Islam introduced basic oral hygiene by incorporating it as a religious practice. Islam teaches the importance of cleanliness of the body as well as of the mind. Several quotations are found in the compendium of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), as to the benefits of Miswak in oral hygiene. For example: Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), said: "Siwak purifies the mouth and pleases Allah'and said:
Were it not to be a hardship on my community, I would have ordered them to use Siwak for every ablution.'