8 Amazing Health Benefits Of Miswak

When it comes to oral hygiene, many advanced toothpaste formulations claim to help you out! However, certain traditional roots and herbs like miswak can strengthen your teeth and gums naturally! Miswak benefits your oral health in more than one way! The miswak twig acts not only as a cleansing agent but also as an effective toothbrush! It has been a traditional practice for dental hygiene for centuries! So next time you are bothered with tooth pain or bleeding gums, try focusing on strengthening your roots the ancient way! Not only will it help you avoid unnecessary chemicals, but also help nourish your teeth and gum health naturally! Here in this article, we have listed down the many benefits of miswak and how you can use it for that ever-shining bright smile!

Know Your Ingredient: Miswak

What Is It?
A natural teeth-cleaning stick made from the Salvadora persica tree.

What Are Its Benefits?
It may fight tooth decay, prevent plaque build-up, strengthen gums, and leave a refreshing aftertaste in the mouth.

Who Can Use It?
Anyone looking for a natural tooth-cleansing product can use Miswak for oral care.

How Often?
You can use it after every meal to maintain oral hygiene.

Caution
While Miswak is safe to use, it is recommended to replace it periodically to avoid any adverse effects.

8 Amazing Health Benefits Of Miswak

History of Miswak – Keeping The Dentist Away Since 5000 BCE

So, what is miswak? Well, miswak is a twig that helps in cleaning teeth and has been used for this purpose for over 7000 years now! (Faint recollections of people in rural areas with a ‘stick’ in their mouths early in the mornings? Yes, now you get it).

Combining the functions of a toothbrush and toothpaste, Miswak’s antibacterial properties have saved many a people from cases of dreadful tooth decay and worse across the centuries. Reportedly, Miswak stick has been in use right since the time of the ancient Babylonians and Egyptians. Which would mean that this humble chew stick is older than Queen Cleopatra? Which in turn means that every time you use Miswak, you’d in fact be brushing with a piece of history!

Scientific Name

Although chew sticks can be made from many commonly occurring plants, such as olive trees, Miswak is most generally associated with the Salvadora persica tree, commonly known as ‘arak’ in Arabic.

Scientific Research

In multiple studies done by the WHO and other independent health organizations, it has been found that people who used Miswak on a regular basis require much lesser dental care than those who used toothpastes and powders.

(1)

Research has established that regular use of Miswak has a therapeutic effect on gingivalⁱ  A kind of gum condition that results in irritated gums. Symptoms include large, bloated, sensitive gums that bleed readily. disease, and acts against multiple gum disease causing organisms such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans etcetera. (2)(3)A recent study by Patel PV et al, has found that when used as an adjunct to regular toothbrushes, Miswak helped record a noticeable improvement in plaque score and gingivalⁱ  A kind of gum condition that results in irritated gums. Symptoms include large, bloated, sensitive gums that bleed readily. health. (4)

Apart from this, using Miswak on a regular basis has a host of other benefits too as we shall see shortly.

Importance In Islam

Ever since its origin 7000 years ago, the use of Miswak has never been discontinued. A huge part of the credit for this goes to Islamic jurisprudence that has regularly exhorted its laity regarding good practices associated with using Miswak. The Prophet himself is said to have used ‘twigs made from the Arak tree’, and as such, their use finds mention in the hadiths concerning the Prophet’s life as a prophetic medicine.

Using Miswak on Fridays, before and after going on journeys, before religious practices etcetera, is recommended by hadith, and this Islamic tradition is faithfully adhered to by millions of inhabitants across the Arabian peninsula, North Africa, Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and their diaspora, till today.

Active Ingredients In Miswak

A raging question by this point would be – what is it about Miswak that makes it all-so-effective? The answer to this question lies in its active ingredients. While most oral disinfectants such as toothpastes, mouthwashes, and tooth powders, build their entire advertising campaigns around just one or two key ingredients such as silica, Miswak has a set of 19 active ingredients that actively provides holistic health of your mouth as it promotes stronger teeth, while also maintaining oral health.

• Alkaloids—Salvadorine, Trimethylamine—have an antibacterial effect
• Silica—natural abrasive, removes stains
• Calcium, Chlorides, Fluorides—important for dental care. Flouride helps in remineralizing the tooth structure.
• Sulphur
• Vitamin C
• Resins—Form a protective layer over the enamel to prevent the formation of caries
• Tannins—Function as a natural astringent, stimulate premolar saliva production
• Saponins, Flavonoidsⁱ  A collection of organic compounds with anti-inflammatory properties that are widely present in plant-based foods. , and Sterols in small amounts
• Essential oils—impart a mild taste and fragrance, provide fresh breath, stimulate the production of saliva, and help relieve flatulence

Why It is Called A Truly Safe And Effective Natural Toothbrush

Brushing our teeth twice a day with a streak of shiny white toothpaste (or the zany, red crystals one) is a habit that has been inculcated in most of us right since early childhood. The accepted wisdom behind this practice has been that toothpastes are essential to oral hygiene. Granted. But considering that the first toothpaste was invented sometime in the mid nineteenth century, using chew sticks, or Miswak, is a traditional knowledge that has benefited scores of people over centuries.

