Oral illness is still a serious public health issue across the world. Beyond the functions of the oral complex, oral health is a vital element of overall health and is connected to quality of life. Western medical standards have only had little effectiveness in the prevention and treatment of numerous mouth illnesses. As a result, natural phytochemicals derived from plants used in traditional medicine are regarded as a viable alternative to synthetic compounds. After hundreds to thousands of years of use, medicinal herbs and Ayurvedic medical equipment have been demonstrated to be safe and beneficial. Plant investigation in traditional medicine may lead to the creation of novel oral health preventative or treatment measures [1].
Ayurvedic methods for Dental health:
Dant Dhavani (brushing teeth):
Ayurveda recommended chewing sticks in the morning as well as after each meal to prevent illness. Ayurveda emphasizes the use of an herbal brush, about nine inches long and as thick as a little finger. These herb sticks should be "kashaya" (astringent), "katu" (chat) or "tikta" (bitter) to taste.
Chewing these bars is reported to aid in attrition and leveling the biting surface, promoting salivation, and may aid in plaque management, while certain stems have an antibacterial effect.
Method:
Break one end of the herbal stem, chew, and eat gradually.
Herb stems that are widely used as herbal chewing sticks:
Neem (margosa or Azadirachta indica) is a .
Fresh licorice stem (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
Black catechu or sperm whale (Acacia Catechu Linn.)
Arjuna plant (Termmalia arjuna)
Fever walnut (Caesalipinia bonduc) can also be used to brush teeth.
Jivha Lekhana (tongue scrapping)
Use a stainless steel, copper, silver, or gold tongue scraper [You can also use a twig or a spoon]. Don't use your toothbrush, though, as this will only move the dirt around, pushing it deeper into the tongue and integrating it into your toothbrush.
Gently scrape from the back or base of the tongue forward, until you have shaved the entire surface of the tongue 9 times (or 7-14 times is fine).
After scratching, rinse your mouth with warm water or room temperature water. Occasionally, you can gargle with salt water with a bit of turmeric to keep your gums, mouth, and throat healthy.
Also, your daily routine should include brushing with a soft (not hard) toothbrush. The use of toothpaste and powders containing neem or tea tree oil is good. In addition, daily flossing is a must. [5]
Why do we need to clean the tongue?
To remove accumulated “gunk
To improve your breath and prevent infections.
To increase your sense of taste.
To decrease plaque and oral debris.
Shaving the tongue has the following benefits:
Stimulates the reflexes of the tongue
Eliminates odors (halitosis)
Improves taste
Stimulates the secretion of digestive enzymes
Kill millions of bacteria growth (about 500 varieties)
Gandusha (gargle) or oil gargle:
Oil pulling is an ancient ayurvedic procedure including a drizzle of oil in the mouth for oral and systemic health benefits. That is mentioned in the Ayurvedic text Charaka Samhita where he is called Kavala or Gandusha and claims to heal about 30 systemic diseases from headaches and migraines to diabetes and asthma.
Oil extraction has been widely used as a traditional Indian folk remedy for many years to prevent tooth decay, bad breath, bleeding gums, dry throat, cracked lips and strengthen teeth and gums. Oil-pulling therapy can be performed using oils such as sunflower or sesame oil. Oil pulling is technically very potent against gingivitis caused by plaque both in clinical and microbiological evaluation.
How to pull oil in 4 easy steps?
Oil pulling is easy to do and requires only a few simple steps.
Here's how you can try oil pulling:
Measure out one tablespoon (15 ml) of oil, such as coconut oil, sesame oil, or olive oil.
Swirl it in your mouth for 15-20 minutes, being careful not to swallow anything.
Spit the oil in the trash when you`re done. Avoid spitting it down the sink or toilet, as this can cause oil to build up, leading to a blockage. Rinse your mouth thoroughly with water before eating or drinking anything.
Repeat these steps two to three times a week or up to three times a day. You can also progress further, starting with gargling for just 5 minutes and gradually increasing the time until you can do the full 15-20 minutes.
For best results, most recommend doing this in the morning on an empty stomach, although you can adjust based on personal preference.[2,6]
Oil pulling has the following benefits:
Draws out ama (toxins/impurities).
Strengthens the gums.
Eradicates plaque.
Rebuilds enamel.
Whitens the teeth.
Eliminates harmful bacteria.
Reduces inflammation.
Freshens the breath.
Restores bodhaka kapha.
Reduces symptoms associated with TMJ. [4]
Doshas and Oral health care:
For vata:
Vata people often have dry, sensitive gums and teeth, which can lead to problems like tooth decay and gum disease.
To maintain Vata`s oral health, it's important to consume warm, nutritious foods like cooked vegetables, healthy fats, and protein.
