Use Of Miswak Research Articles

Comparative Effectiveness of Miswak and Toothbrushing on Dental Plaque and Gingivitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

The miswak, crafted from the Salvadora persica tree, is a traditional teeth-cleaning twig that has served as a natural substitute for toothbrushes and toothpaste across diverse regions for centuries. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of miswak and a conventional toothbrush in reducing dental plaque and gingivitis over a two-week period. This two-week randomized, single-blind (clinical investigator), two-parallel-arm clinical trial was conducted at Princess Nourah University College of Dentistry (PNUCD). Stratified random sampling identified sixty participants who were then randomly assigned to two study groups: the miswak group and the toothbrushing group. To facilitate data collection, a self-designed form was employed to document participants' initials, assigned group, the Silness and Loe plaque index, and the Loe and Silness gingival index. The clinical examination, conducted by two blinded and trained examiners using a mouth mirror and explorer under natural light, aimed to assess the specified indices. The collected data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics, Version 22. Following the intervention, the miswak group exhibited no significant change in the plaque scores (p = 0.58) compared to the toothbrush group (p = 0.007). A notable rise in gingival score was observed within the miswak group (p < 0.001), whereas no significant change was noted within the toothbrush group (p = 0.52). Over a two-week period, miswak was successful in controlling dental plaque; however, gingival scores were higher, which could be attributed to the aggressive use of miswak. With proper training, the use of miswak has the potential to contribute positively to gingival health, particularly in regions where it is readily accessible and affordable.

Oral Hygiene Practices of Rural and Urban School Going Children in Punjab

Abstract: Background: The early years of life are essential for establishing a solid foundation for oral and dental health. Children with poor oral and systemic health typically have poor dietary habits and insufficient oral hygiene practices, particularly brushing. Objective: To assess and compare the oral hygiene practices of rural and urban school-going children in Punjab. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2021 to August 2022, after the approval of IRB, among five urban and five rural schools in Punjab using an interview-administered survey tool through purposive sampling of 600 students. The questionnaire was developed by the authors and validated using face validity. The data were stored and analyzed using IBM SPSS version 23. Result: A total of 650 students were approached; out of them, 600 responded. Almost one-third of them had the habit of brushing twice daily (27%), whereas most were brushing once daily (65.4%). The rural school children used miswak, manjan, and their finger more significantly; however, toothpaste was the major agent for cleaning teeth (89.4%). The urban school children were using toothbrushes more significantly. Rural school children more frequently used Miswak and finger. Urban schoolchildren often brushed at night, whereas no difference was reported between morning and nighttime. Conclusion: Most urban school children were using toothbrushes and toothpaste. The use of miswak and manjan was more common in rural areas. The most common time for brushing was morning and night. Rural areas need to have access to oral health education and subsidized toothpaste and toothbrushes.

Evaluating Oral Hygiene Practices: Tooth Brushing and Miswak Use in Dental Students at King Abdulaziz University

Evaluating Oral Hygiene Practices: Tooth Brushing and Miswak Use in Dental Students at King Abdulaziz University

Miswak: from tradition to paradigm

This review paper explores the use of miswak, a teeth-cleaning twig made from the Salvadora persica plant, in maintaining oral hygiene and preventing oral diseases. Various aspects of miswak are analyzed, including its historical significance, chemical composition, pharmacological characteristics, and beneficial effects on oral health. The paper also investigates the Islamic perspective on oral hygiene and the use of miswak, as well as the socio-medical aspect of oral disease prevention. While there are studies that point out potential drawbacks of miswak usage, proper application and combination with conventional oral hygiene methods can result in good oral health. Considering its cost-effectiveness and the need for affordable oral hygiene methods, further research on the use of miswak is valuable and necessary. This paper provides an overview of modern and relevant scientific literature on miswak and its significance in maintaining oral health, highlighting its journey from tradition to paradigm. Keywords: miswak, oral health, social medicine.

