Islamic Thought 
Beating Bad Breath during Ramadan
Beating Bad Breath during Ramadan
Beating Bad Breath during Ramadan
Abdul Jabbar Hussain
Aug 04
|00:00
Last Updated on Thu, 04 Aug 2011 01:18
Bad breath seems to be more potent when fasting due to the dryness of the mouth. To reduce this it would be recommended to drink plenty of fluids during the evening and suhur time.
The coming month is a sacred time for all Muslims when we are required to abstain from all food and drink during daylight hours in order to obey the one we love, Allah the Most High.
However, hunger and thirst are not the only obstacles during this month, a common complaint especially amongst Muslims required to work with others is bad breath or halitosis given that bad breath can lead to a decrease in self-confidence and insecurity in social and intimate relations.
Halitosis is the term used to describe an unpleasant odour exhaled through the mouth. Bad breath has a significant impact; indeed, researchers say it is the third most common reason for patients to visit a dentist.[2] So what can we do to reduce or eliminate bad breath whilst fasting? To be able to understand how to reduce bad breath, it would be prudent to have some understanding of the origins of it.
In most cases (85-90%) the origins of bad breath are from the mouth.[3] The intensity of bad breath however can differ depending on diet and dryness of the mouth etc. As a result of the mouth being drier whilst fasting (where drinking any form of liquid is impermissible), there more of a potent smell. Bad breath is thought to originate mainly from the dorsum of the tongue. In 5-10% of cases bad breath originates from the nose and sinuses and in 3-5% of cases from the tonsils. Other rarer origins are systemic diseases and according to the vast majority of researchers, the stomach and digestive tract plays a very negligible role.
Foul odours are mainly produced due to the anaerobic breakdown, by bacteria, of proteins into individual amino acids, followed by the further breakdown of certain amino acids to produce detectable foul gases. For example, the breakdown of cysteine and methionine produce hydrogen sulphide and methyl mercaptan respectively. Volatile sulphur compounds have been shown to be statistically associated with oral malodour levels.
Large quantities of naturally-occurring bacteria are often found on the posterior dorsum of the tongue, where they are rather undisturbed by normal activity. This part of the tongue is also quite dry and poorly cleansed, and bacterial populations can thrive on remnants of food deposits, dead epithelial cells and postnasal drip (PND). The convoluted microbial structure of the tongue dorsum provides an ideal habitat for anaerobic bacteria. Over 600 types of bacteria can be found in the average mouth, of which several dozen produce high levels of foul odours when incubated in the laboratory.
Other parts of the mouth may also contribute to the overall odour, but are not as common as the back of the tongue. These include inter-dental and sub-gingival niches, faulty dental work, food-impaction areas in-between the teeth, abscesses and unclean dentures. In some people, bad breath is associated with gum disease, especially if rubbing the areas between the teeth and gums yields a foul odour. Your dentist can help prevent and treat gum diseases in various ways, depending on the type and extent of the problem, but your own daily home care makes all the difference in maintaining gum health between appointments. Cleaning of the spaces between the teeth is of great importance. People with gum disease often have higher levels of odour coming from their tongue.
During fasting bad breath seems to be worse. Why would this be? Saliva is the natural mouthwash we were born with. It contains antibacterial agents, and competes with bacteria for scarce resources such as iron. Saliva helps wash the bacteria from the mouth, and the saliva layer helps the oral odours from escaping. Bad breath is worst when there is little or no saliva flow, for example after a night's sleep. As soon as one wakes up and starts to salivate, the smell recedes. That is why bad breath increases when we fast.
The things that we can do to reduce bad breath both during Ramadan and throughout the year should now be obvious and the reasoning should be easier to understand. The first thing would be to maintain proper oral hygiene. This would include tongue cleaning. Gently cleaning the tongue twice daily is the most effective way to keep bad breath in control; that can be achieved using a tongue scraper to wipe off the bacterial biofilm, debris, and mucus. Ask your dentist to recommend a scraper for your tongue. A toothbrush should be avoided as the bristles only spread the bacteria in the mouth, and grip the tongue, causing a gagging reflex.[7]Scraping of the V-shaped row of tastebuds found at the extreme back of the tongue should also be avoided. Brushing a small amount of saltwater onto the tongue surface will further inhibit bacterial action. Eating a healthy breakfast with rough foods helps clean the very back of the tongue too.
