The immediate‐ and medium‐term effects of Meswak on the composition of mixed saliva

Abstract

Chewing sticks or Meswaks are used for teeth cleaning in many parts of the world. They contain substances that may reduce caries and periodontal disease. The present study consisted of 2 parts. In a short-term experiment, volunteers chewed on an inert eliciting agent (pyrogen-free rubber) and then a piece of Meswak, each for 5 min. For the medium-term experiment, volunteers brushed with either Meswak or a conventional toothbrush 5 x a day for 2 weeks. Saliva produced immediately after chewing Meswak showed statistically significant increases in calcium and chloride, but decreases in phosphate and pH as compared with controls. In the medium-term experiment, saliva samples collected 4 h after the last use of Meswak or toothbrush showed no significant differences in any of the components examined (calcium, magnesium, chloride, phosphate, IgA, IgG, lactate dehydrogenase and aspartate transaminase). Gingival and plaque indices, however, were significantly lower after brushing with Meswak. Salivary calcium promotes mineralization of tooth enamel and chloride inhibits calculus formation. Our results thus indicate that Meswak releases substances into saliva that could improve oral health. Calcium and chloride values were similar to those of controls after 4 h and thus frequent use of Meswak may be necessary to maintain a favorable salivary environment.

Comparative Evaluation of Conventional Toothbrushing with Traditional Miswak for Oral Hygiene Maintainence in a Socially Disadvantaged Young Muslim Population

“…[22] Certain plant fibres such as miswak contain sodium bicarbonate which has mild abrasive properties as well as germicidal effect. [23] In the present study the mean plaque score difference between the subjects using only miswak and toothbrush with tooth paste groups was not statistically significant, but it was significantly different when both these groups were compared to group III. i.e.…”

Short term clinical effect of active and inactive Salvadora persica miswak on dental plaque and gingivitis

“…Al-Otaibi et al (2003) reported that miswak had a significant reduction of plaque (p < 0.001) and gingival (p < 0.01) indices compared to the toothbrush. Clinical studies on saliva showed that using miswak sticks or rinsing with aqueous miswak extract has an immediate inhibitory effect on salivary bacteria (Gazi et al, 1992;Darout et al, 2002;Almas and Al-Zeid, 2004).…”

Antibacterial activity of Miswak Salvadora persica extracts against isolated and genetically identified oral cavity pathogens

“…Tannins were found to reduce gingivitis [25,26], vitamin C help in tissue healing [23], and silica and chloride removing stains and helpful in tooth whitening [6,27]. The essential oils in S. persica Miswak that has bitter taste stimulate the flow of saliva, which promote enamel remineralization [26,28].…”