Tips for ensuring excellent oral hygiene is maintained throughout month of fasting
While abstaining from food and drink from sunrise to sunset can have many benefits for a person’s physical and mental health, it can also affect dental hygiene.
“The changes in eating habits and dehydration during the day can lead to dental problems such as bad breath, gum disease and tooth decay,” says Dr Basel Mofti, a specialist orthodontist at Dr Joy Dental Clinic in Dubai.
“As such, maintaining excellent oral hygiene during Ramadan is essential.”
Those who are fasting are advised to brush their teeth three times a day – when they wake up, after iftar and before bed.
“Use fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush, and make sure to brush your tongue as well,” says Mofti. “Also floss at least once daily to remove any food particles and plaque between your teeth.
“Further, a mouthwash can help to freshen your breath and kill bacteria. Rinse your mouth with mouthwash after brushing and flossing. This also helps to avoid plaque build-up. You could also use a miswak during the day to clean your teeth and freshen your breath.” Dr Carla Cyrino, a dentist at Cornerstone Clinic in Dubai, explains that a miswak is “a traditional chewing stick prepared from the roots, twigs and the stem of the Salvadora persica and has been used as a natural method for tooth-cleaning in many parts of the world for thousands of years”.
She says the benefits of using a miswak include: killing bacteria that causes gum disease; fighting plaque and cavities; preventing bad breath by creating a pleasant fragrance in the mouth; effectively cleaning between teeth due to the bristles being parallel to the handle rather than perpendicular; and increasing salivation, thereby inhibiting dry mouth.
Both Mofti and Cyrino say that drinking plenty of water during non-fasting hours is the most effective way to maintain a fresh mouth, as it keeps the mouth moist and washes away food particles.
“A dry mouth and the reduction of saliva flow due to a lack of water consumption is one cause of bad breath,” says Cyrino, who also recommends not eating too quickly.
“Eating slowly is an exercise for the salivary glands to be stimulated, so no salivary patterns or amount of saliva is lost. Also, chewing should be slow for the saliva to start the digestion process.”
Mofti says that during fasting hours it is important to “gargle and rinse, without swallowing, to keep the mouth hydrated, as a dry mouth can lead to bad breath and tooth decay”.
As for foods to avoid, he says: “Avoid salty, fried and sugary foods, as these can make you thirsty and dehydrate the oral environment, which promotes the growth of bacteria in the mouth, leading to tooth decay.
“If you must eat high-sugar sweets, it is best to do so after
main courses to minimise rapid acid build-up on the teeth and subsequent tooth decay.”
He also recommends limiting the intake of coffee and tea, as these can stain the teeth and cause bad breath.
“If you must drink them outside of fasting hours, do so in moderation and brush your teeth afterwards,” he says. “If you experience any dental problems during the month, don’t procrastinate from seeking prompt treatment.”