Using Promotional Strategies to Increase the Use of Miswak among Teenagers in Saudi Arabia

Miswak is a chewing stick that has been used in Muslim communities across the world for over 1,500 years as an oral hygiene aid. There is evidence to support its clinical effectiveness in plaque management when used alone or in conjunction with a conventional toothbrush. However, evidence of its deleterious effects on periodontal health is equivocal. To study culturally acceptable strategies for promoting oral health practices and preventing illness among adolescents in Saudi Arabia, advertisements were assessed for their ability to engage and open up new communication channels for oral health messages. The aim is to encourage adolescents to adopt the habit of using miswak to improve their oral hygiene, wherever they may be. The data for this study was collected from 116 teenage respondents from Saudi Arabia. The mean age of the study participants was 16.66 ± 0.943 years, with a median age of 17 and a range from 12 to 17. The study included 66 males (56.9%) and 50 females (43.1%). Furthermore, the overall mean assessments of both advertisements were negative due to several problems with the design and use of pictures in the ads. The analysis of this study show that a more standardised method of advertisement is required to properly gain the attention of this generation of adolescents in Saudi Arabia. In addition, the individuals who took part in the research believed that social media is the most suitable venue for conveying messages promoting miswak. To be able to communicate effectively about oral health messaging, one must first have a solid understanding of the advertising messages that are relevant to oral health, as well as the influence of religion. Another prerequisite for the creation of effective advertising is knowledge of media platforms and the impacts that these platforms have on the behaviour of teenagers. Successful communication could make youths in Saudi Arabia likelier to use miswak.

Knowledge about Oral Hygiene and Miswak Use among Medical Students of Pakistan

Background and Objectives: Chewing sticks are commonly used as affordable oral hygiene tool in various parts of theworld due to its antifungal, antimicrobial properties and is recommended by World Health Organization (WHO 1984). Thestudy aimed to disclose knowledge about oral hygiene and miswak use among medical&amp; dental students.Material and Methods: A valid and credible questionnaire was used to conduct a cross-sectional descriptive study. Related tothe knowledge about oral hygiene and use of Miswak. Responses were recorded as frequencies and percentages. Data wasanalyzed using SPSS version 21. The study was conducted from May to August 2019 at HITEC Institute of Medical Sciences(IMS).Results: Students rated the use of toothbrush and paste superior {n=90(75%)} to miswak use{n=3(2.5%)} highly significant (pvalue is &lt;0.05). Forty eight percent of students considered the use of toothbrush to be more beneficial while the knowledge ofuse of miswak was only 7%(n=6) as per cultural reasons. The frequency of use of miswak was twice a day in 53%(n=47) of studen tsmainly due to religious awareness {n=58(66%)}.Conclusion: Medical students have little experience using a miswak, but if they have the right training and information, theywould preferto use both a miswak and a toothbrush.

Does the use of miswak reduce plaque and gingivitis among adults?

Data sources Searches were performed using broad search terms and suitable Boolean operators and Medical Subject Headings terms on the electronic databases PubMed (US National Library archive), EBSCOHost (Dentistry and Oral Sciences) (US Corporate Research Database), Scopus (Elsevier Archive) and the Cochrane Database for Systematic Reviews with no relevant time limit.Study selection Randomised control trials were included where adults were participants and using miswak sticks to brush was the independent variable. The primary outcome reviewed was the effect on periodontal health, with secondary outcomes including oral health practices. Exclusion criteria were applied to studies including patients with orthodontic appliances.Data extraction and synthesis Data extraction was led by a single author, with further authors (where necessary) assessing accuracy and appropriateness. Data extracted included first author, publication year, study design and setting, sample size, description of the participant, the intervention and comparison, clinical measurements, assessment interval and wash-out period. An I2 test with confidence intervals was performed, showing the included studies to display heterogeneity in methodology and outcome measures. As such, a random effects model was used for the meta-analysis of effect size. Further subgroup analysis of the included papers was completed and presented in a forest plot format. The Cochrane risk of bias tool was employed.Results In total, 150 abstracts were screened, with ten RCTs included and nine utilised in a descriptive meta-analysis. The findings claimed that miswak offered similar outcomes to toothbrushing when considering mean plaque score (p = 0.08; SMD: 0.39 and 95% CI: 0.05-0.83) and mean gingivitis score (p = 0.37; SMD: 0.13, and 95% CI: 0.16-0.43). A further significant secondary outcome was noted, showing reduced mean plaque scores (p = 0.01; SMD: 0.68, and 95% CI: 0.14-1.22) and reduced gingivitis score (p = 0.04; SMD: 0.66, and 95% CI: 0.03-1.29) when miswak was used in addition to toothbrushing.Conclusions Miswak sticks may offer similar plaque reduction to brushing and may reduce plaque-induced gingivitis when used as an adjunct to toothbrushing. However, more evidence is required in this area.

