Comparative oral health status of an adult Sudanese

population using miswak or tooth brush regularly 

Ismail Abbas Darout, DDS, PhD
 Nils Skaug, DDS, PhD
Department of Odontology - Oral Microbiology, Faculty of Dentistry and Centre for International Health, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway

The objective of the present study was to conduct a systematic evaluation of miswak as an alternative tool to the modern toothbrush in preventing oral diseases. This involved clinical, microbial and chemical assessment using modern scientific methods. An adult Sudanese population using miswak or a modern toothbrush regularly was examined using clinical and microbial parameters. Freeze-dried extract of miswak was analyzed for antimicrobial components. The results showed a lower caries experience in the miswak users than in the subjects who used a modern toothbrush. There were no significant differences between the two groups in the periodontal variables examined except for less calculus in the posterior sextants of miswak users. The results also indicated that regular use of miswak had a significant inhibitory effect on the levels of some salivary and subgingival plaque bacteria. The chemical analysis of miswak extracts showed that miswak contained a number of antimicrobial components including CI", S0₄²", SCN", N0₃". These findings partially support the hypothesis that (1) adult Sudanese regular miswak users have better oral health and lower levels of oral pathogens than have adult Sudanese who use a modern toothbrush regularly and (2) these beneficial effects may be due to leachable SCN" in miswak.

Saudi Dental Journal 2004;(1):29-38.