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can you brush your teeth during ramadan

Yes, you can brush your teeth during Ramadan while fasting , as long as you do not swallow water, toothpaste, or any other substance, whether intentionally or through clear negligence.

Can You Brush Your Teeth During Ramadan?

Quick Scoop

  • You are allowed to clean your mouth (with toothbrush or miswak) while fasting.
  • The fast only breaks if something reaches the throat and is swallowed deliberately (like water, toothpaste, or food particles).
  • Many scholars say it’s better to brush carefully or do it mainly at Suhoor and after Iftar to avoid risk.

Think of it this way: the goal is cleanliness without “eating or drinking” anything through the mouth.

What Scholars Say

Islamic scholars generally agree on a few key points:

  • Using a toothbrush or a tooth stick (miswak) while fasting does not break the fast if nothing is swallowed.
  • Classical scholars like Ibn Taymiyyah stated that fasting is not broken by brushing teeth or using miswak, whether fresh or dry.
  • Some contemporary scholars consider toothpaste makruh (disliked) during the day because its strong taste makes swallowing more likely, but they still say the fast is valid if nothing is swallowed.

Different websites and fatwa portals repeat the same principle:

  • The act of brushing is allowed.
  • The problem is swallowing something that has a taste and substance.

Best Times to Brush (Practically Speaking)

Many teachers and dentists suggest a simple routine to stay safe and fresh:

  1. Before Fajr (Suhoor time)
    • Brush properly with toothpaste.
    • Rinse well so no paste is left hanging around.
  1. After Iftar and at Night
    • Brush again after eating to remove food particles and prevent cavities.
    • Floss if you can, plus mouthwash after Iftar is fine.
  1. During the Day (while fasting)
    • You may brush, but:
      • Use a small amount of toothpaste or just water/miswak.
      • Keep the brush forward in the mouth, not too deep.
      • Spit everything out and rinse carefully without gulping.

How People Discuss It Online (Forum Vibes)

On Muslim forums (Reddit and similar spaces), you’ll often see something like:

“Short answer: You can brush your teeth and use chapstick.”

Common themes in those discussions:

  • Reassurance that the Prophet ﷺ used miswak repeatedly while fasting, which supports cleaning the mouth in general.
  • People who are anxious about swallowing often choose:
    • Miswak only during the day.
    • Full toothpaste routine only before Fajr and after Maghrib.
  • Others are comfortable brushing with a little toothpaste mid‑day, but they rinse very carefully and spit multiple times.

This mix shows a spectrum: from “totally fine if careful” to “I avoid toothpaste during the day just to be safe,” but not “brushing = invalid fast.”

Practical Tips to Stay Safe

To keep your fast safe and your breath reasonable:

  • Use very little toothpaste when fasting, or skip it and use only water/miswak.
  • Tilt your head slightly down while brushing so foam flows out, not back.
  • Rinse several times and spit thoroughly; don’t gargle deeply.
  • If you feel some paste or flavored water has clearly gone down your throat on purpose , that would break the fast according to most scholars.
  • If something tiny goes down by accident despite being careful, many scholars hold that your fast is still valid, though you should try harder next time.

Mini Multi‑View Summary Table

[3][5][7] [1][9][3] [5][9][3] [1][3]
Issue View Does it break the fast?
Brushing with only water/miswak Permitted any time of day if nothing is swallowed. No
Brushing with toothpaste (careful, nothing swallowed) Allowed but sometimes described as disliked due to risk. No
Brushing with toothpaste and swallowing foam or paste intentionally Considered like eating/drinking. Yes
Bad breath during fasting Spiritually rewarded, but you can still clean your mouth. Not applicable

Bottom Line (TL;DR)

  • You can brush your teeth during Ramadan while fasting.
  • Your fast is still valid as long as you do not swallow water, toothpaste, or other substance.
  • To stay extra safe, make your main brushing times Suhoor and after Iftar, and be cautious if brushing in the daytime.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.