Ramadan is a time of reflection and spiritual closeness. Yet many people postpone visiting the dentist during fasting due to recurring concerns:
Does scaling during fasting invalidate the fast?
Is tooth extraction during fasting permissible?
What about local anesthetic injections?
These concerns are understandable. However, both from a religious and medical perspective, dental treatment during fasting does not invalidate the fast, as long as nothing is intentionally swallowed.
Religious Foundation: Dental Treatment Does Not Invalidate Fasting
The Indonesian Council of Ulama (Majelis Ulama Indonesia) through Fatwa No. 250/E/MUI-KB/V/2018 states that dental procedures such as:
Scaling (tartar removal),
Tooth extraction,
Dental fillings,
Root canal treatment,
Local anesthetic injections,
do not invalidate fasting, provided that no blood, water, or material is intentionally swallowed.
In principle, fasting is invalidated when something enters the body deliberately through an open cavity and provides nourishment. Dental procedures do not fall into this category.
Therefore, dental treatment during fasting remains permissible and valid according to Islamic law.
Is Scaling During Fasting Safe?
Scaling during fasting often raises concerns because it involves water and the possibility of gum bleeding.
From a religious standpoint, scaling does not invalidate fasting as long as:
Rinse water is not swallowed
Blood is not intentionally swallowed
From a medical perspective, scaling is particularly important before or during Ramadan. Tartar buildup can trigger gum inflammation and worsen bad breath, especially when saliva production decreases during fasting.
Delaying scaling for too long increases the risk of periodontal inflammation, which in certain cases may affect overall systemic health.
In clinics with high clinical standards, procedures are performed with optimal suction control to minimize any risk of swallowing fluids.
Is Tooth Extraction Permissible During Fasting?
Tooth extraction during fasting also does not invalidate the fast, provided that blood is not intentionally swallowed.
If extraction is necessary due to infection or severe pain, delaying treatment may worsen the condition. Untreated dental infections can spread to surrounding tissues and lead to broader complications.
In Islam, preserving health is part of one’s responsibility. Treating a necessary medical condition is not a violation of worship, but rather a way to maintain the quality of worship itself.
Does Local Anesthesia Invalidate Fasting?
Local anesthetic injections do not invalidate fasting because:
They do not enter through an open cavity such as the mouth
They are not nutritional substances
They work locally rather than as food or drink
Medically, local anesthesia simply blocks pain transmission in a specific area. It does not affect the digestive system and is not considered an intake that invalidates fasting.
Medical Perspective: Do Not Delay Emergency Conditions
Postponing dental treatment during fasting out of fear of invalidating the fast may lead to greater risks.
Acute infection, abscess, or severe pain can:
Disrupt sleep quality
Reduce immune function
Interfere with worship activities
Trigger systemic complications
Health is the foundation that allows worship to be carried out optimally. In emergency situations, medical treatment becomes a responsibility toward the body entrusted to us.
Safe Tips for Dental Treatment During Ramadan
To make dental treatment during fasting more comfortable, you may:
Schedule appointments in the morning when energy levels are more stable
Choose a time close to iftar if that feels more reassuring
Inform your dentist that you are fasting
Clear communication allows procedures to be performed with additional care and consideration.
FAQ: Dental Treatment During Fasting
Q: Does scaling during fasting invalidate the fast?
A: No, as long as water and blood are not intentionally swallowed.
Q: Is tooth extraction during fasting permissible?
A: Yes. It does not invalidate the fast, provided nothing is intentionally swallowed.
Q: Do anesthetic injections invalidate fasting?
A: No. They are not nutritional and do not enter through an open cavity.
Conclusion
Based on the MUI Fatwa, procedures such as scaling, tooth extraction, and local anesthesia do not invalidate fasting as long as nothing is intentionally swallowed.
From a medical perspective, delaying necessary treatment may worsen health conditions.
Learn more about Onyx Dental Center Treatments:
Fasting is an act of balance, not a prohibition against receiving needed medical care. Maintaining oral health means preserving comfort, peace of mind, and the quality of worship throughout Ramadan.
References
Majelis Ulama Indonesia. (2018). Fatwa Majelis Ulama Indonesia Nomor 250/E/MUI-KB/V/2018.
2. Raja, A., Anees, K., & Bedi, R. (2000). Transcultural oral health care: 3. Dental care and treatment during the fast of Ramadan. Dental Update, 27(8), 392–394. https://doi.org/10.12968/denu.2000.27.8.392
Tyagi, S., & Mathur, N. (2021). Ramadan fasting and dental implications: A special review. Journal of Dental Research and Review, 8(1), 55–58. https://doi.org/10.4103/jdrr.jdrr_86_20
