Stay Fresh During Fasting: Guidelines for Maintaining Oral Health in Ramadan

JAKARTA - Fasting does not mean that we ignore oral health. In fact, changes in eating patterns during Ramadan require us to pay more attention to dental hygiene so that the breath remains fresh and the worship remains comfortable.

Director of RSGM Gusti Hasan Aman, drg. Mashuda, emphasized that the momentum of Ramadan is the right time to improve overall health quality, starting from the oral cavity.

One of the challenges of fasting is leftover food that is left for a long time due to the reduced frequency of eating.

"Food waste that is left for 24 hours without being cleaned can harden and form dental caries," explained drg. Mashuda as reported by ANTARA.

In addition, high sugar and carbohydrate consumption during the fasting period if not cleaned properly, has the potential to trigger enamel damage and cause cavities.

So that the condition of the mouth remains in good condition during fasting, here are practical steps that you can apply:

Fiber Eating Pattern: During sahur and breaking the fast, increase the consumption of vegetables and fruits. Natural fiber in fruit is not only good for digestion, but also helps the natural cleaning process on the surface of the teeth.

Ritual Brushing Teeth at Night: Don't go straight to bed after tarawih. Make sure to brush your teeth before going to bed to ensure there are no rotten food leftovers throughout the night.

Post-Sahur Toothbrush: Before the time of Subuh arrives, get used to brushing your teeth again to ensure that the mouth cavity is in a total clean state before starting to fast all day.

Limit Excess Sugar: Avoid overly sweet foods during sahur because it can increase acidity in the mouth that triggers plaque.

By disciplining yourself to keep your teeth clean and a healthy diet, you can avoid problems with bad breath and tooth pain, so that the focus of worship is maintained until the day of victory arrives.