Are you afraid of getting cavities in your teeth that prevent you from eating your favourite desserts? Actually, there are a lot of other tooth-related conditions that could cause discomfort eating, so it’s important to get regular check-ups from your dentist. If you’re afraid of the dentist, though, there are some natural ways to boost your oral health. Basic hygiene like brushing your teeth is incredible important, but did you know that there’s a more exotic and unique way to do it? That’s right, you can use miswak instead of regular toothpaste. It’s very safe and effective, and its oral health benefits may surprise you. To learn more, keep reading.
What is Miswak?
Miswak is a stick from the Salvadora persica tree mainly used for teeth cleaning. Available almost everywhere, it has antibacterial properties which you can use in lieu of toothpaste and toothbrush. This stick helps prevent the formation of dental plaque.
Other common names for miswak are siwak, sewak and miswaak. In Arabic, it is arak; in Japanese, it is koyoji; in Hebrew, it is qesam; and in Latin, it is mastic. Regardless of its name and place of origin, the miswak stick is truly beneficial.
Scientific Research on Miswak
Various studies conducted by the World Health Organization and other independent health organizations show that those who use miswak regularly have much less dental care needs than those who use powders and toothpaste for their oral health. Research establishes that regular miswak use has a positive effect on gingival disease, protecting against gum diseases like Porphyromonas gingivalis.
Aside from this, miswak has many more benefits that you’ll learn about shortly.
Active Ingredients in Miswak
You might be asking what exactly is in miswak to make it so amazing. Well, while most commercial oral hygiene products contain silica, miswak has 19 active components that promote stronger teeth and oral health, including:
- Essential Oils – these impart a mild taste and fragrance, and they stimulate the production of saliva and help relieve flatulence.
- Small amounts of flavonoids, sterols and saponins.
- Tannins – these mainly function as a natural astringent. They also stimulate premolar production of saliva.
- Resins – these form a protective layer over the enamel to help prevent cavities.
- Vitamin C
- Sulphur
- Chloride, calcium and fluoride – these are important for oral health.
- Silica –this acts as a natural abrasive and helps remove stains.
- Alkaloid – this has an antibacterial effect on the mouth.
Oral Health Benefits of Miswak
Here are the top oral health benefits of miswak:
It fights harmful germs and bacteria. You can use miswak to treat germs and bacteria in the mouth. Furthermore, it also helps treat painful conditions which may affect the gums and jaw bone.
It helps fight cavities and tooth decay. Miswak increases saliva production, which helps fight tooth decay. It also strengthens the enamel, which prevents cavities.
It protects and strengthens the gums. Regular miswak use gives extra protection and strength to the gums, making your teeth stronger and preventing pain when eating cold food.
It gets rid of malodor. Bad breath, or malodor, is an indicator that one is suffering a lot of dental issues. You can use miswak to treat this, as the mild fragrance of the twig helps make the mouth smell good.
It helps protect against plaque and tartar. Brushing is the easiest way to prevent the buildup of plaque and tartar. Instead of using toothpaste, you can use miswak. This will help prevent the accumulation of bacteria.
Conclusion
Miswak truly is wonderful, and its effect on oral health is amazing. You can’t go wrong with it. So, if you’re tired of using the same old toothpaste every day, try this stick out to improve your oral health!
