This article, although is influenced by Islamic stand on Miswaak and harmful effect of toothpaste, the readers are encouraged to do more research on this topic. It is not directed against any company or any religion but it is my point of view influenced by the immense benefit of miswaak and scientific results pertaining to the effects of toothpaste comprising of many deadly chemicals known to mankind.
For many many centuries, Miswaak (A twig) was the most popular means of cleaning teeth and undoubtedly the best chemical to prevent all sort of germs to all human civilizations ever inhabited on earth but for the last century, a man made chemical has taken the market of Miswaak by storm through effective marketing highly influenced with the modern tag even though all of such chemicals whether toothpaste or powder are influenced by the chemical composition of miswaak.
Here I go first with Islamic references related to the benefit of Miswaak and then the harmful effects of toothpaste as per research conducted by popular institutions and academics.
Sahih Bukhari 2:13:13
Narrated Anas:
“Allah's Apostle said, "I have told you repeatedly to (use) the
Siwak.
Miswaak is now days used
as a marketing component by pharmaceutical companies in the toothpaste for e.g.
Colgate, Babool, pepsodent etc.
In 1986, W.H.O. recommended
Miswaak for daily use for its immense hygiene benefits.
In 2003, a clinical
research proved that Miswaak was better than the toothbrush and people who used
it experimentally were satisfied.
Abu Ayyub (R) narrates that Allah’s Apostle said: 4
characteristics pertain to the practices of the Prophets (Messengers): Modesty,
use of perfume, use of Siwak, and marriage. (Tirmidhi)
There are 70
benefits of Miswaak as suggested by Islamic Literature and many of these have
been scientifically proven and the rest haven’t been studied yet.
The Wrigley Company
made a study on Miswaak which was published in the Journal of Agricultural and
Food Chemistry. The study found that mints laced with Miswaak extract were 20
times more effective in killing bacteria than ordinary mints. A small testimony
to this fact is that after half an hour, the mints laced with Miswaak extract
killed about 60% of the bacteria whereas the ordinary mints managed only 3.6%. In
the August issue of Journal of Periodontology (2008), Swedish researchers found
that suspended Miswaak pieces in a petridish were able to kill bacteria that
cause periodontal disease without being in physical contact with the bacteria.
The study conducted
at PUBMED (U.S National Library
for Medicine Service) found that Miswaak was more effective than tooth brushing
in reducing plaque and gingivitis provided it was used correctly.
Benefits of Miswaak
(1) Eliminates bad odour and improves the sense of
taste
(3) Sharpens the Intelligence
(5) A Cure for Illness
(6) Creates fragrance in the mouth.
(7) Strengthens the gums.
(8) Prevents tooth decay.
(9) Prevents further increase of decay which has already set in the teeth.
(10) Cure headaches.
(11) Eliminate toothaches.
(12) Creates lustre (Noor) on the face of the one who continually uses it.
(13) Causes teeth to glow.
(14) Removes the yellowishness of the teeth.
(15) Strengthens the eye-sight.
(16) Beneficial for the health of the entire body.
(17) Assists in the process of Digestion.
(18) It is a cure for a certain mouth disease known as Qilaa'- This is stated
in Hujjatul Baaleghah.
(19) Clears the voice. This is stated in Tibbe Nabawi.
(20) Facilitates appetite (Tibbe Nabawi).
(21) Increases the eloquence of one's speech.
(22) Miswaak (i.e. its constant use)
will be a factor to ease the pangs of Death. The continuous use of the Miswaak
makes it easy for the Rooh (Soul) to depart from the body when its appointed
time arrives. (SHARHUS SUDOOR)
(23) Miswaak
increases the Thawaab (reward) of Salaat (prayer) from seventy times to four
hundred times. (HADITH)
(24) Miswaak is a
factor which will earn higher ranks in Jannat for the one who uses it
(25) The Angels sing
the praises for the one who use it.
(26) Use of the
Miswaak displeases Shaitaan.
(27) Use of the Miswaak graces one with
the companionship of the Angels.
(28) And, the
greatest benefit of using the Miswaak is the attainment of Allah's
Pleasure.......
Beside above, it
also helps smokers to quit smoking. We see they are immense benefits of using
Miswaak and yet we have left the legacy of Prophet Muhammad (p) for modern
technology which in fact is not as advantageous as Miswaak but indeed very
harmful for our health.
Toothpaste in
popular world is used to strengthen teeth by preventing cavities and gum
disease (gingivitis)
and whitening teeth for aesthetics and health..
Have you heard of
this advertisement on your toothpaste, if not than please check it quickly.
"Keep out of the reach of children under 6 years
of age. If you accidentally swallow more than used for brushing, seek
professional help or contact a poison control centre immediately."
Many name-brand
toothpastes and mouthwashes contain potentially harmful ingredients, which are
made up of very small molecules that may penetrate through the tissue of your
mouth, enter the blood stream, and build up in the liver, kidneys, heart,
lungs, and tissues. These harmful ingredients have been linked to cancer,
blindness and even death.