One should also brush regularly, for four minutes, twice a day. It is of paramount importance that we time ourselves since we have little idea of how much time we have actually spent brushing. Several studies have shown that we generally spend less time brushing than we perceive unless it is our routine to time oneself. When brushing we should clean our teeth and gums[9], especially cleaning even more thoroughly after eating or drinking milk products, fish and meat – especially at suhur time. Flossing should be implemented daily and choose unscented floss so that you can detect those areas between your teeth that give off odours, and clean them more carefully.
What would also be recommended to the fasting person is the specific use miswak throughout the day. The miswak (miswaak, siwak, sewak) is a teeth cleaning twig made from a twig of the Salvadora persica tree, also known as the arak tree (or peelu tree). It is well-known amongst most muslims - but is using a miswak effective at cleaning one’s mouth?
The Wrigley Company carried out a study on miswak which was published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. The study found that mints laced with miswak extract were 20 times more effective in killing bacteria than ordinary mints. After half an hour, the mints laced with miswak extract killed about 60% of the bacteria where as the ordinary mints managed only 3.6%.
In the August issue of Journal of Periodontology (2008) appeared a study conducted by Swedish researchers on miswak. The study apparently found that suspended Miswak pieces in a petridish (medium for culturing bacteria) were able to kill bacteria that cause periodontal disease with out being in physical contact with the bacteria. The researchers suggested that Miswak might be giving antibiotics as gases trying to explain this phenomenon.
Another study which compared tooth brushing and using miswak can be found on Pubmed (U.S National Library for Medicine Service). The study concluded that miswak was more effective than tooth brushing in reducing plaque and gingivitis provided it was used correctly. Similarly a study conducted by a group of dentists at King Saud University concluded that using miswak was at least as good as tooth brushing, if not better.
The effectiveness of miswak has been attributed to its strong antibacterial properties. Another feature of miswak thought to contribute to its effectiveness, mentioned by the King Saud University study, is that its bristles are parallel to the handle rather than perpendicular which means effective cleaning between the teeth. The World Health Organisation (WHO) interestingly enough recommended the use of the miswak in 1986. So we would have to agree that using miswak is both rewardable and effective.
Bad breath seems to be more potent when fasting due to the dryness of the mouth. To reduce this it would be recommended to drink plenty of fluids during the evening and suhur time. If you are a denture wearer, it would be advisable for you to soak the denture in an antiseptic mouthwash overnight. Regular visits to the dentist are also essential although we may not enjoy them. There may be cavities, broken fillings, spacing between teeth, or pockets that may be allowing food packing which may in itself be causing a foul smell.
So in conclusion, if you want to beat the bad breath during Ramadan, then clean your tongue, brush thoroughly (especially after those meat and fish curries!) and drink plenty of fluids whenever you can.
Notes: this article has been reposted
Source: www.islam21c.com
[1] Social relations and breath odour, published in International Journal of Dental Hygiene Nov. 2003
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Bad breath
written by john bradford, December 27, 2011
written by john bradford, December 27, 2011
I forgot to say that salt mouthwash is incredibly effective also. I once got gingvitis - notorious for producing halitosis and destroying gum tissue - and mouth-washed alternatively with salt and thymol and the dentist was astounded at its effectiveness and called other dentists in practice to observe "non-odiferous" condition of the gum disease!
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halitosis/bad breath
written by john bradford, December 27, 2011
written by john bradford, December 27, 2011
There are lots of hadith about this sort of thing. Generally, I have got the impression that it is ok to mouthwash when fasting, but I must check again: because in the wudu you are washing out mouth and tongue, arent you?
Most halitosis is from teeth crevices and interstices so use dental floss every time you can: nowadays floss comes on little sticks or on a thing like a toothbrush. I am sure The Prophet, upon Whom be peace, advocated toothpick also, someone check hadith for me, as well as miswak.
