By Dr. Tahina Mukit, DMD
RAMADAN MUBARAK!
But what is Ramadan?
Ramadan is considered a holy month for practicing Muslims where they abstain from food and drink from sunrise until sunset. Many Muslims perform this religious duty but are met with curious gazes and even more curious questions. Read down below to not only understand Ramadan more, but how Ramadan affects the body as a whole.
How does Ramadan affect one’s dental hygiene?
When participating in Ramadan, one of the physical restraints is to abstain from food and water- yes, even water! Because of this, it is very common to have dry mouth, which is also known as xerostomia. With reduced salivary flow, this does allow for bacteria and plaque to build up which increases the incidence of having bad breath (“How Fasting Affects Your Oral Cavity” 2025).
Can you brush your teeth and use mouthrinse during Ramadan?
This question is of high debate amongst Muslims. As we know, Ramadan is to abstain from not only food and drink, but activities in general that will break their fast. Most contemporary Islamic scholars believe that tooth brushing and other adjuncts will not break one’s fast (Studio Arabiya, 2025). Intention is very important in Islam, and if one’s intention is to purely clean their teeth and to not derive satisfaction at the idea of swallowing water or paste, then it is permissible to brush one’s teeth. Tooth sticks, also known as a miswak, are another way to keep your teeth clean if you prefer not to use a toothbrush.
How can I mitigate bad breath throughout the day?
One way to decrease the incidence of bad breath is to be mindful of what you eat before sunrise and what you eat after sunset. It is best to make sure you are well hydrated as this will help with salivary flow. It is also best to limit eating foods with high concentrations of acid, sugar, and odor (Syed, 2024).
I know it feels tempting to eat everything in sight, but Ramadan also teaches Muslims to not indulge in excess and to practice eating until we are satisfied, not until our stomachs ache.
How do you fast if you have to take medications or manage systemic health diseases?
This is really dependent on how well managed your disease is and what is recommended by your physician. Ramadan does not “force” you to fast if you are unwell. People who are unable to fast due to medical reasons or puts their health at risk are not required to fast.
I am not Muslim, but what if I want to fast? Are there any benefits to fasting?
Anyone is allowed to fast or to observe Ramadan with their Muslim friends. There are health benefits to Ramadan if that is something that motivates you to participate. However, keep in mind that Muslims do not fast for the health benefits (although we appreciate them nonetheless). There are many reasons we fast as Muslims, but the most important one is that it is an obligation for us and is one of the five major pillars of Islam.
Fasting is similar to intermittent fasting, which can lead to benefits in improved glucose and insulin sensitivity in otherwise healthy adults. Weight loss may be seen in fasting individuals as well, however, it all depends on how you choose to hydrate and fuel yourself during nonfasting hours (Pittalwala, 2026). Additionally, fasting during Ramadan has been linked to reduction in inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarks, which are linked to atherosclerosis and metabolic syndrome (Alasmari, 2024).
There are also mental health benefits to fasting as well. For example, people report greater emotional stability, self-discipline, and overall spiritual fulfillment which can improve psychological well being. Fasting can also lead to a structured routine, which can lead to stress, anxiety, and depression reduction (Leon, 2024). Lastly, although you are unable to eat or drink, fasting during Ramadan can lead to improved mood and cognitive clarity.
At the end of the day, if you have any questions or concerns, please consult with your Imam or Islamic scholar. This article is not to act as guidance, but purely to act as a form of education regarding Ramadan and its effects on oral and systemic health.
To everyone who is observing Ramadan, may Allah (God) grant you ease!
And as always, Allah knows best!
Citations:
Alasmari, Abeer Abdallah, et al. “Ramadan Fasting Model Modulates Biomarkers of Longevity and Metabolism in Male Obese and Non-Obese Rats.” Nature News, Nature Publishing Group, 20 Nov. 2024, www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-79557-y?utm_source=perplexity.
How Fasting Affects Your Gums and Oral Health during Ramadan, monarchdentistry.ca/blog_detail/how-fasting-affects-your-oral-cavity?utm_source=perplexity. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.
Pittalwala, Iqbal. “The Science of Ramadan Fasting.” University of California, 26 Feb. 2026, www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/science-ramadan-fasting?utm_source=perplexity.
Rebecca Leon, MHC-LP. “The Impact of Ramadan on Mental Health.” Wove Therapy, Wove Therapy, 21 Mar. 2024, www.wovetherapy.com/blog/impact-of-ramadan-on-mental-health?utm_source=perplexity.
Studio Arabiya. “Can You Brush Your Teeth during Ramadan? A Guide for Fasters – Ramadan.” Studio Arabiya, 6 Oct. 2025, studioarabiya.com/can-you-brush-your-teeth-during-ramadan/?utm_source=perplexity.
Syed, Sakina. “Managing Halitosis during Ramadan – Dentistry.” Dentistry.Co.Uk, 7 Mar. 2024, dentistry.co.uk/2024/03/10/managing-halitosis-during-ramadan/?utm_source=perplexity.
