Muslims, any of you use miswak?

Question

I use a regular old toothbrush and toothpaste but also use miswak. I find it actually makes my teeth feel better than a reg. old toothbrush/paste.

What about you? Have you at least tried it? I remember I thought it might be a bit odd at first but the results were amazing. :D

Wise J, Miswak is all natural. Why add to landfills and such? It also has tons of ingredients that are good for your teeth in it that aren't always in toothpastes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miswak (scientific study said it is better than a toothrbush if you know how to use it)

http://www.survivorsareus.com/index.cfm/Miswak_Siwak_Sewak

From my experience in the US you can find them some places and have a hard time in other places. Sometimes ppl bring a box to the mosque and you can pick one up there. And I have never seen a "Salafi" mosque either, and I have lived in Europe too....but anyway. You guys can buy them on the internet too if you cannot find them! Sometimes they sell them in bulk.

Answer 1

I think it is a great idea if you can get hold of one. I don't think we have these in the UK but will keep looking. Thanks for the reminder :)

There has been quite a bit of scientific interest in the miswak, which is scientifically known as Salvadora persica. So much so that here in the UK a company makes a toothpaste with an extract of miswak (Salvadora persica) and this toothpaste is also SLS free and they do a complementary mouthwash.
http://www.sarakan.co.uk/

In a study conducted by Swedish researchers on Saudi volunteers, miswak was shown to be at least as effective as toothbrushing for reducing plaque and gingivitis, and it was concluded that the antimicrobial effect of S. persica is beneficial for prevention/treatment of periodontal disease. The study suggested that oral hygiene may be improved by complementing traditional miswak use with modern toothbrushing. Moreover, miswak (S. persica) is shown to be better for controlling Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans in subgingival plaque over toothbrush use. A. actinomycetemcomitans is an infectious agent implicated in peridontal disease.
Refs:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=15560804
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=15224592&ordinalpos=8&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/picrender.fcgi?artid=228652&blobtype=pdf

Thanks :)

Answer 2

I use both.

Who says you can't find it in Europe? When I was in Europe I was buying miswaks, so I know. But maybe they don't search in "salafi" mosques....heheheheheh;) Most of "salafi" mosques have them. I don't know about the USA though.

I've seen miswaks in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Bosnia, Serbia, Italy... Almost any place that has salafiyya has miswaks too:) Don't worry, nobody will bite your head off in a salafi mosque;)

In Europe miswaks cost from 1 to 1.5 Euro, in the UK they are normally GBP 1. Of course that's more expensive then over here in Asia or in the Middle East, but there is something called transport cost.

If you still can't find miswaks in Europe, let me know, some of my friends are miswak dealers.

Zene, which part of the UK are you staying in?

Answer 3

Miswak is a wonderful thing. I may have tried when I was a child. But due to the influence of current society, and inventions, I use tooth brush. I honestly do not know if there is any difference. As long you brush your teeth propely. I believe Muhammed(pbuh) used miswak because nylon and artifical nylon thread or strands were not invented then. If it were invented in His time, I am sure He would have used it. But Allah only knows.

Come to think of it, brush is just new, improved version of a Miswak


very good question

Answer 4

Yes Miswaks are so much better than the toothbrush. I find that whenever I use my teeth are cleaner, smoother and whiter! However I don't use it as often as I should. Mashallah my dad uses the miswaak before every salaat.

Answer 5

I use miswak in addition to regular brushing. It does leave a nice taste, and also I believe it has benefits to your health, from swallowing the, I guess its sap. I buy it at one or two of our local stores where we buy Halal meat and stuff. It's at just about every Islamic, IndoPak, and Middle Eastern store in the Houston area...

Answer 6

yeah, but sadly not often :-(

it's great, Subhan Allah, with all these inventions to our teeth, it's still the Miswak has its great effect on my teeth.

it also leaves a nice smell in the mouth, Subhan Allah.
nothing better than things used by our prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

Answer 7

same here, i use them both, but a miswak has many more advantages than a good ol toothbrush

Answer 8

I use it but find it a bit time consuming having two boys makes my hands full ... all the time ... my husband uses it and I have been told if you use it during Wudu ... The Dua you make after wards get accepted sooner ...

Answer 9

Any Western Muslim who wants a Miswak, send me your mailing address and I'll send you one for free.. It's not sold in Europe or America...

~Edit:

Not email Marhama.. Mailing Address of letters, Like B.O Box 55, etc...

Answer 10

Both tooth brush and miswak