The european equivalent is thyme - incredibly effective as bacteriocide against oral bacteria and active ingredient is essential oil thymol which is still used in lab as bacteriocide. Eucalyptus oil is even more effective and though not native to UK grows in milder regions. Again, used in labs still.
It is a detail perhaps worth noting that Muslim and Sufi herbalists,and possibly more progressive western medics, say that medicines are more effective in their natural botanic form as the other components naturally present contribute to their effectiveness.
There is a toothpaste made by Johnson and Johnson which contains both oils, but how halal it is I couldnt say - glycerine can be made different ways, one way from animal fats.
Most halitosis is from teeth crevices and interstices so use dental floss every time you can: nowadays floss comes on little sticks or on a thing like a toothbrush. I am sure The Prophet, upon Whom be peace, advocated toothpick also, someone check hadith for me, as well as miswak.
The european equivalent is thyme - incredibly effective as bacteriocide against oral bacteria and active ingredient is essential oil thymol which is still used in lab as bacteriocide. Eucalyptus oil is even more effective and though not native to UK grows in milder regions. Again, used in labs still.
It is a detail perhaps worth noting that Muslim and Sufi herbalists,and possibly more progressive western medics, say that medicines are more effective in their natural botanic form as the other components naturally present contribute to their effectiveness.
There is a toothpaste made by Johnson and Johnson which contains both oils, but how halal it is I couldnt say - glycerine can be made different ways, one way from animal fats.
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Mr
written by AbudulRahman789, August 10, 2011
written by AbudulRahman789, August 10, 2011
1. A more sophisticated title would have been: "Maintaining Oral Hygiene During Ramadhan", rather than the trashy one that was used.
2. I woould have welcomed some discourse on whether it is allowed to brush with tooth brush and tooth paste. I know there is a difference of opinion on this but I would have liked this discussed. I know the late Sheikh Darsh was of this opinion.
3. I am interested to know whether there is an equivalent tree in this part of the world (UK) which can be used as a mishwak, having similar properties.
4. Keep up the excellent work. This website is a very classy effort. May Allah reward the team involved. Not only does it have style, but it has substance also.
2. I woould have welcomed some discourse on whether it is allowed to brush with tooth brush and tooth paste. I know there is a difference of opinion on this but I would have liked this discussed. I know the late Sheikh Darsh was of this opinion.
3. I am interested to know whether there is an equivalent tree in this part of the world (UK) which can be used as a mishwak, having similar properties.
4. Keep up the excellent work. This website is a very classy effort. May Allah reward the team involved. Not only does it have style, but it has substance also.
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links to thesis on Miswak
written by Peace, August 04, 2011
written by Peace, August 04, 2011
Please share the paper references links and pdfs of the papers on this.
I contribute one link
AH Sofrata - 2010 -
As Salvadora persica (Arak) is one of the most important species still used around the world, ...... Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 7, 1091-100. ...
http://publications.ki.se/jspui/bitstream/10616/39923/1/thesis.pdf
I contribute one link
AH Sofrata - 2010 -
As Salvadora persica (Arak) is one of the most important species still used around the world, ...... Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 7, 1091-100. ...
http://publications.ki.se/jspui/bitstream/10616/39923/1/thesis.pdf
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Please provide download links to the western papers and saudi paper on Miswak
written by Swami Tota Ram Shankar, August 04, 2011
written by Swami Tota Ram Shankar, August 04, 2011
Please provide download links to the western papers and saudi paper on Miswak
so I can read it first hand.
so I can read it first hand.
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Excellent
written by Sammy, August 04, 2011
written by Sammy, August 04, 2011
Salaam akhi Abdul Jabbar
I think this is a fantastic article. I beg to differ with the other readers that your article lacked islamic references. I know you are a dentist by profession, and you were just talking about the issue of bad breath from a scientific perspective. We as Muslims cannot reject science. Whilst there is a lot of 'shoddy' research going around and questionable theories, we should take from that which is good. Your article has done that well alhumdulillah. We as an Ummah need to be well versed in the language of science, as this is the language most people speak nowadays. We need to once again become leaders in our scientific fields, as currently Muslims are really lagging behind when it comes to research. I hope you will continue to write more Dental reviews with an islamic flavour. May Allah reward you abundantly for your efforts. Ameen. Your brother, Sameer.
