The holy month of Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic Lunar Calendar. During this month, adult and able Muslims all over the world refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and other physical needs. Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam and is observed from early dawn to sunset. This observance is a time of spiritual reflection and increased devotion and worship for self-improvement.

While fasting is known to have many medical benefits for the overall body health like body weight management, improved cognitive performance, and better cardiovascular health to name a few, you will have to take extra care of your oral health during this time. Dry mouth and bad breath are the most common conditions people suffer from during Ramadan. This is because fasting leads to a reduction of saliva due to dehydration and this provides the perfect setting for the bacteria responsible for bad breath to build up on the teeth, tongue and gums.

Hence, we are here to provide you with 5 tips for oral care during Ramadan to help you maintain your oral hygiene during this time.

1. Brush twice daily after suhoor and iftar meals
   It is important to maintain your brushing routine during the non-fasting hours as brushing during fasting is avoided due to the risk of the toothpaste being swallowed and therefore, invalidating the fast. Use a fluoridated toothpaste to brush your teeth after Iftar and Suhoor meals. You can also use Miswak sticks to clean your teeth instead of traditional toothbrushes as these do not require the use of a toothpaste.
2. Clean your tongue regularly
   One of the main reasons for bad breath and dental decay is the build-up of bacteria on the tongue. Use a tongue scraper twice daily to remove these odour-causing bacteria from your mouth. If you don’t clean your tongue regularly, it causes a biofilm of bacteria to build up, leading to bad breath (halitosis).
3. Floss
   Flossing between the teeth is essential to get rid of any food particles remaining in your mouth after brushing. If this was not part of your oral care routine before Ramadan, you should ensure to incorporate this during Ramadan in order to prevent decay due to plaque formation.
4. Stay hydrated
   Dry mouth condition or bad breath due to dehydration of the mouth is one of the most common side effects of fasting during Ramadan. In order to avoid this, ensure you consume at least 6 to 8 glasses of water during the non-fasting hours.
5. Monitor what you eat
   Eating right during the non-fasting hours is essential to ensure you remain energetic throughout the day. Avoid caffeinated drinks like tea and coffee as they cause dehydration. You can replace these drinks with fresh fruit juices. Abstain from salty foods and carbonated drinks as they make you feel more thirsty. Foods rich in sugar and refined carbs should be avoided along with greasy foods to maintain your blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

When breaking your fast with the Iftar meal, avoid foods containing garlic, onions as they contribute to bad breath. Refrain from smoking during the non-fasting hours to avoid bad breath, staining of teeth and gum disease. If all this is a no, then you must be wondering, ‘What can I eat?’ Don’t worry! It’s not all doom and gloom.

Breaking your fast with potassium-rich foods like dates is a great way to get some instant energy. Foods rich in protein like fish, meat and eggs will keep you feeling full for longer than foods high in sugar. The best part about these is that you can prepare them according to your personal taste preference and enjoy your meal.

Calcium and vitamin rich foods like yoghurt are excellent for hydration when breaking the fast. Foods with a high fibre content like oats, quinoa and rice and vegetables like cucumber and lettuce will be easy on your stomach after a whole day of fasting as they are easily digestible. Apart from this, these water-based vegetables are also good for hydration. As healthy eating is key during the non-fasting hours of Ramadan, you can supplement your diet with raw nuts like almonds which contain the good fats necessary for the body after fasting.

Following these oral health practices during the Ramadan will help you to maintain your oral hygiene. In case you face any dental issues during this time, the Specialists at Rekha Dental Center will be happy to assist you and advise treatment. Many people wonder if going to the dentist during Ramadan will break their fast. Preventative treatments, if required, are permissible for people observing Ramadan and they do not nullify the fast. Therefore, feel free to contact us and we would be more than happy to help.
We wish you all Ramadan Kareem!