Sodium Fluoride
It is a main
ingredient of toothpaste as well as of rat poison. Where Fluoride in toothpaste
is used to prevent cavities and in rat poison, it is used to kill rats,
cockroach and other insects. Minimal ingestion of sodium fluoride causes
salivation, nausea, vomiting, epigastria pain, and diarrhoea whereas large
doses can cause paralysis, muscular weakness and clonic convulsions, followed
by respiratory and cardiac failure.
Fluorides have been
used throughout history to alter the behaviour and mood of human beings.
It is a little known fact that fluoride compounds were added to the drinking
water of prisoners to keep them quiet (hypnotic) and to hamper non-compliance
with authority, both in Nazi prison camps during World War II and in the Soviet
gulags in Siberia.
Surprisingly,
fluoride has NEVER been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in
the USA. Additionally, a 1990 study stated that fluoride has been shown to NOT
reduce cavities and scientists are now linking fluoride to dental deformity, arthritis,
allergic reactions and about 10,000 unnecessary deaths each year from cancer.
Crude Oil
It is another
important ingredient of toothpaste consists of FD&C colour dyes which may
cause potentially severe allergic reactions, asthma attacks, headaches, nausea,
fatigue, nervousness, lack of concentration, and cancer.
FD & C blue
colour dyes are composed of coal tar oil which is black & sticky and they
are classified as active carcinogens causing cancers and other health problems.
When used on teeth, these dyes are quickly absorbed within seconds through the
skin on the lips, or through the mucous membrane in the mouth. (Mucous membrane
in mouth has 90% absorbing capability)
Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS)
Perhaps the most
dangerous ingredient in toothpaste is SLS. It is responsible for the formation
of foam but it is very corrosive & harmful to skin tissue (American College
of Toxicity).
SLS is commonly used
in cleaning industry in products such as garage floor cleaners, engine
degreasers and car wash soaps. The journal of the American College of
Toxicology reports that SLS can penetrate and be retained in the eye, brain,
heart, and liver with potentially harmful long term effects.
Triclosan
Triclosan, a
chemical used for its antibacterial properties, is an ingredient found in many
detergents and toothpastes. While the toothpaste companies claim that it is
safe, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has registered it
as a dangerous pesticide not only for human but also for an environment.
Triclosan is a
chlorophenol, which is suspected of causing cancer in humans. Externally,
phenol can cause a variety of skin irritations but internally, even in small
amounts, phenol can lead to cold sweats, circulatory collapse, convulsions, coma,
and death.
Long term exposure
to repeated use of many pesticide products can damage the liver, kidneys, heart
and lungs, suppress the immune system, and cause hormonal disruption,
paralysis, sterility and brain haemorrhages.
Hydrated silica
It is primarily used
as an abrasive in toothpaste, is made from a crystallized compound found in
quartz, sand, and flint.
Dr Samuel Epstein,
who is Chairman of the Cancer Prevention Coalition and recipient of The
Alternative Nobel Prize in 1998, states in his book - The amount of irritation
caused by toothpaste is minimal but can include sore mouth and gums, wearing of
tooth enamel, sore tongue, and sloughing of mucous membrane. The public is
cautioned against excessive use of products containing 'dioforms,' which are
abrasive substances that can cause the breakdown of tooth enamel.
Products containing
the ingredients silica and cellulose, in particular, should be avoided when gum
disease, tooth decay, sensitivity and receding gums are present. While these
ingredients can remove tartar and make teeth whiter in appearance, they also
may do harm to dental health by altering the acidic balance of the mouth, gums
and tongue, said Dr Warren Scherer, New York University College of Dentistry,
as reported by The Naples Daily News.
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We are constantly
fed poison in many forms day and night and many major problems are resulting
from it. These poisonous and harmful substances are also found in detergents,
soaps, facial creams & many beauty cosmetics. We know the answer yet we
turn a blind eye to the facts just to go hand in hand with so called modern
society. It is a time to wake up and investigate all man made products.
We have seen a huge
rise in cancer & diabetic patients, huge cases of mental disorder and other
numerous problems in old age all in all recorded in last two decades and the
number is constantly rising. We are first fed with certain chemicals in forms
of toothpaste, soaps, detergents, facial & beauty creams, perfumes, fast
foods, beverages etc. and then put on other chemicals for treatment in forms of
medicines which can have good and side effects. In other words, we are surrounded
by different forms of poisons and there seems no way out. In fact there is a
way; ALLAH has prescribed natural prescription in many herbs, vegetables,
fruits, honey etc. which is otherwise used by pharmaceutical companies as a
promotional tool for their products.
Why we are so silent
about natural treatment? Why we have left the legacy of Prophet Muhammad (s)? Why
we are ignorant?
Start using Miswaak
for if you want to live longer and live healthy.
