Bad breath is one of the problems that many complain about during the fasting month. This problem can make a person suddenly not confident to communicate and interact with other people.
The cause of bad breath during this fasting month is due to reduced saliva levels. In fact, saliva has an important role to protect the mouth from the growth of bacteria in it.
The problem of bad breath during fasting can actually be prevented. By drinking lots of water at dawn, gargling with mouthwash, not smoking, until the quick way is to brush your teeth.
But when you are fasting, can you brush your teeth?
Complete Facts and Rules Regarding Toothbrushing While Fasting
Rules for brushing teeth during fasting
Quoting from Inews.co.uk, there are many misunderstandings related to brushing teeth while fasting. However, most Islamic scholars say if this is allowed, that means it doesn't invalidate it.
But for the record, scholars say it is important not to ingest toothpaste and instead recommend brushing bare teeth during fasting hours, which means not using toothpaste.
Outside of the daytime, brushing your teeth with toothpaste is not a problem. However, outside this time it is more advisable to just brush your teeth empty, this avoids swallowing toothpaste.
Prophet Muhammad SAW also used siwak which is a stick or twig from an arak tree to clean his teeth during Ramadan.
You can brush your teeth, as long as you are careful to swallow
Continuing from the previous explanation, quoting from the Islam Question & Answer, Sheikh Ibn Baz Rahimahullah said it is permissible to brush your teeth while fasting as long as you can avoid swallowing it.
"It is okay as long as you are careful to avoid swallowing it, as it is prescribed in Islam for people who fast to use a siwak (tooth stick," (Fatawa al-Shaykh Ibn Baz, 4/247).
Furthermore, Sheikh Muhammad al-Salih bin 'Utsaimin also had an opinion about toothpaste.
"... This brings us to the question: Is it permissible to use a toothbrush and toothpaste while fasting or not?"
The answer is yes. However, it should not be used because the toothpaste is too strong and can enter the throat. Instead of doing this during the day, you can do it when you are about to start fasting and at night. (Al-Sharh al Mumti' by Ibn 'Utsaimin, 6/407-408).
In conclusion, brushing your teeth while fasting is indeed permissible. But, it is recommended not to use toothpaste, avoiding the risk of being swallowed.
