Genuine siwak is hard to come by, and nowadays you can find plasticized siwak sticks that contain a harmful substance used to preserve them for a long time.
That said, you can now find organic toothpastes made with siwak and clove with an 80% natural composition.
But if you have the opportunity to get fresh siwak, there is no doubt that it will be preferable to toothpaste.
What the science says: siwak, mouth, and teeth
What published research says about the remedies mentioned above, for context — these studies address material causes, while healing belongs to Allah.
The siwak
"The siwak purifies the mouth and pleases the Lord": studies confirm that the Salvadora persica stick reduces dental plaque and gum inflammation, with distinct antibacterial properties (Saudi Med J, 2015) (J Ethnopharmacol, 2022) (Scientifica, 2025). Precaution: trim off the worn tip regularly, don't share your siwak; it complements brushing without fully replacing it in cases of established dental problems.
Mouth and teeth
The siwak reduces plaque and gum inflammation (Saudi Med J, 2015) (J Ethnopharmacol, 2022); propolis is being studied for oral health (J Funct Biomater, 2024) and honey for mouth sores. Salt water rinses, clove for tooth pain, less sugar: the basics. Precaution: a cavity, an abscess, or a gum that bleeds persistently should be treated by a dentist — natural remedies offer relief in the meantime, they don't fix the problem.
