Health and Islam: Brushing the teeth and its benefits

 Islam has recommended using the toothbrushes.

 The Prophet (saw) said,
"If it was not that I did not want to fatugue my people, I would order them to use the toothbrush."

Toothbrushes in the early era of Islam were the miswaks.  They are branches of a tree that includes  small fibers used for cleaning the teeth.

Dr. Hamid al-Badri refers to some of the hygenic advantages of these fibers.  He says,

"This plant is chemically composed of cellulosic fibers and some volatile oils.  They have aromatic rating and mineral salts such as Sodium chloride, which is the normal salt, and potassium chloride and gypsum oxide.

Thus, these sticks are natural toothbrushes that are supplied with mineral salts and aromatic materials that help in cleaning the teeth.

The Prophet (saw) and his companions used these matural toothbrushes many centuries ago, while the other toothbrushes were first used in 1800.

It is worth mentioning that any negligence of the teeth may lead to tooth decay that carries poisonous materials and originates many diseases."