I think this is a fantastic article. I beg to differ with the other readers that your article lacked islamic references. I know you are a dentist by profession, and you were just talking about the issue of bad breath from a scientific perspective. We as Muslims cannot reject science. Whilst there is a lot of 'shoddy' research going around and questionable theories, we should take from that which is good. Your article has done that well alhumdulillah. We as an Ummah need to be well versed in the language of science, as this is the language most people speak nowadays. We need to once again become leaders in our scientific fields, as currently Muslims are really lagging behind when it comes to research. I hope you will continue to write more Dental reviews with an islamic flavour. May Allah reward you abundantly for your efforts. Ameen. Your brother, Sameer.
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I'm convinced
written by Faraz Choudhry, August 04, 2011
written by Faraz Choudhry, August 04, 2011
A potential replacement for the toothbrush and paste, and maybe floss? At least I'm convinced that miswaak can be reused without worrying about staleness and bacterial attacks.
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Mashallah
written by Mr. Nahdi, August 04, 2011
written by Mr. Nahdi, August 04, 2011
Asalam waliekum warahmatullahi wabarakatu
Mashallah very important and beneficial Article which i will do my best to implement. I was so happy when i read about the Wrigley Company Research and it will be very good if you please get us the source of this research that took place.
Jazakullahukhair
Mashallah very important and beneficial Article which i will do my best to implement. I was so happy when i read about the Wrigley Company Research and it will be very good if you please get us the source of this research that took place.
Jazakullahukhair
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MM article on Ramadan fragrances....
written by Mohammed Ashik, August 26, 2010
written by Mohammed Ashik, August 26, 2010
As-salaamu alaikum.
Jazakallah khaiyr for the article.
A really good reminder (related) on MM: Ramadan Fragrances: Of Body Odors and Perfumes & the Person Praying Besides You
http://muslimmatters.org/2010/08/26/ramadan-fragrances/
By the way, using mouthwash after suhoor/just before fajr is an excellent way to help with morning breath.
Jazakallah khaiyr for the article.
A really good reminder (related) on MM: Ramadan Fragrances: Of Body Odors and Perfumes & the Person Praying Besides You
http://muslimmatters.org/2010/08/26/ramadan-fragrances/
By the way, using mouthwash after suhoor/just before fajr is an excellent way to help with morning breath.
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Good & Infomational, Plese revise.
written by Mohamed, August 24, 2010
written by Mohamed, August 24, 2010
"Bad breath seems to be more potent when fasting due to the dryness of the mouth. To reduce this it would be recommended to drink plenty of fluids during the evening and suhur time"
This article was somehow conflicting with Ramadan. I found difficult to reference Ramadan in this article. I think it would have been appropriate to not mention Ramadan(fasting) in this article. As this information might mislead and misguide some people. This information was neither for or against Ramadan but was referable to Ramadan in, which then will conflict with the statement above.
Thank you
This article was somehow conflicting with Ramadan. I found difficult to reference Ramadan in this article. I think it would have been appropriate to not mention Ramadan(fasting) in this article. As this information might mislead and misguide some people. This information was neither for or against Ramadan but was referable to Ramadan in, which then will conflict with the statement above.
Thank you
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Bad breath?
written by Umm Yunus, August 24, 2010
written by Umm Yunus, August 24, 2010
Bismillah
Asalamu alaykum warahmatullahi wabarakatuhu
What about this hadith?
“The odor that comes from the mouth of the fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the scent of musk” (Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Unfortunately this article lacks any reference to Islamic sources.
Asalamu alaykum warahmatullahi wabarakatuhu
What about this hadith?
“The odor that comes from the mouth of the fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the scent of musk” (Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Unfortunately this article lacks any reference to Islamic sources.
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Siwaak
written by Muslimah, August 24, 2010
written by Muslimah, August 24, 2010
''So we would have to agree that using miswak is both rewardable and effective.''
Research makes us agree on the effectiveness of the miswaak. What a shame. Our Messenger has narrated to us that it's a 'cleanser for the mouth and pleasing to the Lord'. Was the Hadith quoted? No, we believe in research.
