Question:

Is it sufficient to use miswak and to leave off brushing teeth?

Answer:

Some of the scholars wouldn’t see a difference between using a regular miswak and brushing his teeth with something because they said the main objective is not actually what is being used . Rather, the objective is the purification of the mouth.

قال النووي: “وبأي شيء استاك مما يزيل التغير والقلح أجزأه.

Imaam Nawawi said

“With whatever he may use as a miswak of that which will remove the changing of the smell of ones breath and the yellowness on ones teeth then it is sufficient for him”

However the majority of the scholars mentioned it is recommended it be from the tree Araak while using a siwaak is usually sufficient for the person.

Reported on the Prophet (Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) “Brushing with miswak purifies the mouth” (Refer to Medicine of the Prophet by Ibn Qayyim)

Likewise one can use the miswak toothpaste.

~ Abu Fajr AbdulFattaah bin Uthman