Dear Brother, Assalaamoalaikum The Holy Messenger(SAW) used a miswaak to clean his teeth. He, no doubt, knew of the importance of cleaning one's teeth. At that time, there was no toothbrush as we have today. The miswaak was the toothbrush of the Holy Messenger's time. Nothing more - except may be that contrary to a toothbrush, the fact that the miswaak comes from a plant/tree, it may contain properties that an ordinary toothbrush does not. But then, does the toothpaste replace the "chemical" properties of the miswaak? Hope above may provide answers to your questions. Allah(SWT) Knows Best Brotherly yours farook