The Effect of Siwak Wood Extract (Salvadora Persica) Solution on Oral Health: Literature Review

Background: In terms of beliefs, culture and values or life practices, Islam encourages its adherents to keep themselves and their environment clean, including guidance on maintaining oral hygiene using miswak.. Siwak extract has an antibacterial effect, is effective against bacteria that play a role in the formation of dental plaque thus, with a decrease in plaque bacteria, the salivary pH will also increase One of the contents of miswak (Saldavora persica) hich is useful for preventing dental plaque is trimethylamine (TMA). In addition, it is also potential as an antibacterial.(3) (4) The World Health Organization (1987) recommends the use of miswak as an effective tool for oral health, with the mechanical action of soft-wood fibers and the therapeutics action of its chemical content.&#x0D; Content: it is necessary to conduct a Literature Review study to determine the effect of a solution of siwak wood extract (Salvadora Persica) on oral health. The feature of this research is we want to know with siwak extract can be maintained acid-base balance in salivary pH which can kill some bacteria in the mouth. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a solution of siwak wood extract on oral health. Literature Review with Systematic review design.&#x0D; Conclusion: The effect of a solution of siwak wood extract on oral health, concluded that siwak extract can affect salivary pH, production of salivary secretions, reduce plaque scores and inhibit the microorganisms development in the oral cavity

Exploring the Potential of Natural Product-Based Nanomedicine for Maintaining Oral Health.

Oral diseases pose a major threat to public health across the globe. Diseases such as dental caries, periodontitis, gingivitis, halitosis, and oral cancer affect people of all age groups. Moreover, unhealthy diet practices and the presence of comorbidities aggravate the problem even further. Traditional practices such as the use of miswak for oral hygiene and cloves for toothache have been used for a long time. The present review exhaustively explains the potential of natural products obtained from different sources for the prevention and treatment of dental diseases. Additionally, natural medicine has shown activity in preventing bacterial biofilm resistance and can be one of the major forerunners in the treatment of oral infections. However, in spite of the enormous potential, it is a less explored area due to many setbacks, such as unfavorable physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties. Nanotechnology has led to many advances in the dental industry, with various applications ranging from maintenance to restoration. However, can nanotechnology help in enhancing the safety and efficacy of natural products? The present review discusses these issues in detail.

Takhrij and Syarah Hadith of Chemistry: Benefits of Miswak for Oral and Dental Health

The purpose of this research is to discuss the hadith of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about the benefits of miswak for oral and dental health. This research method is qualitative through the approach of takhrij and syarah hadith with chemical analysis. The results and discussion of this study are proven that miswak contains various benefits for oral and dental health. This research concludes that the use of miswak has been recommended by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ based on takhrij and syarah hadith. This study recommends developing the benefits of miswak through the chemical field.

Periodontal status among adult cigarette smokers using Miswak (Salvadora persica) for oral hygiene: A crosssectional study from Asir Region of Saudi Arabia

