Can I brush my teeth while fasting?
Yes. Brushing your teeth doesn't break your fast, as long as you don't swallow the toothpaste or water. Using a miswak (a natural tooth-cleaning stick) is a sunnah, and most scholars say it's fine during the fast. To be extra careful, many Muslims brush with toothpaste before Fajr and use only a miswak or a dry brush during the day.
Clean teeth are part of the sunnah
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ loved oral hygiene. He said: "If I had not found it hard for my followers, I would have ordered them to clean their teeth with siwak for every prayer" (Sahih al-Bukhari 887).
Fasting doesn't cancel that. Most scholars allow the miswak throughout the fasting day. See Can I chew gum while fasting?
What about toothpaste?
Toothpaste doesn't break your fast if you don't swallow it. Some scholars consider it disliked during the fast, because the strong flavor easily reaches the throat. That's why many Muslims save toothpaste for the pre-dawn meal (suhoor) and after iftar.
If a tiny bit slips down by accident, most scholars say your fast is still valid, because it wasn't intentional. More on that in Does swallowing my spit break my fast?
After midday?
The Shafi'i and Hanbali schools consider using a miswak after midday disliked for someone fasting. Other scholars say it's fine all day. If you follow the first view, simply clean your teeth in the morning.
A simple Ramadan routine
- Before Fajr: brush normally with toothpaste.
- During the day: miswak, or a dry toothbrush, if you need a fresh mouth.
- Rinsing: rinse gently and spit it all out. Don't gargle deeply.
- Mouthwash: best saved for after iftar.
- After iftar: brush again with toothpaste.
A tongue scraper is fine anytime. It removes the cause of bad breath without adding anything to your mouth.
What about the dentist? Many scholars say a check-up, cleaning or filling doesn't break your fast, as long as you don't swallow water or materials, and a local anesthetic injection is fine too. If it's not urgent, booking the appointment after iftar or outside Ramadan saves you the worry.
- Brushing doesn't break your fast if you don't swallow.
- Miswak is a sunnah, even while fasting.
- Many prefer toothpaste before Fajr and after iftar only.
- Accidental tiny swallowing doesn't break the fast for most scholars.
People also ask
Can Muslims listen to music during Ramadan?
It depends. Music doesn't break your fast, but scholars differ on it and many Muslims pause music in Ramadan to focus on the Quran.
Read the full answer →When does Ramadan start in 2027?
Ramadan 2027 is expected to start on Monday, 8 February, depending on the moon. Here's how the date is set and when Eid al-Fitr falls.
Read the full answer →Do I have to fast Ramadan in my first year as a Muslim?
Yes, if you're a healthy adult. Normal exemptions apply, and if you convert mid-Ramadan you fast the remaining days only.
Read the full answer →Can I chew gum while fasting?
No, flavored and sugar-free gum break the fast for most scholars. Here's why, plus mints, nicotine gum, and what if you chewed by mistake.
Read the full answer →Does swallowing my spit break my fast?
No. Swallowing your own saliva never breaks your fast. Here's what about phlegm, tasting food, wudu water and eating by mistake.
Read the full answer →