Benefits of Miswak, also known as the Arak tree Salvadora persica
Miswak between the past and the present: Miswak remains one of the most important personal hygiene tools
What are the benefits of Miswak and how is it used today?
Oral health has always been linked to general human health. Daily care for the health of teeth and gums is undoubtedly the basic key to maintaining oral health, healthy gums, and obtaining a pleasant and fresh breath.
What is Miswak?
The Siwak is a natural plant stick about the size of a pencil, 15 to 20 cm long, and 1 to 1.5 cm in diameter. It is extracted from the "Arak" tree, also known as Salvadora persica, or the toothbrush tree.
Miswak in Islam:
Authentic Hadiths have been reported from the Messenger of Allah - peace and blessings be upon him - regarding the virtue of the Siwak and the encouragement to use it. Among these is what the two Sheikhs, Al-Bukhari and Muslim, narrated in the Sahihs from the Prophet - peace and blessings be upon him - that he said:
(Were it not that I would make it difficult for my nation, I would have commanded them to use the Siwak at every prayer).
And his saying as well:
(The Siwak is purifying for the mouth, pleasing to the Lord)
The importance of Miswak in modern science:
Scientific studies have proven that the Siwak possesses antibacterial, antifungal, anti-caries, and anti-plaque properties. According to studies as well, the Siwak has an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect, and the cleaning efficiency of the Siwak may be greater than that of a toothbrush.
Characteristics of Miswak:
Evidence from scientific studies supports that the Siwak is considered an effective tool in oral hygiene, not only because of its excellent efficiency in removing plaque, but also due to its multiple benefits, low cost, and high effectiveness in oral hygiene, which surpasses traditional oral cleaning tools such as the toothbrush. The Siwak also has a unique chemical composition that gives it a disinfectant and beneficial effect on the health of gums and teeth, as it contains many active substances, whereas most mouthwashes and toothpastes do not possess more than two or three of the active components of Miswak.
Benefits of Miswak:
Miswak fights tooth decay as it increases saliva formation, preventing tartar accumulation.
Miswak works to whiten teeth due to the action of chlorides, fluoride, and silica.
Miswak protects against gum infections due to sterols, which work to strengthen capillaries.
Eliminating bad breath due to the compounds it contains that produce mild, pleasant odors inside the mouth.
A feeling of freshness thanks to the refreshing taste and scent that enhances the feeling of cleanliness and good breath.
After summarizing the benefits of Miswak, let us learn more about how Miswak is used in a modern way
Modern applications of using Miswak:
Recently, Miswak powder has been used with raw natural silica in manufacturing the Smart Miswak Toothbrush which consists of tapered and flexible bristles that reach all places in the mouth, resulting in good and positive cleaning results using only water, without using toothpaste.
