Miswak Stick (1 Pack)

One miswak stick, about 6 inches long, cut from the root of the Salvadora persica tree and vacuum sealed on its own, so it stays fresh until you open it. Nothing is added: no flavors, no chemicals.

A miswak needs no toothpaste. Use it alongside your regular toothbrush and dental checkups, not instead of them.

How do you use a miswak stick?

Trim it, chew it, brush gently. There is a small learning curve, so give it a few tries.

1. Trim the tip. Cut about ½ inch (1 cm) of bark off one end to reach the pale fiber underneath. Each stick arrives vacuum sealed and ready to use, so there is nothing to soak.
2. Chew, then brush. Chew the bare tip for about a minute until the fibers open up into bristles. Your saliva softens them, so no water is needed. Brush along the gumline with short, light strokes for two minutes, twice a day. Let the fibers do the work. Pressing hard is what hurts gums.
3. Dry, store, trim. Spit out any loose fibers, then stand the stick tip-up in open air. No rinse is needed. Don't keep it in a sealed case or a cup of water. Cut off the used tip every day or two.

For all eight steps, read our guide on how to use a miswak.

Where do our miswak sticks come from?

Our sticks are cut from the roots of Salvadora persica trees grown in Pakistan. It is often called the toothbrush tree, and people across the Middle East, Africa and South Asia have cleaned their teeth with it for centuries. For Muslims, using the miswak is a Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, especially before prayer.

We are also working on the two things that put most people off a miswak: mold on a damp stick and the earthy taste. That work is under way through the MSc Nanotechnology for Medicine and Healthcare program at the University of Oxford. Read about our research.

What does the research say?

Miswak has been studied for decades, in more than 30 published papers. Here is what the evidence supports, and how strong it is.

• Plaque (clinically studied): used with the right technique, a miswak cleans plaque about as well as a toothbrush. Trials found it does the most good alongside a toothbrush.
• Gums (clinically studied): clinical trials have measured its effect on gingivitis (gum inflammation) in adults, and a 2022 meta-analysis reviewed them together.
• Natural compounds (lab studies): the root naturally contains benzyl isothiocyanate and salvadorine, along with silica, tannins, vitamin C and trace fluoride. In lab tests, benzyl isothiocyanate from the root was highly active against some bacteria.
• Stains (limited evidence): it lifts surface stains gradually. It does not bleach teeth or change their natural color.

A miswak is part of your oral care, not a medical treatment. If your gums have pulled back or your teeth are sensitive, keep the pressure light and ask your dentist.

Miswak stick vs plastic and electric toothbrushes

The research points to using a miswak with your toothbrush, not choosing one over the other.

Questions people ask

How long does one miswak stick last?

Used correctly, one stick lasts at least 1 month and up to 3 months. Trim the used tip every day or two and let the stick dry between uses. Replace it sooner if it smells off or starts turning black.

Do I need toothpaste with a miswak?

No. The stick works without toothpaste. Keep brushing with your regular toothbrush too, because a miswak does the most good alongside it.

Should I soak my miswak before using it?

No. A miswak works without water. Each stick arrives vacuum sealed and pliable, and chewing the tip for about a minute lets your saliva soften the fibers. If a stick feels stiff, chew it a little longer instead of soaking it, because soaked fibers turn limp and don't clean well.

Why is my miswak turning black?

Black marks usually mean mold has grown in damp fiber, so throw that stick away. Store your miswak tip-up in open air, never in a sealed case. Read why a miswak turns black.

Can children use a miswak?

Yes, with an adult watching. A chewed tip is a choking risk, so supervise any child using one.

Does a miswak whiten teeth?

It lifts surface stains gradually with regular use. It does not bleach teeth or change their natural color.

Sources

• Ramli, H. et al. (2022). The effectiveness of miswak practices in reducing plaque and gingivitis among adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 298:115598.
• Sofrata, A. et al. (2011). Benzyl isothiocyanate, a major component from the roots of Salvadora persica is highly active against Gram-negative bacteria. PLOS ONE, 6(8):e23045.
• Altintepe Dogan, S. S. et al. (2024). Evaluation of bacterial contamination of miswak toothbrushes in different storage environments. Annals of Medical Research, 31(3):190–198.
• American Dental Association, Toothbrushes (MouthHealthy).

Full list of studies: our research page.