Entry for May 30, 2006

I mentioned to a friend of mine about my allergies to plastic chemicals in a toothbrush. Am I supposed to stop brushing my teeth all together? He tells me about a natural toothbrush that is used in muslim religion called a Miswaak and he can get me one.

Miswaak: An Oral Health Device
Preliminary Chemical and Clinical Evaluation

A variety of oral hygiene measures have been used since the dawn of time. This has been verified by various excavations done all over the world, in which toothpicks, chewsticks, tree twigs, linen strips, bird feathers, animal bones and porcupine quills were recovered.

Those that originated from plants are tasty twigs and although primitive they represented a transitional step towards the modern toothbrush. It has been stated that about seventeen plants could be enumerated as natural sources for several of these oral hygiene devices.

The most widely used tree twigs since early times is the Siwak or Miswaak. The stick is obtained from a plant called Salvadore Persica that grows around Mecca and the Middle East area in general. It is widely used among Muslims after Prophet Mohammed realised its value as a device which should be used by Muslims to clean their teeth. In this respect he is considered the first dental educator in proper oral hygiene.

Advantages of the Miswaak:

1. Miswaak strengthens the gums and prevents tooth decay.
2. Miswaak assists in eliminating toothaches and prevents further decay.
3. Miswaak creates a fragrance in the mouth.
4. Miswaak is a cure for illness.
5. Miswaak eliminates bad odors and improves the sense of taste.
6. Miswaak sharpens the memory.
7. Miswaak is a cure for headaches.
8. Miswaak creates lustre (noor) on the face of the one who continually uses it.
9. Miswaak causes the teeth to glow.
10. Miswaak strengthens the eyesight.
11. Miswaak assists in digestion.
12. Miswaak clears the voice.

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