Purpose: To compare the periodontal status of exclusive users of Miswak (Salvadora persica) with that of exclusive toothbrush users among adult smokers of cigarettes in Saudi Arabia.Methods: This educational-institutional study included one hundred and fifty adult patients (age and socioeconomic status matched, SES) between the ages of 18 and 75, and were listed as the group I, II, and III, with 50 participants each (participants with no oral hygiene, toothbrush users and miswak users respectively). Oral hygiene habits, the number of cigarettes smoked, and time since the habit began. Periodontal and radiographic parameters were reported.Results: All parameters related to periodontium (plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing pocket depth (PPD), gingival recession (Rec), clinical attachment level (CAL) and bone loss (BL)) showed that the analysed groups exhibited differences (p &lt; 0.001). Least amount of BL (anterior and posterior) was found in toothbrush users and Miswak users, while least amount of attachment loss (both anterior and posterior) was recorded among Miswak users (p &gt; 0.05). Positive association was found for GI (r = 0.753) and recession (r = 0.436, p &lt; 0.001) in terms of the number of cigarettes smoked in group I, and anterior PPD (r = 0.388, p &lt; 0.001) in group III for the duration of smoking. A negative correlation was found for BOP in group III (r = - 0.339, p &lt; 0.05) in terms of frequency of tooth cleaning and GI (r = - 0.381) (p &lt; 0.001) in group II, in terms of time taken attain oral hygiene.Conclusion: This study indicates less severe periodontal damage among adult current cigarette smokers in miswak users than in toothbrush users. Thus, there some potentials for miswak use for promotion of oral hygiene.&#x0D; Keywords: Periodontal status, Adult cigarette smokers, Miswak, Oral hygiene

The Influence of Hadiths and Islamic Scholars’ Opinions on Current Miswak Practice

Miswak has been used as a tooth cleaning tool for thousands of years throughout the world. Following the introduction of the toothbrush, the usage of miswak is reducing but still exist especially among Muslims. Muslims are still using it as it is part of sunnah and is highly recommended by the Prophet P.B.U.H. Although there are numerous hadiths on the importance of miswak use, there are limited authentic resources on the methods of its usage. The technique of using miswak nowadays might be different from the method recommended in those authentic resources. To investigate the practice of miswak among current users and the miswak practice according to hadiths and Islamic scholars. A cross-sectional descriptive study among miswak users in Sri Petaling, Selangor using purposive sampling. Questionnaires on various aspects of miswak practice as oral hygiene tools were distributed among consented participants. The results were analysed descriptively and compared with miswak practice mentioned in hadiths and scholar’s recommendation. There were 37 subjects participated in the study. Several routines and practices explained in hadiths and Islamic scholars’ recommendations were practised by the participants. The use of miswak prior to ablution and prayer was highly recommended by the Prophet P.B.U.H and was practised by all participants (100%). Half of the participants used miswak upon waking up from sleep (59%) and 76% of them clean their tongue with miswak. All participants use miswak that is not too dry or too wet as suggested by an Islamic scholar. Majority of them (83.8%) cut the miswak stick before they use it and 35% of them soaked the miswak stick before use. Most of the current miswak users are practising the miswak as oral hygiene tool following the guidelines mentioned in hadiths and recommendations by Islamic scholars although there are some parts of miswak practice mentioned in hadiths and scholars’ recommendations were found not to be practised by the subjects and vice versa.

English

There have been many studies on the practice of maintaining dental health. Although most people currently use a toothbrush to maintain the cleanliness of mouth, specific populations still used miswak as an alternative tool for oral health care. This study was designed to answer the future challenges of use of miswak as a tool to maintain oral health according to modern sciences. The history, features, function, modernization, and method in miswak were discussed in this article. The effect of miswak on periodontal health and antimicrobial has also been explained thoroughly in this article. Thus, miswak can be said to be a natural source of material that has many benefits in the improvement of oral health. The miswak extract has been modified and added in toothpaste, mouthwash, endodontic irrigation treatment, and for testing DNA. The miswak is used widely as a tool for brushing teeth and is like or better than a standard toothbrush. Key words: Miswak, Salvadora persica, chewing stick, siwak &nbsp