With the goodness of a host of naturally occurring active ingredients and zero chemical formulations, eco-friendly Miswak is safe to use and can be used by both adults and children alike. This is in direct contrast to the commercially available toothbrushes and toothpastes that need to be used with extreme caution, especially with younger children, for fear of conditions like fluorosisⁱ  Ingesting an excessive amount of fluoride when the teeth are still growing can lead to this cosmetic condition in kids. etcetera.

A meta-analysis conducted on 10 randomized controlled trials showed that Miswak sticks offer similar plaque reduction to brushing and may reduce plaque-induced gingivitis when used along with a toothbrush. Miswak offered similar outcomes to toothbrushing with a mean plaque score of 0.08 and a mean gingivitis score of 0.37. When used in addition to toothbrushing, the reduced mean plaque score was 0.01 and the reduced gingivitis score was 0.04.

Miswak can also be used comfortably as a natural toothbrush thanks to its effectiveness, to know more about which, we suggest you read our next section about benefits of miswak!

Benefits Of Miswak

What are the benefits of using ‘Miswak’ over a regular toothbrush? Between a regular toothbrush and Miswak, how does Miswak score over the regular toothbrush, you ask? Without further ado then, here are the top 8 benefits to making Miswak toothbrush a part of your everyday routine-

1. Fights Tooth Decay And Cavities

One of the greatest blessings of this modern age has been the wide availability of food. Sweet, sour, tangy, bitter, farm fresh, processed—you name it, and your supermarket probably has it. But the increase in the availability of food, especially rich-in-sugar processed food, has manifested itself in the growing incidences of tooth decay in the general population.

Tooth decay occurs when enamel (the glossy white cover on your teeth) is destroyed. But how does it get destroyed despite regular brushing you ask? Simple. Our mouths harbor hundreds of different varieties of bacteria—some good, some bad. These bacteria use starch and sugar present in food to produce acid that wears off the enamel, thereby ushering in the process of decay that eventually leads to a cavity.

While most commercial toothpastes use fluoride as a means to beat this decay, another effective solution to this is right inside you in the form of your saliva. Saliva helps fight tooth decay by preventing the buildup of acid and giving your teeth time to repair themselves. Miswak has been known to increase the formation of saliva in the mouth without the need for any commercial enhancers or additives, thus naturally fighting tooth decay.

Additionally, using Miswak helps strengthen teeth enamel thanks to the sodium chloride, sodium bicarbonate and calcium oxide present in Miswak, thereby promoting tooth whitening too.

2. Protects Against Tartar And Plaque

Did you know that plaque is building up in your mouth as you read this? (No, don’t rush to rinse now, breathe).

Surprisingly enough, the formation of plaque is a common process. Plaque is what they call the colorless film of bacteria that forms on the teeth and gums as the bacteria grow and multiply. But while regular brushing can easily remove plaque, its build-up leads to the formation of ‘tartar’—a visible yellow coloration that sticks to the teeth and gums and may cause gum disease and tooth loss in the future.

The easiest way to prevent the buildup of tartar and plaque, and thereby prevent gum disease and tooth loss, is to brush regularly and in the right manner. Miswak being the famous ‘toothbrush twig’ has antibacterial properties that prevent bacteria from accumulating on the teeth and gums. Thus, it is a great home remedy to remove tartar from teeth.

3. Removes Malodor

Bad breath, medically known as halitosis, is an indicator of a multitude of dental issues. Starting from eating particularly strong foods, to gum disease, and dental cavities, bad breath is a clear warning that things are not how they should be within your mouth. A lack of the production of saliva can lead to malodor too.

Considering how there isn’t one certain cause for bad breath, an all-in-one solution can go a long way in treating this condition. Miswak’s strong antibacterial activity along with its property of enhancing saliva production in the mouth, are an effective remedy for bad breath. Additionally, since it is a naturally occurring substance, using the twig releases certain compounds that create a mild fragrance that is peculiar to Miswak.

