Welcome to the Holy month of Ramadhan! We all know that this sacred month is dedicated for Muslims to not only fast for 12-13 hours a day, but also practice self-discipline, purifying the mind and body to empathize with the less fortunate.
According to science (and the Quran!), fasting offers numerous therapeutic benefits, including improved blood sugar levels, and lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. However, having a dry mouth usually triggers foul breath… which is not cute. If you’ve been wondering how to keep your mouth fresh during Ramadan, here are some good oral hygiene tips for the fasting period.
Related article: Avert Tooth Discolouration With These 6 Foods!
1. Don’t eat heavy foods during sahur
Certain foods are more likely to cause mouth odour. Additional ingredients such as garlic, onions and chillies tend to enter the bloodstream and move to the lungs, and are then breathed out, with their effect lasting for a long time. Food like fish and red meat also may lead to bad breath. So please avoid them during sahur. Eat something light, such as dates, oats, bread or bananas.
2. Make sure to hydrate during sahur and upon breaking your fast
This not only keeps you hydrated between dawn and dusk, but also keeps bad breath at bay. Water aids in the removal of food particles, another source of foul breath, and hence the prevention of halitosis. Avoiding caffeine, excess salt and other foods that lead to dehydration will hold you in good stead, both when you’re fasting and for oral hygiene purposes.
Read also: To Caf-fiends: Here’s A Reminder For You To Undergo A Caffeine Detox
3. Do not brush your teeth immediately after sahur
Whether you’re fasting or not, you should never clean your teeth just after eating. It is suggested that you wait 30 to 60 minutes after eating before brushing your teeth. The reason for this is that when we eat, our salivary acid levels rise, and our teeth are at their weakest. Brushing at this point can cause significant damage to the tooth enamel. Waiting 30 minutes or more allows saliva to neutralise the mouth environment and aid in acid recovery.
More on body odour? Read this:
https://lipstiq.com/body-care/178413/bad-body-odour-blame-it-on-your-diet/