Impact of Dental Visits on Oral Health Awareness in Saudi Arabia

The aim of this study is to assess the impact of dental visits on oral health awareness among the Saudi population. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Saudi Arabia. An online self-administered questionnaire was distributed from January 2011 to June 2013. The questionnaire consisted of 21 multiple choice questions which was categorized into four: demographic data, dental care status, oral hygiene behavior, and oral health knowledge (OHK). Responses to the questions in the OHK category were grouped and scored according to their percentage of correct answers: 1 = very poor (0 to <25% correct), 2 = poor (25% to <50% correct), 3 = acceptable (50 to <75% correct), and 4 = good (75-100% correct). The sample was divided based on dental visit behavior into poor, average, and good dental visitors. Descriptive statistics, group comparisons, correlations, and linear regressions were conducted using SPSS (V16.0). A significance was set at p < 0.05. A total of 845 participants were included: 73.4% were females, 85.1% were older than 19 years, 76.9% had a college-level education, and 75.3% were from western Saudi Arabia. A total of 14.1% were poor dental visitors, 67.5% were average dental visitors, and 18.5% were good dental visitors. The good dental visitor group showed significantly better results than the other two groups in terms of dental services received, brushing habits, interdental cleansing habits, use of miswak, and OHK (p < 0.05). The best predictors with significant but weak effects on dental visit habits were brushing habits, interdental cleansing habits, use of miswak, and OHK (F(8,836) = 7.212, R2 = 0.065, p < 0.0001). Dental visits were significantly correlated with OHK. However, the impact of dental visits on oral health awareness was found to be weak. Well-designed preventive and educational dental visit programs need to be widely implemented as part of the governmental oral health plans.

Miswak users' behavior model based on the theory of planned behavior in the country with the largest Muslim population.

BackgroundMaintaining proper oral hygiene has an influence on oral health. Religious obedience may influence individual behavior. According to Islamic religious guidance, as recommended by an Islamic role model, it is obligated to maintain oral health and the recommended tool to use is miswak.PurposeTo describe miswak users’ behavior based on the theory of planned behavior.Subjects and methodsThe population of this study was the students of As-Salafi Al-Fitrah Islamic Boarding School who used miswak regularly and were healthy physically and mentally. One hundred and nine samples were chosen randomly and asked to complete a semi-open and a closed-ended questionnaire.ResultsPerceived behavioral control had the most dominant influence toward improving intention with β=0.211 and p<0.05. In contrast, attitude and subjective norms had less influence toward improving intention with β=0.190 and p>0.05, and β=0.164 and p<0.0001, respectively. Meanwhile, perceived behavioral control showed direct correlation toward action in model parameter with β=0.445 and p<0.0001.ConclusionPerceived behavioral control is the most dominant predisposing factor in increasing intention and attitude of miswak use.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Behavior Related to Use of Miswak (Chewing Stick): A Cross-Sectional Study from Aseer Region, Saudi Arabia.

Aim:The aim of this study was to assess the oral health knowledge, behavior, and practices related to use of miswak (chewing stick) in population of Aseer Region, Saudi Arabia.Subjects and Methods:Of the 2023 participants, 1666 (83.3%) were females and 334 (16.7%) were males. The questionnaires having 10 online questions were used to assess the knowledge of oral hygiene methods, including frequency, reason, and methods for miswak use.Statistical Analysis Used:The survey data were collected and organized into Microsoft Excel spreadsheets (Microsoft Inc., USA) and were statistically analyzed utilizing the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20.0 software (IBM Inc., USA). The statistical test used here was the Chi-square test, and P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant (P < 0.05).Results:Participants responded regarding the primary oral hygiene methods; 46.5% respondents used toothbrushes, 44.5% used both toothbrushing and miswak, and 8% used only miswak as their primary tooth cleaning method. 28.2% respondents cleaned their teeth with tooth brush or miswak at least once a day, 37.6% twice, 28.4% whenever required, and 5.9% infrequently. Majority of the participants, i.e. 70.2% were using miswak with taper and as a brush to clean all tooth surfaces. About 84.7% feel fresh, and teeth are whiter after the use of miswak. Nearly, 84.7% prefer to continue using miswak in combination with other teeth cleaning methods, which may have more benefits.Conclusions:In our study, most common type of oral hygiene method employed is toothbrush and in combination with miswak. Chewing stick use was common among participants with religious advice being the dominant reason for usage.

Use of Oral Cleaning Devices and Their Perceived Benefits among Malaysians in Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru: An Exploratory Structured Approach.