4. Fights Harmful Bacteria And Germs

The human mouth harbors no less than 700 different strains of bacteria, not all of which are harmful. While most of the bacteria present in the mouth aid in the breakdown of food, and in many cases even help maintain healthy teeth and gums, some bacteria are bad bacteria that actively destroy the teeth and gums. Dental cavities, tartar, gum disease and periodontitis—a painful condition affecting the gums and jaw bone—are all related to bacteria residing in the mouth.

In numerous studies conducted by the World Health Organization, and other independent research groups, Miswak has been shown to contain a number of active antibacterial compounds that actively fight bacterial growth in the mouth. Also, people using Miswak on a regular basis were seen to suffer from lesser instances of oral hygiene issues than those who didn’t/used regular toothpastes and tooth powders.

4. Protects And Strengthens The Gums

Here’s a pro tip—if you’re worried about whether or not your oral health is in good shape, look at your gums. The gums are the soft tissue that surrounds the teeth and help keep them in good condition. And as such, any condition affecting the teeth is manifested in the gums too.

Plaque build up affects the gums, just as it affects the teeth. The development of plaque into tartar can affect the gums and teeth in three different ways, namely Gingivitis, Periodontitis and Advanced Periodontitis. Most of us might have experienced the sharp pain on having something too cold or hot once in a while. However, if this is a regular occurrence and is accompanied by swelling and inflammation of the gums, the condition is called Gingivitis and needs immediate attention and treatment. Untreated gingivitis with a further buildup of tartar affects the underlying bone structure causes gums to recede, dentures to change, and teeth to be lost eventually—a painful, irreversible condition known as advanced periodontitis.

Scary, right?

Thankfully for us though, Miswak comes to the rescue here too! By helping to prevent the formation of plaque, and the subsequent tartar accumulation, Miswak significantly reduces the chances of gingivitis and periodontitis keeping your gums healthy, and you happy, all through.

5. Anticarcinogenic And Analgesic

Apart from benefits of miswak in oral hygiene and health, It has certain therapeutic effects to recommend its use too. Antioxidant enzymes such as peroxidase, catalase, and polyphenoloxidase present in Miswak are said to have anti-carcinogenic properties, that is, they help prevent cancer. While it is yet to be established how effective Miswak is at fighting cancer that already exists in the body, its use as preventative care has been established via research.

Additionally, the active ingredients present in Miswak have analgesic, or pain relieving, properties that help deal with inflammation and pain, especially in the gums.

Philipp, a blogger, shared his experience of using miswak in his blog. He said, “I’ve been using Miswak for 1,5 years now. Never had any teeth pain since then (i).”

When was the last time a toothbrush could claim this?

6. Refreshing Aftertaste

A key benefit of using Miswak has been its refreshing aftertaste and fragrance. Packed with a whole load of naturally occurring volatile aromatic compounds, using Miswak promotes a feeling of cleanliness and pleasant breath that is comparable to that of any commercially available mouthwash.

Trivia

You can soak the miswak in rose water instead of regular water and then use it. This leaves behind a pleasant scent.

7. Affordable And Effective

It often stuns many first time users about how cost-effective and sustainable Miswak is. Whether you choose to use it in its original ‘toothbrush twig’ form or use formulations made from the Salvadora persica (Miswak) tree, the cost of using Miswak is substantially lower than most commercially available products. Also, considering how Miswak functions as a toothpaste-toothbrush-mouthwash all-in-one, the cost benefits of this can surely not be overlooked.

Additionally, one look at the Miswak twig is enough for anyone to get an idea as to where toothbrush manufacturers get their inspiration from. With a multitude of natural fibers acting as ‘bristles’, the Miswak twig reaches every corner and nook of the mouth for an effective cleanse.

8. May Treat Mouth Sores

Miswak is widely used for maintaining oral hygiene. It not only cleanses your mouth but may help combat mouth sores. A study was conducted on rabbits to test the effectiveness of miswak, low-level laser therapy, and high-level laser therapy on mouth ulcers. It was found that miswak was as effective at healing mouth ulcers as low-level laser therapy and high-level laser therapy (5).

Miswak extract possesses strong antibacterial properties that may help fight harmful oral bacteria and prevent plaque buildup and bad odor, which may reduce the risk of mouth diseases and infection. Moreover, its analgesic properties may help alleviate the pain caused by mouth sores (6).

Now, you know the best benefits of miswak, learn how to do miswak in the next segment.

How To Use Miswak Stick?

Miswak can either be used as a standalone, or as an adjunct to your regular toothbrush and toothpaste. To use Miswak effectively, keep these in mind.

