Posted by Fasting provides a number of therapeutic benefits, but having a dry mouth during fasting usually triggers bad breath. Here are some of the measures to keep your smell fresh while fasting in Ramadan!
What are the reasons for foul breath?
- Bacterial plaque build-up is a known cause of bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease due to poor oral hygiene.
- Improper denture washing — when dentures are not cleaned properly, they can retain bacteria, tartar, and create foul breath, much like teeth.
- Nutrition – Certain foods, such as onion, garlic, and certain spices, can increase the unpleasant odor.
- Dry mouth, often called xerostomia, is one of the most common causes of bad breath. It’s caused by a lack of saliva flow, and it’s a typical side effect of various medications as well as a sign of some medical disorders.
- Other non-oral issues, such as nose, sinus, throat, or stomach problems
How do we keep our breath fresh while fasting?
Saliva serves a crucial role in maintaining our teeth and reducing bacterial growth in our mouths. Our saliva flow is diminished when we fast, and as a result, we have less protection against oral germs that can produce bad breath (or halitosis). Your salivary glands will begin to stimulate again as you break your fast, fighting harmful bacteria.
Tips for oral hygiene during non-fasting hours :
It is critical to resume your oral hygiene practice during non-fasting hours.
- After iftar and suhoor, brush for 2-3 minutes with fluoride toothpaste to reduce plaque accumulation.
- Use floss and interdental brushes to clean areas between your teeth that your toothbrush can’t reach on a daily basis.
- To keep your mouth healthy, use a tongue scraper to decrease the growth of oral bacteria on your tongue.
- Taking care of your teeth and gums shouldn’t be put on hold during Ramadan.
Maintaining bad breath and dehydration with food:
- Eat fruits and vegetables as consuming these foods can increase saliva production and curb the development of bad breath causing bacteria in the mouth
- Avoid foods that induce bad breath, such as onions, garlic, and spices, when breaking your fast.
- Drink at least 2-3 liters of water per day to stay hydrated and flush food particles from your oral system.
- Caffeinated beverages such as tea and coffee have diuretic properties, therefore avoid them.
- To avoid dehydration, stay away from foods that are heavy in salt and sugar.
Other dental hygiene hints
- It’s recommended to wait 30 to 60 minutes after breaking your fast before brushing your teeth to allow your saliva to naturally wash away any food particles and allow your mouth to recover to its normal PH level. This is to prevent acidic meals from eroding the enamel, which is already fragile.
It’s critical to see your dentist and hygienist on a frequent basis if you want a dental plan that’s personalized to your unique needs. Taking care of your teeth and gums shouldn’t be put on hold during Ramadan. Your dental hygiene practice may need to be adjusted in terms of timing, but the principles stay the same.
We are talking about the general dental care which is one of the integral part of our personal hygiene. Islam emphasizes upon the overall hygiene of our body. From the Islamic perspective, we all know that the smell from the mouth during fasting is dearer to Allah Ta’ala than the smell of musk. Allah Ta’ala is pleased by his worshiper that he accepted His command and followed the revered path of Islam.
So, it is very important that we take extra care in maintaining a good oral hygiene regime in Ramadan.
Written by: Dr. Zainab Rangwala (Dental Surgeon- Surat)