Background and Objectives:Various devices have been used to maintain oral hygiene. These include toothbrush and toothpaste, mouthwash, dental floss, miswak, and toothpick. This study attempts to investigate the use of various oral cleaning devices and their perceived benefits among Malaysians.Methods:A quantitative cross-sectional study conducted in two different cities of Malaysia. A convenience sampling approach was adopted. A total of 787 participants agreed to participate in the current research. A validated questionnaire translated into national language was used for data collection.Statistical Analysis Used:Data analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20.Results:About 302 respondents were in the age range of 18 – 25 years old (38.4%). There were marginally more females (55.7%) than males (44.3%). Although 99.9% of the participants used a toothbrush, a significant majority (n = 590, 75%) used more than a single device to maintain their oral hygiene. Only 311 respondents knew that toothpicks were inappropriate to use to remove food between teeth and gums, while a majority (n = 592, 75.2%) did not realize that some mouthwashes can stain the teeth. Less than half (42.1%) knew that improper use of miswak might harm the teeth.Conclusions:Although their oral hygiene behaviors are relatively at a higher level, their perceived oral health benefits did not compare well.

Use of dental clinics and oral hygiene practices in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 2013

Objectives: We conducted a large household survey in 2013 to determine the current status of oral health practices and use of oral health services in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Methods: The Saudi Health Information Survey is a national multistage survey of individuals ≥ 15 years of age. We used a backward elimination multivariate logistic regression model to measure the association between having been to a dental clinic during the last year, and sex, age, marital status, education, time since last routine medical examination, history of diagnosis with a cardiovascular chronic condition, brushing or flossing teeth and use of Miswak (a chewing stick). Results: Between April and June 2013, 10,735 participants completed the survey (89.4% of the households contacted). An estimated 1.5 million (11.5%) and 6.3 million (48.6%) Saudi Arabian people, ≥ 15 years of age, had visited a dental clinic for a routine check-up and for a complaint during the last year, respectively. In total, 16.3%, 85.0% and 52% of Saudi Arabian people never brush their teeth, never floss their teeth or never use Miswak, respectively. The probability of visiting a dental clinic increased with education, among individuals who brushed or flossed their teeth and who used Miswak. Conclusions: Oral hygiene practices are not common among Saudi Arabian people, and use of health care for prevention of oral disease is limited. Hence, the need for oral health promotion is pressing. The KSA Ministry of Health should develop and implement programmes, through its primary health clinics, to increase the awareness of the importance of good oral health.

Role of Salvadora persica chewing stick (miswak): A natural toothbrush for holistic oral health.

From an ancient tool to a modern way of improving oral health, miswak (chewing stick) has proven to be an effective tool for oral health. The miswak removes the bacterial plaque by mechanical and chemical actions. It provides a cheap and easily accessible way of improving oral health of the individuals and populations. The use of miswak was promoted centuries ago by Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him). In the modern era, the beneficial role of using miswak such as antiseptic, antimicrobial, anticariogenic and analgesic effects have been proven scientifically. This article reviews the various oral health benefits of miswak in the light of religious, scientific and social evidences.

Oral Health Related Knowledge and Behavior Among Secondary School Students in Jazan Region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Introduction: Awareness of oral health and related behavior are essential for prevention of dental caries andperiodontal diseases. This study explores secondary school students in Jazan region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with the respect to frequency and quality of use and the socio-demographic distribution of oral health knowledge and behavior. Materials and methods: Five secondary schools (3 from urban and 2 from suburban) were selected to be involved in this study. Self-reported questionnaires were distributed randomly to be completed by the participants from each school after having read a consent letter. The data were processed and analyzed by means of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Results: Totally, 64.1% males and 71.5% females scored highly on knowledge of caries. The corresponding rates regarding the knowledge of gingivitis were 50.3% males and 50% females respectively. Toothbrushing and the use of miswak &le; 2 times a day were confirmed by 83.7% males and 90% females and by 44.5% males and 40.3% females, respectively. The durations of toothbrushing and the use of miswak for &gt; 2 minutes were confirmed by 43% males and 58.8% females and by 69.9% males and 72.5 females, respectively. Conclusion: Awareness of oral health issues is high, but specific misconceptions exist. There is gender equality in knowledge and practice of oral hygiene and that miswak stick was equally used with toothbrush for oral hygiene among secondary school students in Jazan.