1. To start, trim or chew off one end of your Miswak twig.
2. Continue chewing from this end till the twig becomes soft and forms bristles at the center. To enhance this process, you could soak the twig by dipping it in water for a few minutes. Some people also prefer rose water for its appealing scent.
3. Once you see individual fibers resembling ‘bristles’, brush your teeth using the twig, as you would with a regular toothbrush. Remember to not use any toothpaste though.
4. Trim or chew further up for fresh bristles whenever the existing ones are exhausted.
5. After you are done, rinse your mouth with water to remove any debris.
6. Rinse the Miswak stick under water to remove any food particles and store it in a clean, dry place to prevent contamination.

Quick Tip

Chew on the miswak twig for ten minutes after each meal. After using the miswak, thoroughly rinse your mouth to eliminate any leftovers.

Medicinal uses of other parts of Miswak (Salvadora persica)

While the Salvadora persica tree is most famous for its ‘toothbrush twigs’, other parts of the tree are just as useful too. Here’s a quick look at them.

1. Leaves—The leaves of Salvadora are consumed in the Middle East and Africa due to their astringent properties that are said to aid in digestion and metabolism. The active ingredients present in Salvadora have analgesic and diuretic properties, enabling its use in traditional treatments for piles, rheumatismⁱ  Any disease marked by inflammation and pain in the joints, muscles, or fibrous tissue. Symptoms include stiffness and pain in the joints. , and skin inflammation.
2. Fruits—A sweet alternative to the bitter leaves, the fruits too have diuretic properties, and are used in the treatment of stomach and liver ailments.
3. Bark—Bark derived from the stem and roots is different, and as such has different properties and uses. Stem bark from Salvadora helps create a decoction used in regularizing menstruation in women. Additionally, it also treats epilepsyⁱ  A neurological disorder in which the brain’s nerve cell activity is disrupted, leading to seizures. , stomach ulcers, and skin problems. A paste of the root bark is used for the treatment of gonorrheaⁱ  A sexually transmitted infection caused by bacteria that can affect both sexes. It majorly affects the throat, urethra, or rectum. .
4. Seeds—Similar to the leaves, the Salvadora seeds too are used in treating rheumatismⁱ  Any disease marked by inflammation and pain in the joints, muscles, or fibrous tissue. Symptoms include stiffness and pain in the joints. and skin inflammation. They are also used as purgatives and diuretics.
5. Essential oils—Used as insect and tick repellent.

Shoutout to Priya Nair from Valuefood for this great information!

Other Common Names Of Miswak

Miswak tree has many different names across different cultures. Miswak is commonly referred to as siwak, sewak and miswaak. However, since its cultural significance and usage is spread across different regions, namely North Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, South East Asia and the Indian subcontinent, it goes by different names according to the region, such as.

• Arak- Arabic
• Qesam- Hebrew
• Qisa- Aramaic
• Mastic- Latin
• Koyoji- Japanese, etcetera.

As one can see, Salvadora persica extract (miswak) has a great effect on oral health. Miswak definitely has a lot going for it, from protecting your gums, and preventing tooth decay and cavities, to anti-cancer effects. Miswak is all those things your regular toothbrush can never be—a true savior. It is also a great way to get white teeth overnight.

Infographic: Top Health Benefits Of Miswak

Miswak is a great alternative to a regular toothbrush. It exhibits many antibacterial and ant-fungal properties that help maintain oral health. While we have covered all the benefits of miswak in the article, you must be aware of a few important health benefits of this natural toothbrush. See the infographic below to learn about its top health benefits.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Does miswak go bad?

While Miswak stick doesn’t come with an expiry date, it does lose its freshness over time and hence, should be replaced from time to time. So, whether you source your Miswak naturally or buy it, ensure that you replace the older twigs periodically.

For how many days can we use a new miswak stick?

Depending on whether you use a natural twig, or a store bought one, most Miswak sticks can be used anywhere between a month to 40 days.

Can I use miswak everyday?

Yes. You can use miswak every day. Using it 5 times a day is better for oral hygiene.

Does miswak have fluoride?

Miswak twigs contain traces of fluoride (

Illustration: Amazing Health Benefits Of Miswak

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

A Miswak stick is said to be a hundred times more effective as a toothbrush than regular factory-manufactured ones. Watch the video below to know more about the benefits of this neem chew stick.

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Dr. Thomas ConnellyDDS

 

Practicing in Beverly Hills and Manhattan, with experience that spans more than 21 years and several Northeastern states, Dr. Thomas Connelly delivers world class dental aesthetics to patients from all walks of life. He is accredited by the American Society of Dental Aesthetics - the most prestigious and selective credentialing organization in the world for Aesthetic Dentistry - and is also a Fellow in the International Academy for Dental Facial Esthetics.

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Tanya ChoudharyHealth & Wellness Writer

 

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