Brushing Teeth on Shabbos
Question: Is it permitted to brush one’s teeth on Shabbos, with or without toothpaste?
Discussion: The consensus of contemporary poskim is that it is forbidden to use toothpaste on Shabbos.66 Their main concern is that applying toothpaste to the teeth or the brush could result in a transgression of the prohibited Shabbos Labor of Memareiach, smoothing. Liquid toothpaste, however, is permitted, since Smoothing does not apply to liquids,
Brushing without toothpaste is permitted,67 provided that the following conditions are met:
- Use a toothbrush that is designated for Shabbos use only.68 Some poskim require that the Shabbos toothbrush also look different from the weekday one, e.g., be of a distinct color or style.69
- Use a soft brush so as not to irritate the gums and cause bleeding. [People with extremely sensitive gums who bleed whenever they brush their teeth may not use a toothbrush at all.]
- To avoid the prohibition of Sechitah, squeezing, a dry toothbrush should be used. It is, however, permitted to first rinse the mouth with water [or dab the teeth with liquid toothpaste] and then use the toothbrush.70
- The toothbrush should not be rinsed off after it was used unless it is going to be used again on that same Shabbos.71
66. Igros Moshe, O.C. 1:112; Seridei Eish 2:28; Minchas Yitzchak 3:48; Tzitz Eliezer 7:30; Shevet ha-Levi 5:45. [While a minority opinion permits using toothpaste—see Ketzos ha-Shulchan (Badei ha-Shulchan 138:31), Gevuros Eliyahu, O.C. 91; Yabia Omer 4:27-30 and Nefesh ha-Rav, pg. 168—it is almost universally accepted not to do so.]
67. See Minchas Shelomo 2:35:3.
68. Based on Mishnah Berurah 327:10.
69. Minchas Yitzchak 3:48; 3:50.
70. Igros Moshe, O.C. 1:112; Shevet ha-Levi 5:45.
71. Igros Moshe, O.C. 1:112. See also Gevuros Eliyahu, O.C. 91.