Oral Health and its relation to salivary electrolytes and pH in Miswak and Brush Users

Abstract

Background: Research on Miswak (Arak) use is scarce and still far from identifying the role of Miwak in the maintenance of oral health. This study seeks to identify the differences in oral homeostasis in Miswak and tooth brush users. Subjects and Methods: Clinical and chemical assessments were carried out on sixty Miswak and fifty nine tooth brush users, using a volunteer non-probability sampling technique. Effects of Miswak and tooth brush use, were assessed, by measuring salivary and dental plaque electrolytes and pH as indicators of mineralization and oral hygiene. Results: Miswak users showed higher salivary calcium and sodium in the saliva and higher calcium and phosphate in the dental plaque. The pH was not different in the two groups; However, Miswak users showed significant negative correlations of pH, with calcium, phosphate and positive correlation with dental plaque sodium . Strong positive correlations were found in brush users between sodium and age and between calcium and plaque and gingival indices. Conclusions: It can be concluded that Miswak use increases dental plaque pH and provide calcium and phosphate at low salivary pH, which is in favor of remineralization. It increases salivary flow and therefore counteracts aging hyposalivation and decreases gingival calculus formation and subsequent gingivitis and periodontal diseases.