. Due to this, miswak is more common in Muslim majority countries such as the Middle East, Pakistan, Malaysia, etc.
How to use Miswak?
The best thing is, it’s easy to use. Miswak doesn’t require the use of toothpaste. Here is a simple guide to help you.
Step 1
Get a miswak stem and cut off half an inch of the twig using a knife.
Step 2
After trimming it, chew on it until it starts forming bristles. After all, miswak is known as a chewing stick for a reason.
Step 3
Soak the bristles side of the stem in water or rosewater for about 8 hours. You only need to soak it once before using it. To reuse it, you may skip this step unless it gets dry.
Step 4
Use the miswak on your teeth just like a toothbrush. Using toothpaste isn’t required, but you can if you wish to.
Step 5
After using the miswak for 5 days, trim it again with a knife or scissors and repeat the steps above.
Ingredients in Miswak
Now the question is, what makes miswak effective? It has several ingredients that aim to promote oral health. Here is the list of active agents present in miswak that make it a useful natural product to keep your oral health intact.
Resins – protects teeth against dental caries by forming a layer around the enamel
Silica – fights against plaque and has a whitening effect
Alkaloids – anti-bacterial and anti-fungal effect on the teeth.
Sulfur – anti-bacterial properties to protect the teeth from bacteria.
Vitamin C – aids tissue repair and prevents damage
Calcium – provides mineralization to the enamel
Fluoride and chloride – Assists in mineralization and is vital for oral hygiene
Tannic Acid or Tannins – decreases the development of plaque and gingivitis
Sodium Bicarbonate – a natural teeth whitener
Essential oils – Provides fresh aroma that keeps bad breath away and stimulates the production of saliva
Is Miswak better than routine teeth cleaning methods?
Many studies back the use of miswak as a viable tool for dental hygiene. It can be used alone or can be an addition to your current oral care regimen.
The benefits of miswak are too good to ignore. All-natural products are better for oral hygiene than commercial ones. It can also help prevent many dental issues and has active ingredients to address almost all things that may cause wear and tear to the teeth. We would recommend at least try using it to see its effect on your teeth yourself.