Does Brushing Your Teeth Break the Fast?
Can You Brush Your Teeth With Toothpaste While Fasting?
With the month of Ramadan, issues related to oral and dental health have once again come to the fore. People who avoid choking on water or toothpaste while fasting are researching what to do if this happens.
So, does brushing your teeth while fasting break the fast? Brushing your teeth does not break the fast as long as you do not swallow water or toothpaste. In the hadiths of our Prophet (pbuh), the use of the miswak is encouraged while fasting, which shows that cleaning your mouth does not break the fast. However, attention and care are essential in this regard.
The Presidency of Religious Affairs, which provides information on its official website about situations that break the fast, has ensured that no one has any questions about this issue. The explanation on the official page of the Presidency of Religious Affairs regarding the question of whether brushing teeth breaks the fast is as follows:
“Just as rinsing the mouth with water without letting water get into the throat does not break the fast, brushing the teeth does not break the fast either (al-Fatawa’l-Hindiyya, 1/202).”
Does Brushing Your Teeth While Fasting Break the Fast?
When fasting, an unpleasant odor occurs in the mouth due to both prolonged hunger and thirst. Does brushing teeth break the fast? This is a topic brought to the agenda by the Directorate of Religious Affairs. If you are going to fast this Ramadan and are worried about whether brushing teeth while fasting breaks the fast, let us share with you the information we have received from the right sources.
If you use toothpaste while taking care of your mouth, you may wonder whether brushing your teeth with toothpaste breaks the fast. If you happen to come across the call to prayer while brushing your teeth after finishing eating at sahur time, you may wonder whether brushing your teeth while the call to prayer is being called breaks the fast.
The Directorate of Religious Affairs answered questions about whether or not one can brush their teeth while fasting. The official statement from the Directorate of Religious Affairs on its website:
“Just as rinsing the mouth with water without letting water get into the throat does not break the fast, brushing the teeth does not break the fast either (al-Fatawa’l-Hindiyya, I, 220).
However, if toothpaste or water gets into the throat, the fast is broken. Considering the possibility of breaking the fast, it is appropriate to brush the teeth before imsak and after iftar, and not to use toothpaste if brushing while fasting.”
According to this statement by the Directorate of Religious Affairs, there is no harm in brushing teeth while fasting. If you are wondering if brushing teeth with toothpaste breaks the fast, if toothpaste or water gets into the throat while brushing, the fast is broken. Therefore, if you are going to brush your teeth while fasting, you should be careful. As long as water or toothpaste does not get into the throat, brushing your teeth carefully does not break the fast.
You may also be wondering if toothpaste breaks the fast because you are concerned that some ingredients in toothpaste may be absorbed through the tongue, palate or gums . Just as the absorption of medical creams applied to the skin does not break the fast because it does not involve eating or drinking, the possibility of absorption from toothpaste does not break the fast either.
Another question most frequently asked to the Directorate of Religious Affairs is whether using mouthwash or chewing gum to prevent bad breath harms the fast. The Directorate of Religious Affairs’ answer to this question is:
“Anything that is taken through the mouth or nose and reaches the stomach breaks the fast. Therefore, if a spray or similar substance that is sprayed into the mouth to prevent bad breath or relieve toothache is swallowed and reaches the stomach, it breaks the fast; if it is not swallowed, it does not break the fast.”
“Since the gums produced today contain additives that dissolve in the mouth, it is not possible to avoid swallowing them, no matter how careful you are. For this reason, chewing this type of gum breaks the fast (Ibn bidîn, Raddü’l-mukhtar, III, 395, 396). On the other hand, since it is not possible to know which gum does not break the fast, one should avoid chewing gum while fasting.”
It is recommended to brush your teeth before Imsak to avoid breaking your fast . Unless absolutely necessary, it is recommended not to brush your teeth while fasting. However, if you are going to brush your teeth while fasting, it is more appropriate not to use toothpaste.
Does Using Miswak Break the Fast?
The Prophet (pbuh) used a miswak to clean his teeth. Today, a toothbrush is used instead of a miswak. The statement of the Presidency of Religious Affairs regarding brushing teeth also applies to those who use a miswak. If water or toothpaste gets into the throat while brushing, the fast is broken and must be made up.
According to the statements of the Directorate of Religious Affairs, using miswak during ablution is sunnah. It is known that our Prophet also used miswak to clean his mouth. With this information, it is not possible to include miswak among the things that break the fast.
The point that should be taken into consideration in order not to break the fast is to not let water or other oral care products get into the throat.
According to research, saliva production in the mouth decreases while fasting. Since bacteria cannot be cleaned, bad breath, tooth decay and various gum problems can occur. If the teeth are not cleaned after sahur, more bacteria will settle in the mouth. If you do not want to have tooth or gum problems, do not forget to brush your teeth after iftar and sahur. After all, cleanliness comes from faith.
Frequently Asked Questions About Brushing Your Teeth While Fasting
If a person brushes his teeth, does his fast break?
After you make the intention, your fast is considered to have started. According to the statement of the Directorate of Religious Affairs, brushing your teeth without using toothpaste or swallowing it does not break the fast. Therefore, if you want to brush your teeth after making the intention and are careful not to swallow water or toothpaste, your fast will not be broken after the intention.
It is recommended that the person who intends to fast should brush their teeth carefully so that their fast is not harmed. They should take water into their mouth in a controlled manner and spit it out carefully.
Does the Taste of Toothpaste Break the Fast?
After brushing your teeth with toothpaste, you should rinse your mouth with plenty of water. If toothpaste or water gets into your throat, yes, it breaks your fast. Therefore, brushing your teeth before imsak may be more beneficial for your fast.
How to Brush Teeth While Fasting?
The most reliable way to brush your teeth while fasting is to brush them with just a toothbrush without using toothpaste. If you are going to brush with toothpaste, you should rinse your mouth thoroughly and spit out the remaining water, being careful not to swallow it. Water or toothpaste that gets into your throat breaks your fast.
Can You Brush Your Teeth While Fasting?
Yes, it is permissible to brush your teeth while fasting; however, it is important to make sure that toothpaste or water does not go down your throat and into your stomach. If this happens, the fast is broken. Using a miswak instead of toothpaste is a safer alternative.
How to Brush Teeth During Ramadan?
When brushing teeth during Ramadan, care should be taken to use less toothpaste and not to let water get into the throat. It is especially recommended to clean teeth after iftar and sahur. It is sunnah to pay attention to oral hygiene; however, precautions should be taken to protect the fast.
Does Brushing Teeth in the Morning Break the Fast?
Brushing your teeth in the morning does not break the fast, but only if the toothpaste or water does not get into your stomach. If something gets into your throat, it breaks the fast and requires a missed fast. Therefore, a careful method should be followed for brushing your teeth in the morning.
How to Clean Teeth While Fasting?
While fasting, teeth can be cleaned with a miswak or toothbrush without toothpaste. This protects oral health and eliminates the risk of breaking the fast. Also, care should be taken to prevent water from entering the stomach while rinsing the mouth.
Does Toothpaste Break the Fast?
Toothpaste does not break the fast, but if it gets into the throat, it invalidates the fast. Therefore, it is recommended to use very small amounts of toothpaste. Brushing without toothpaste or using a miswak may be more effective in preventing this risk.
Does Wearing a Palate Guard Break the Fast?
Wearing a palatal guard does not break the fast, because it does not result in anything reaching the stomach. However, care should be taken not to swallow the substances on the palatal guard. During cleaning, care should be taken to ensure that the inside of the mouth is well-ventilated.
