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Al Miswak Al Asri

The best source of the miswak is the root of the arak tree (salvadora persica), more commonly known as the 'toothbrush tree'. The arak grows in Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Southern Egypt, Chad and Eastern parts of India. Salvadora persica is in fact a small tree or shrub with a crooked trunk, seldom more than one foot in diameter, bark scabrous and cracked, whitish with pendulous extremities. The root bark is light brown and the inner surfaces are white, odor is like cress and taste is warm and pungent. The miswak has a taste, which has been described as "pleasantly bitter".

Scholars have mentioned as many as 70 medicinal and spiritual benefits related to the miswak. Dental Research has revealed that it contains as many as 19 natural substances, which are beneficial to dental health. Its natural antiseptics have a bactericidal action, killing harmful microorganisms in the mouth that would, if gone unchecked, promote plaque formation, tartar build-up, and caries. The tannic acid it contains has astringent qualities, which protects the gums from gingivitis, and eventual abscess formation under the root of the affected teeth. Its aromatic oils increase salivation, which helps in the process of digestion. This multi-purpose stick cleans the mouth, whitens the teeth and sweetens the breath.

Researchers have noticed that the difference between the first and the fifth week of the mean score of plaque percentage for powdered siwak is the highest (-11.2%) of all readings. This indicates that powdered siwak used with a toothbrush will result in a greater deal of oral cleanliness than commercial powders.

Chemically the miswak is composed of: • Trim ethyl amine • An alkaloid which may be salvadorine • Chlorides • High amounts of fluoride and silica • Sulphur • Vitamin C • Small amounts of tannins, saponins, fiavenoids & • Sterols

Advantages of the miswaak: (1) Eliminates bad odor and improves the sense of taste (2) Sharpens the memory an intelligence (3) Creates fragrances in the mouth (4) Strengthens the gums (5) Prevents tooth decay (6) Prevents further increase of decay which has already set in the teeth (7) Is a cure for headaches (8) Assists in eliminating toothaches (9) Creates a glow on the face of the one who continually uses it (10) Causes the teeth to shine (11) Removes plaque and yellow stains on teeth (12) Strengthens the eye-sight (13) Is beneficial for the health of the entire body (14) Assists in the process of digestion (15) is a cure for a certain mouth disease known as Qilaa' (16) clears the voice (17) facilitates the appetite (18) increases the eloquence of one's speech (19) cleans and brightens teeth

After purchasing this highly beneficial product, the miswak should be soaked in water for a few hours. This softens the natural fibers, which helps them to separate. Chewing the bristles for another minute or so will help to separate them further. Because of its built-in-antiseptics, the miswak needs no cleaning.

Oral hygiene and patient motivation towards a clean mouth owe their birth to the teachings of Mohammed (pbuh). Due to the repeated use of Siwak during the day, the users showed an unusually high level of oral cleanliness. It is a well known fact that plaque formed immediately after meticulous toothbrushing. By the end of 24 hours the plaque is well on its way towards maturation and hence starts its deliterious effects on the gingiva. Proper oral hygiene should be maintained through intensive instructions by the periodontist as well as by a great expenditure of time and dexterity on part of the patient. This item is self corrected in Moslems because Siwak users take Siwak as a device that should be used as part of their religious ritual regimen.

The results obtained in this investigation have proved that Siwak and other tree twigs 9 could act as an effective tool in removing soft oral deposits. It could be even used as an effective device in preventive dental programmes in mass populations. The indices used in this investigations were simple and adequate as they discriminated between experimental stages as well as between experimental groups.

Using starch is not quite accurate but it was meant to evaluate the degree by which Siwak and powdered Siwak could rid teeth of deposits as compared to the best abrasive viz. commercial powder. It is noticed that the difference between first and fifth week of the mean score of plaque percentage for powdered Siwak is the highest (-11.2%) of all readings. This indicates that powdered Siwak is used with t mechanically proper device i.e. tooth brush will give a great deal of oral cleanliness.

It has been reported that Salvadora Persica contains substances that possess antibacterial properties. Some of the other components are astringents, detergents and abrasives 8. Those properties encourage some toothpaste laboratories to incorporate powdered stems and/or root material of Salvadora persica in their roducts (Beckenham U.K. Sarakan Ltd.).

Although the commercial powder gave a high degree of efficiency in plaque removal yet its use over the experimental period gave a high score of gingivitis percentage within the group using the powder. It is true that plaque eradication is essential but this should not be on the expense of deleterious side effect on other tissues. It could be concluded that Siwak and powdered Siwak are excellent tools for oral cleanliness. Because of its availability in this part of the world, being inexpensive and readily adopted by Moslems as part f their religious regimen, it is highly recommended in implementing a preventive dental health program Islamic countries. Also recommendations should be directed to manufacturers of toothpastes to include the powdered form of Siwak in highly sophisticated toothpaste.