Question:
A person has braces, which involves metal being glued onto the surface of the teeth. Will this person’s [fardh] ghusl be intact if they do the necessary gargle but the water doesn’t touch the surfaces of the teeth which are covered by the glue?
Answer:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
In principle, it is obligatory for water to reach the teeth during Ghusl.
If one has an option to select braces which are not glued on and are removable, then such braces should be selected and benefited from.
If such an option is not available or it is inadvisable as per the consultation of a dentist, then one may use glued on braces.
If one is unable to wash the teeth due to a genuine medical condition, then it will suffice by merely rinsing the mouth, even if water does not come into contact with all the teeth.[1]
Whilst wearing braces, you should rinse your mouth. Your Ghusl will be valid in this scenario.
And Allah Ta’ālā Knows Best
Mufti Faraz Adam,
www.darulfiqh.com
[1] وَذَكَرَ شَمْسُ الْأَئِمَّةِ الْحَلْوَانِيُّ إذَا كَانَ فِي أَعْضَائِهِ شِقَاقٌ وَقَدْ عَجَزَ عَنْ غَسْلِهِ سَقَطَ عَنْهُ فَرْضُ الْغُسْلِ وَيَلْزَمُ إمْرَارُ الْمَاءِ عَلَيْهِ فَإِنْ عَجَزَ مِنْ إمْرَارِ الْمَاءِ يَكْفِيهِ الْمَسْحُ فَإِنْ عَجَزَ عَنْ الْمَسْحِ سَقَطَ عَنْهُ الْمَسْحُ أَيْضًا فَيَغْسِلُ مَا حَوْلَهُ وَيَتْرُكُ ذَلِكَ الْمَوْضِعَ. كَذَا فِي الذَّخِيرَةِ. (الهندية ج 1 ص 5 الرشيدية)