With Ramadan starting this week, Sakina Syed explores how fasting impacts oral health and shares her top oral hygiene tips for those observing the holy month.
Ramadan is a 30-day period of fasting, spiritual reflection and self-discipline observed by Muslims worldwide. Fasting, known as ‘sawn’ in Arabic, involves abstaining from eating and drinking between dawn and sunset.
While Ramadan offers numerous spiritual and health benefits, such as improved blood sugar regulation and cholesterol levels, it also presents challenges for maintaining oral health.
Proper oral care is essential during fasting to prevent issues like bad breath, gum problems and dehydration. Fasting affects the body primarily by metabolic changes. During fasting, the body uses stored energy sources, such as glycogen and fat, to sustain itself. This can help with weight loss and improve cholesterol levels and better insulin sensitivity.
How fasting impacts oral health
- Reduced saliva production: fasting reduces the body’s fluid intake, leading to lower saliva production. Saliva is vital for washing away food particles, neutralising acids and preventing bacterial growth
- Increased risk of bad breath (halitosis): a dry mouth during fasting hours can lead to an overgrowth of bacteria, which may cause bad breath
- Changes in eating habits: consuming sugary or acidic foods during suhoor (pre-dawn meal) and iftar (breaking fast) can contribute to tooth decay and gum issues if oral hygiene is neglected
- Dehydration: limited water intake during fasting hours can increase the risk of gum inflammation and worsen dry mouth.
What will break your fast
- Intentionally eating or drinking
- Smoking (an excellent time to quit smoking). Transdermal nicotine patches are permitted.
What does not break your fast
- Brushing your teeth with toothpaste or a miswak stick
- Cleaning between teeth with floss or interdental brushes
- Visiting a dentist or hygienist for checkups or treatments, provided water is not swallowed. Treatment under runner dam, if applicable, is ideal
- Lightly rinsing your mouth during ablution (cleansing before prayer).
Oral hygiene tips during Ramadan
Maintain a consistent oral care routine
Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste – once after iftar (breaking fast) and again before suhoor. Wait 30 minutes after eating to brush to avoid enamel erosion.
Use interdental brushes and or floss
Clean between teeth to prevent plaque buildup and maintain gum health. Alcohol-free mouthwash as an adjunct.
Hydrate between fasts
Drink eight to 10 glasses of water between iftar and suhoor to keep your body and mouth hydrated.
Combat bad breath
Use a tongue scraper to reduce bacteria on the tongue. Chew sugar-free gum (with Xylitol) after evening meals to stimulate saliva and fight bacteria.
Choose oral-friendly foods
Eat fruits rich in Vitamin C like berries, guavas and oranges and avoid sugary and acidic foods that can contribute to tooth decay. Include low glycemic index foods, such as porridge, lentils or whole grains, for sustained energy and oral health benefits.
Avoid caffeine and excessive salt
These can increase dehydration, exacerbating dry mouth and gum sensitivity.
Conclusion
Fasting during Ramadan requires special attention to oral hygiene to prevent dry mouth, bad breath and other dental issues. By following a consistent oral care routine and adopting healthy habits, you can protect your teeth and gums while observing the spiritual and physical benefits of fasting.
Reduced blood sugar levels
Fasting can help regulate blood sugar, benefiting individuals with insulin resistance or those at risk of diabetes.
Improved heart health
By lowering blood pressure, reducing bad cholesterol and improving circulation, fasting may support cardiovascular health.
Dehydration
The lack of water intake during fasting hours can lead to dehydration, which affects energy levels, concentration and bodily functions.
Changes in energy levels
Energy levels may fluctuate as the body adapts to using fat reserves for fuel. Fatigue and weakness can occur initially, but many people report feeling more alert and focused over time.
Habit
Ramadan not only fulfills a spiritual purpose but also instills a disciplined fasting habit. Here’s how the structure and practice during Ramadan lead to the development of a fasting routine:
1. Structured routine
- Daily schedule: Ramadan follows a consistent daily routine of fasting from dawn (suhoor) to sunset (iftar), repeating this cycle for 29–30 days. This regularity conditions the body and mind to adapt to fasting, creating a structured habit over the month
- Preparation: individuals plan meals, hydration and daily activities around fasting, reinforcing consistency.
2. Gradual adaptation
- Physiological adjustment: during the first few days of Ramadan, the body shifts from relying on constant food intake to using stored energy. Over time, hunger cues and cravings diminish as the body adapts to the fasting pattern
- Mental acclimatization: the initial struggle of fasting evolves into a sense of control and routine, as fasting becomes easier with each passing day.
3. Behavioral reinforcement
- Spiritual motivation: Ramadan’s religious significance motivates Muslims to stay committed to fasting, which strengthens the habit over time
- Community support: fasting alongside family, friends and the larger Muslim community fosters a sense of accountability and shared purpose, reinforcing the habit.
4. Changes in eating habits
- Time-restricted eating: the practice of eating only during specific times (suhoor and iftar) aligns with intermittent fasting principles, encouraging a sustainable eating pattern
- Mindful eating: the limited window for meals prompts individuals to focus on nutrient-dense, balanced meals, reducing impulsive snacking and overeating.
5. Psychological discipline
- Self-control: ramadan strengthens willpower by requiring individuals to resist eating, drinking, and other physical desires throughout the day
- Focus on intentions: the spiritual context of Ramadan helps participants stay mindful and intentional about their actions, turning fasting into a conscious, purposeful habit.
6. Long-term impact
- Neuroplasticity: repeating the fasting practice for 29–30 days rewires the brain to associate specific behaviours (like not eating during certain hours) with routine, forming a habit
- Post-Ramadan continuation: many individuals carry fasting habits beyond Ramadan, such as fasting on Mondays and Thursdays, as part of Islamic tradition or adopting intermittent fasting for health benefits.
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