How to Maintain Oral Health in Ramadan 2022
According to science, fasting and oral hygiene are related to each other in a positive way. According to the studies, during the intermittent fasting the frequency of snacking reduces, low sugar levels and the change in saliva secretion during fasting impact the oral hygiene in a positive manner,
It is important to understand that fasting still requires you to ensure that the food you are eating after fast is balanced and nutritious.
Diet is the region where the problem lies, After suhoor, we don’t drink or eat for a long time, which causes dehydration that leads to dry mouth condition which provides ideal conditions for bacteria buildup in the mouth.
The bacteria break down the food particle left in the mouth and release the acid that causes bad breath. The top, back, and underneath of your tongue, and the area between the teeth are the key buildup points of these bacteria.
This overproduction of acid in your mouth and stomach produces foul-smelling gases. this can result in mouth dryness, bad breath, plaque buildup, and trigger long-term hidden dental decay.
So what you can do to maintain ideal oral hygiene during Ramadan
Avoid sugary sticky foods in suhoor and iftar.
Foods high in caramelized sugars such as processed cereals and chocolates are extremely damaging to the teeth, caramelized sugars stick to the teeth and it is hard to get rid of them. The bacteria digest this sugar and replace it with decay-causing acid in your mouth.
So it is important to avoid foods loaded with starch and sugars during Ramadan. They can get stuck between the teeth and need to be brushed thoroughly to get them out.
Use miswak or neem twigs.
According to Islamic scholars, it is ok to brush your teeth with toothpaste while you fast during Ramadan, but be careful that you don’t swallow anything. Sometimes people who are fasting erroneously believe that the slightly minty taste of toothpaste is enough to break the fast.
So it is best to use neem or miswak twigs for optimum oral hygiene. This traditional practice is also said to be effective in fighting germs, maintaining the alkaline levels in your saliva, keeping bacteria at bay, treating swollen gums, preventing plaque, and also giving you whiter teeth.
Get a full dental check-up and treat any underlying cavities.
Prevention is always better than cure, It is advised to get checked by the dentist prior to the fasting days as underlying gum diseases and cavities tend to aggravate during fasts.
Complete your suhoor and iftar meals with a probiotic drink.
Always include kefir or jaggery mixed yogurt after every meal during Ramadan. probiotic foods increase gut health by boosting the flora of probiotic bacterias in our intestines, this healthy bacteria reduces the acid impact on the inner lining of our stomach. and helps us in digesting refined and processed foods.
Try oil pulling.
This is one of the most effective methods to remove bacteria from the mouth that causes bad breath. Also, it helps with teeth whitening.
Once you have finished your Suhoor or iftar meal, take one teaspoon of organic coconut oil and then gently swish it in your mouth for 10-15 minutes. After that, spit it out and brush your teeth.
This traditional, natural mouthwash is an excellent way to take your oral hygiene at the highest standards.
How To oil pull:
- Floss and brush your teeth before you start oil pulling.
- Place a tablespoon of oil in your mouth.
- Sit upright (don’t lay down) and swish the oil around for 1-3 minutes.
- Spit out the oil in the trash can, not a toilet or sink (the oil can clog pipes as it hardens).
- Rinse your mouth.
