Do pieces of meat and food that remain between teeth prevent ghusl?

Dear Brother / Sister,

The criteria and limits for washing the mouth and nose are to wash and rinse the mouth, and to wash the inside of the nose and to pull the water hard to enable it to reach the nasal cavity as it is stated in the issue of wudu.

The form described above is the one that is in accordance with the sunnah. However, if a junub person takes some water and drinks it without rinsing, he is regarded to have washed his mouth. Thus, the fard of ghusl is fulfilled if the water taken in wets all parts of the mouth. Then, it is enough to put a sip of water in the mouth when there is very little water or when the weather is very cold or when something extraordinary happens. It is more virtuous to do the ideal form that is in accordance with the sunnah.

The same issue is included in Fatawa al-Hindiyya, Badayi' and Bahrur-Raiq. Even if the small crumbs between the teeth prevent water from penetrating the bottom, fard is regarded to have fulfilled. However, what is better in terms of caution is to remove the crumbs and wash the mouth after that. This issue is especially mentioned in Fathul-Qadir and is stated to be better in terms of caution. Therefore, the mucus that has dried in the nostrils need to be cleaned with ample water. Otherwise, it is regarded to have prevented ghusl.

(Celal Yıldırım, Kaynaklarıyla İslam Fıkhı, Uysal Kitabevi: 1/50)

Questions on Islam