Herbs like amalaki, licorice, triphala, and neem can also be helpful in reducing inflammation and promoting overall health.
Additionally, regularly using nutritious toothpaste, tongue scraping, and oil gargling can help maintain healthy teeth and gums.
For Pitta:
Pitta tends to have sensitive gums and teeth, which can lead to problems like gingivitis and tooth sensitivity.
Herbs like licorice, neem, and fennel can also be helpful in reducing heat and promoting overall health.
Additionally, regularly using mild, refreshing toothpaste, tongue scraping, and oil gargling can help maintain healthy teeth and gums.
For Kapha:
Kapha people tend to have heavy, greasy gums and teeth, which can lead to problems like plaque buildup and gum disease.
To maintain Kapha's oral health, it's important to eat light, dry, warm foods and avoid heavy, sugary, or cold foods.
Additionally, regularly using mild, non-greasy toothpaste, tongue scraping, and oil gargling can help maintain healthy teeth and gums.
Additionally, regular use of Ayurvedic herbs and oral care products can also be beneficial in reducing inflammation and promoting overall health.
It's important to brush and floss regularly and maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle to promote optimal oral health. [3]
Use of Triphala Churna in oral health care:
What is Triphala?
Triphala is the most widely used traditional Ayurvedic formula in the world. It is a balanced herbal formula consisting of three Indian fruits, haritaki, amalaki and bibhitaki. Together these herbs balance the three doshas (vata, pitta, and kapha), improve digestion, draw ama from body tissues, regulate excretion/elimination, strengthen the colon, relieve constipation, and provide a healthy dose of vitamin C to boost immune function. To benefit from the benefits of triphala, classical Ayurveda recommends eating triphala churna. [7]
What is Churna?
Churna is made from powdered herbs mixed with warm or room-temperature water. It is best to leave this mixture on for 8-12 hours before using it. Despite this fact, one can simply mix the herbs and water together, let the mixture stand for at least a minute and then it is ready to drink. Churna is a great way to connect with the flavors of herbs and build a relationship with the plant and its spirit. In addition, this method of eating herbs helps to connect us with the earth element. [7]
Benefits of gargling with Triphala Churna:
While there are huge benefits to eating Triphala, there are also huge benefits to simply rinsing or shaking with Triphala churna:
Reduce plaque.
Protects gums from infections like gingivitis.
Kills unhealthy bacteria like lactobacilli and mutans streptococci, both of which are known to cause tooth decay.
Heals mouth sores and sores.
Improves sense of taste. Cleans and nourishes the entire oral cavity.
Supports the body's detoxification process/elimination of amla.
How to prepare Triphala Churna?
To rinse your mouth with Triphala, you'll essentially have to prepare Triphala churna.
Take a small cup of ½ teaspoon of Triphala powder
Mix it in ½ cup of cool, warm, or room-temperature water.
Leave this mixture on for at least 1 minute.
After your churna is infused, gargle the Triphala churna/mouthwash in your mouth like you would any mouthwash. Remove the mouthwash then finish by rinsing with warm water or room temperature water. [7]
Home Made Ayurvedic Oral Care Products:
Homemade toothpaste:
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons neem powder
1 tablespoon turmeric powder
1 tablespoon baking soda (optional)
A few drops of clove oil or peppermint oil (for flavor)
Water or sesame oil (for consistency)
Steps to prepare:
In a small bowl, combine the neem powder and turmeric powder. If you're using baking soda, add it to the mixture as well.
Mix the dry ingredients thoroughly to ensure even distribution.
Add a few drops of clove oil or peppermint oil for flavor. These oils also have antimicrobial properties that contribute to oral health.
Gradually add water or sesame oil to the mixture while stirring. Add the liquid in small increments until you achieve a paste-like consistency. The amount of liquid needed will vary based on your preferences.
Once you've reached the desired consistency, your Ayurvedic toothpaste is ready to use.
Way to use:
Scoop a small amount of the homemade toothpaste onto your toothbrush.
Brush your teeth with regular toothpaste, focusing on all surfaces of your teeth and gums.
Spit out the toothpaste after brushing. Avoid swallowing it.
Some people might find the taste of neem and turmeric strong. You can adjust the amounts of these ingredients and experiment with adding a bit more peppermint or clove oil for a more pleasant flavor.
Ayurvedic Tooth Powder Recipe:
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons neem powder
1 tablespoon licorice root powder
1 tablespoon turmeric powder
1 tablespoon cinnamon powder
1 teaspoon clove powder
Mix the ingredients and use it like normal Toothpowder
Note: These homemade products do not contain any preservatives, so it's best to make them in small batches and use them within a reasonable time frame.
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