Miswak is one of the oldest known ways of cleaning the teeth, but its story is much bigger than a historical curiosity. It remains part of everyday oral care for millions of people across the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
What is Miswak?
Miswak, also called Sewak or Siwak, is a natural tooth cleaning stick. The word describes both the stick itself and the act of using it to clean the mouth.
Miswak can be prepared from several plants, although the species most closely associated with it is Salvadora persica. This shrub or small tree is sometimes known as the toothbrush tree or arak tree.
Where does Miswak come from?
Salvadora persica grows across a wide area stretching through parts of India, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, the Arabian Peninsula, Egypt and Africa. The roots, twigs and stems have traditionally been cut into small sticks and prepared for cleaning the teeth.
When the end is softened and gently chewed, the plant fibres separate into a small natural brush. These fibres provide mechanical cleaning while compounds from the plant are released during use.
How far back does its history go?
The history of tooth cleaning sticks reaches deep into the ancient world. Academic reviews trace their use to the Babylonians as early as around 3500 BC. Similar practices later appeared in ancient Egyptian, Greek, Roman, African, Arabian and Asian cultures.
It is important to be precise here. The historical evidence concerns chewing sticks used for cleaning the teeth. It does not prove that every ancient culture used the exact same plant species or prepared it in exactly the same way as modern Miswak.
Miswak in Islamic tradition
Miswak has a particularly important place in Islamic life. Its use was encouraged by the Prophet Muhammad as part of cleanliness and preparation for worship. This helped preserve the practice across generations, especially in Muslim communities, while many other ancient oral care customs disappeared.
For many people Miswak is therefore both practical and meaningful. It connects daily cleanliness with a tradition that has continued for centuries.
How was Miswak traditionally used?
A fresh end of the stick was softened, then used to clean the surfaces of the teeth and along the gum line. Once the fibres became worn, the end could be trimmed and prepared again.
Traditional users valued Miswak for cleaning and polishing the teeth, refreshing the mouth and its portability. It needed no plastic handle, electricity or tube of paste.
What does modern research say?
Research into Salvadora persica has examined its physical cleaning action and naturally occurring compounds. Reviews have reported evidence relating to plaque control and gingival health when Miswak is used correctly. The results depend on technique, frequency and the form in which Miswak is used.
A raw Miswak stick is not identical to a modern toothpaste containing Miswak extract. Evidence about the plant or chewing stick should not automatically be treated as proof about every finished product. Sewak therefore separates the wider research on Miswak from the clinical testing performed on our own toothpaste.
Why did Miswak inspire Sewak toothpaste?
Miswak has endured because it is simple, familiar and rooted in useful tradition. Sewak takes inspiration from that history and brings Miswak extract into a modern 100 ml toothpaste developed for everyday use.
Our first formula combines Miswak extract with black seed oil. It is 93% natural origin, contains no artificial sweeteners, is fluoride free and vegan friendly. The tube and cap are 100% recyclable.
Explore the Sewak formula and clinical findings
Frequently asked questions
Are Miswak and Sewak the same thing?
The words are commonly used for the same tooth cleaning tradition. Spellings vary between languages and regions. We chose Sewak as our brand name while using Miswak when discussing the plant and its wider history.
Is Miswak a type of tree?
Miswak describes the tooth cleaning stick. The best known source is Salvadora persica, often called the toothbrush tree or arak tree.
Does Sewak toothpaste replace a raw Miswak stick?
They are different formats. A raw stick cleans through direct use of its fibres and plant material. Sewak is a formulated toothpaste containing Miswak extract and intended for use with a toothbrush.
How old is the tradition?
Academic reviews trace tooth cleaning sticks to ancient Babylon around 3500 BC. The wider practice has continued in different forms for thousands of years.
Sources and further reading
- Halawany, A review on Miswak and its effect on various aspects of oral health, 2012
- Haque and Alsareii, A review of the therapeutic effects of using Miswak, 2015
- Niazi and colleagues, Role of Salvadora persica chewing stick in oral health, 2016
- Nordin and colleagues, Miswak and oral health: an evidence based review, 2020
This page discusses the history and published research surrounding Miswak. It is educational information and does not replace advice from a dentist.