Abstract

Oral health has a major influence on not just individual’s general health but also their quality of life. The traditional toothbrush or “miswak” have been used since thousands of years as an oral hygiene aid. Miswak continues to remain popular in modern times, owing to its ease of availability, low costs and simplicity, particularly amongst Muslim population where it holds a religious and cultural impact. Much research has been performed on the phytochemical profile of miswak, revealing anti-plaque, anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties, which augment the mechanical cleaning aspects of the twig. A strong inhibitory action against Gram negative bacteria implicated in the initiation and progression of chronic periodontitis has also been reported. Recent investigations have demonstrated an anti-osteoporotic and pro-repair effect on femur bone. The current article presents a review of the pharmacological components, medicinal benefits and modern scientific usages of miswak in various aspects of oral health care.