Research makes us agree on the effectiveness of the miswaak. What a shame. Our Messenger has narrated to us that it's a 'cleanser for the mouth and pleasing to the Lord'. Was the Hadith quoted? No, we believe in research.
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intelligence?!
written by Asma, August 24, 2010
written by Asma, August 24, 2010
massadaddy,
The people you described are the opposite of intelligent. The money that they have is not a result of their intelligence or hard work, it's a result of inherited wealth and social status, plus misuse of the resources that should be spent on alleviating poverty and contributing to regional development. And since when are eating and drinking and womanizing marks of intelligence or any degree of having an enlightened mind? Fasting teaches us to deny our base desires and to control ourselves and our gluttonous impulses. 100%, the reason those people were not fasting wasn't a result of any sort of intellectual conviction "that this religious nonsense was an utter waste of time and was good for the masses," it's because they are slaves to their worldly desires and their stomachs. Seriously, what is there to respect about that?
The people you described are the opposite of intelligent. The money that they have is not a result of their intelligence or hard work, it's a result of inherited wealth and social status, plus misuse of the resources that should be spent on alleviating poverty and contributing to regional development. And since when are eating and drinking and womanizing marks of intelligence or any degree of having an enlightened mind? Fasting teaches us to deny our base desires and to control ourselves and our gluttonous impulses. 100%, the reason those people were not fasting wasn't a result of any sort of intellectual conviction "that this religious nonsense was an utter waste of time and was good for the masses," it's because they are slaves to their worldly desires and their stomachs. Seriously, what is there to respect about that?
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...
written by Luqman, August 24, 2010
"Let your tongue always be moist with the remembrance of Allah." [at-Tirmidhi and others]
written by Luqman, August 24, 2010
Saliva is the natural mouthwash we were born with. It contains antibacterial agents, and competes with bacteria for scarce resources such as iron. Saliva helps wash the bacteria from the mouth, and the saliva layer helps the oral odours from escaping. Bad breath is worst when there is little or no saliva flow, for example after a night's sleep. As soon as one wakes up and starts to salivate, the smell recedes.
"Let your tongue always be moist with the remembrance of Allah." [at-Tirmidhi and others]
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Good article, some advice..
written by Dentist, August 19, 2010
written by Dentist, August 19, 2010
Good article mashaAllah, the recommended time for brushing is in fact 2 minutes not 4.
An interesting fact that Sh Salim mentioned in a lecture; RasoolAllah sallAllahu'alayhi wa sallam used to brush his tongue with the miswak, to the extent that he was gagging- indicating that he brushed right to the back of the tongue.
'Cleaning of the spaces between the teeth is of great importance'- this is something that the majority of people are ignorant of. You should use floss or interdental brushes (available in different sizes), so speak to your dentist about interdental cleaning and they will guide you as to what to use and how to use it.
'Regular visits to the dentist are also essential although we may not enjoy them' Dental disease, be it decay or gum disease can go unnoticed and one may be symptom-free, until it reaches a stage where it is irreversible and extensive treatment has to be carried out to save the teeth. Visit the dentist every 6 months regardless of whether you have any pain! Your dentist may increase your recall interval to 12 month check-ups if they deem necessary.
Wassalaamu'alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu
An interesting fact that Sh Salim mentioned in a lecture; RasoolAllah sallAllahu'alayhi wa sallam used to brush his tongue with the miswak, to the extent that he was gagging- indicating that he brushed right to the back of the tongue.
'Cleaning of the spaces between the teeth is of great importance'- this is something that the majority of people are ignorant of. You should use floss or interdental brushes (available in different sizes), so speak to your dentist about interdental cleaning and they will guide you as to what to use and how to use it.
'Regular visits to the dentist are also essential although we may not enjoy them' Dental disease, be it decay or gum disease can go unnoticed and one may be symptom-free, until it reaches a stage where it is irreversible and extensive treatment has to be carried out to save the teeth. Visit the dentist every 6 months regardless of whether you have any pain! Your dentist may increase your recall interval to 12 month check-ups if they deem necessary.
Wassalaamu'alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu
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