Prayer TimesIn essence, every human being is beautiful and uniquely created. Allah the Almighty says in the Qur'an:
“Verily, We created man in the best and most beautiful form.” (Surah At-Tin, 4).
That is why everyone wants their teeth to be straight and attractive, just like the rest of their body. Nowadays, new orthodontic technologies are used to straighten teeth, including removable and fixed dentures, dental plates, and braces. Braces also reduce the risk of dental disease, lower the chance of gum problems, help with clearer speech, enhance facial aesthetics, and improve breathing.
Hadiths mention that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) took special care of his teeth. On one occasion, he said:
“If it were not difficult for my ummah, I would have commanded them to clean their teeth before every prayer.”
(Bukhari and Muslim). The Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) would clean his teeth when leaving and returning home, and before every prayer. He also instructed cleaning the teeth before the night prayer (tahajjud), as angels are drawn to pleasant scents.
Braces are also important for health, as they contribute to a beautiful smile and help preserve teeth into old age.
Experts say that the size, bite, and alignment of teeth, as well as oral parameters, affect the health of the gums, and even the stomach and intestines. Nevertheless, healthy teeth are undoubtedly a great blessing from Allah.
It is permissible in Sharia to get braces to treat, conceal a defect, or improve appearance by straightening crooked teeth. This is because the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:
“O servants of Allah, seek treatment! For Allah has created both the disease and its cure.”
(Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah).
Getting braces to straighten or restore teeth is not considered changing the creation of Allah. A person who gets braces is not sinful. Furthermore, having braces does not prevent the validity of wudu or ghusl.
This content was drafted with AI assistance and reviewed by an editor.