Key Takeaway
Miswak was as effective as conventional toothbrushing for reducing dental plaque and gingivitis in a 4-week randomized controlled trial.
Summary
This randomized controlled trial compared the effectiveness of miswak (Salvadora persica chewing stick) versus conventional toothbrushing for plaque removal and gingivitis reduction. Participants were randomly assigned to use either miswak or a standard toothbrush for four weeks, with plaque index and gingival index measured at baseline and follow-up.
Results showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups in plaque or gingival scores, indicating that miswak is comparable to conventional toothbrushing for maintaining oral hygiene. Both groups demonstrated meaningful reductions in plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation over the study period.
The findings support miswak as a viable, low-cost, and accessible alternative to toothbrushes, particularly in communities where commercial oral care products may be less available. The study adds to the growing body of RCT evidence validating traditional chewing stick use for everyday dental care.
Figures
Figure 1