Abstract

While previous research on Siwak has mostly focused on its microbiological effects, this research is aiming to evaluate its role on the maintenance of oral homeostasis and dental hygiene, an important factor for preventing caries and periodontal diseases. Two groups of subjects were studied: regular Miswak (n≤60) and tooth paste brush users (n≤59). Miswak used was from the "Arak" tree of Sudan, species of Salvadora Persica. Oral hygiene was assessed by measurement of plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI) and decayed, missing and filled (DMF) indices. The (PI) was significantly higher in Miswak users, but no difference was noted in the DMF and GI values. A positive correlation was found between DMF values and age among Miswak users, as well as between gingival and plaque index on both study groups. These findings suggest that use of Miswak offers a good option for maintaining oral homeostasis and hence in preventing periodontal disease and cares formation.

Keywords: Siwak · Miswak use · oral homeostasis · dental hygiene · dental plaque · periodontal disease

References

  1. 1.Thomas and Nakaishi. Managing the complexity of a dynamic biofilm. J Am Dent Assoc. 2006; 137: 10-15.
  2. 2.Mathiesen, A. T, Øgaard B, and Rølla G. Oral hygiene as a variable in dental caries experience in 14-year-olds exposed to fluoride. Caries Res. 1996; 30:29-33
  3. 3.Preeti Gupta, Gaurav Gupta. Tooth brush and tooth brushing. Indian journal of dental science 2009; 1: 5-8
  4. 4.Stecksen-Blicks C, GustafssonL. Impact of oral hygiene and use of fluorides on caries increment in children during one year.Community Dent. Oral Epidemiol 1986; 14:185-189.
  5. 5.Bradshaw DJ, McKee AS, and Marsh PD. Prevention of population shifts in oral microbial communities in vitro by low fluoride concentrations. J. Dent. Res.1990; 69:436-441.
  6. 6.Elvin-Lewis M. Plants used for teeth cleaning throughout the world. American Journal of Preventive Medicine 1980; 6:6170.
  7. 7.Hattab FN. Meswak: the natural toothbrush. J Clin Dent 1997; 8: 125-9.
  8. 8.Al Sadhan RH, Almas K. Miswak (chewing stick): A cultural and scientific heritage. Saudi Dent 1999; 1: 80-7.
  9. 9.Almas K, Al-Lafi TR. The natural tooth brush.World Health Forum 1995; 16: 20610.
  10. 10.Darout IA, Albandar JM, SkaugN.Periodontal status of adult Sudanese habitual users of miswak chewing sticks or toothbrushes. ActaOdontolScand2000; 58: 25-30.
  11. 11.AI-Otaibi M, Al-Harthy M, Sِder B,Gustafsson A, Angmar-M‫ه‬nsson B. Comparative effect of chewing sticks and toothbrushing on plaque removal and gingival health. Oral Health Prev Dent 2003; 1:301-307. 5 ORIGINAL ARTICLE MAJMAAH J. HEALTH SCIENCES, 2013 – Vol. 1, No. 2
  12. 12.Gazi M, Saini T, Ashri N, Lambourne A. Miswak chewing stick versus conventional toothbrush as an oral hygiene aid. ClinPrev Dent 1990; 12: 19-23
  13. 13.Hardie J, Ahmed K. The miswak as an aid in oral hygiene. J Phillip Dent Assoc. 1995; 47: 33-38.
  14. 14.MS, Ajmal M. Significance of chewing gums (Miswak) in oral hygiene from a pharmacological view-point. J Pak Med Assoc. 1981; 31:89-95.
  15. 15.Khalessi AM, Pack AR, Thomson WM, Tomkins GR. An in vitro study of the plaque control efficacy of Persica: A commercially available herbal mouthwash containing extracts of Salvadora Persica. Int. Dent. J. 2004; 54: 279-83.
  16. 16.Almas K, Al-Zeid Z. The immediate antimicrobial effect of a toothbrush and Miswak on cariogenic bacteria: A clinical study. J.Contemp. Dent. Pract.2004; 5: 105114.
  17. 17.Al-Lafi T, Ababneh H. The effect of the extract of the Miswak (Chewing stick) used in Jordan and the Middle East on oral bacteria. Int dent J. 1995; 45: 218-222.
  18. 18.Ezmlrly ST, Cheng JC, Wilson SR. Saudi Arabian medicinal plants: Salvadorapersica Planta Med 1979; 35: 191-192.
  19. 19.Almas K, Al-Lafi TR. The natural tooth brush.World Health Forum 1995; 16: 20610.
  20. 20.Baghdady VS, Gose LJ. Comparison of the severity of caries attack in permanent first molars in Iraqi and Sudanese schoolchildren.Community Dental Oral Epidemiology 1979; 7:346-8.
  21. 21.Darout IA, Albandar JM, Skaug N. Periodontal status of adult Sudanese habitual users of miswak chewing sticks or toothbrushes. Acta Odontol Scand 2000; 58: 25-30.
  22. 22.Loe H. The Gingival Index, the Plaque Index, and the Retention Index. J Periodontol 1967; 38: 610-616.
  23. 23.World Health Organization. Oral health surveys. Basic methods. Geneva. WHO 1987.
  24. 24.Barmess, DE. Features of oral health care across cultures, International Dental Journal 1976; 26: 353-68.
  25. 25.SCHROEDER MDS, RIBEIRO GLU, RIBEIRO BV. Evaluation of periodontal index of gingival and plaque with dental crowding in development of gingivits in children and adolescents. de odontologic 2004; 1: 17-21.
  26. 26.Sote EO.The relative effectiveness of chewing sticks and toothbrush on plaque removal. Afr Dent J 1987;1:48-53.
  27. 27.Eid MA, Selim HA, Al-Shammery AR. Relationship between chewing sticks (Miswak) and periodontal health Part 1. Review of literature and profile of the subjects. Quintessence International 1990; 21: 913-917. Role of Siwak & Tooth Brush, Wafaa A Khalil et al. 6
Majmaah Journal of Health Sciences · eISSN 1658-8223 · Majmaah University · open access