Saudi Gazette The sunnah of using the siwak is widespread in Saudi Arabia and you can see it dangling out of the mouth of men in white thobes. At every mosque entrance in each of the Kingdom's cities you see a stall with branches of brown siwak sprawled out on. Siwak is cheap, convenient to use when you are away from home, and is available everywhere. Over 1,000 years ago the Prophet (peace be upon him) instructed us to use the siwak before prayer, after eating, before going to bed, upon awakening, and whenever you want to improve the smell of your breath. And in recent years, dentists are recommending siwak use and even researchers in the West are discovering active compounds in the siwak that promote oral health. Dr. Hasan Al-Simaely, a consultant dentist, said, “The regular use of siwak is the best preventive measure against dental caries among children and adults due to its fluoride content.” Whereas fluoride is added to toothpastes, it occurs naturally in the branches of siwak. The small traces of chlorine in siwak gives it the ability to whiten the teeth and remove stains and discolorations, with frequent use of course. Sulfur containing compounds found in siwak have anti-bacterial properties and can prevent and treat gingivitis. Siwak even contains vitamin C, a necessary component of collagen which keeps gums strong and supple. Dr. Basem Al-Menshawi studies the properties of medicinal plants at a local agricultural research center in Jeddah. He reported that compounds in siwak can destroy the bacteria responsible for dental cavities and the inflammation and infection of the gum lining. The protective effect lasts for 6 to 8 hours after siwak use while the protective effect of regular toothpaste lasts for only 2 hours. Brushing teeth and gently massaging the gums with siwak at regular intervals throughout the day ensures a microbe-free mouth all day long. Maintaining a clean and healthy environment in the mouth not only gets rid of bad breath but can also have a positive impact on the body's overall health. The mouth is the main gateway that microbes pass through to get inside the body, so using siwak to destroy these microbes is a good defense mechanism. Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago documented that brushing with siwak removes unwanted plaque from the teeth. Dr. Christine who researched the effects of siwak said, “There are 8 active compounds in this plant that are just as effective in ensuring proper oral hygiene as the regular use of the famous mouth wash, Listerine.” We just learned what some scientists have to say about siwak. And our greatest teacher, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said in his well known hadeeth, “Siwak is cleansing for the mouth and pleasing for the Lord.” __
