How To Maintain Your Oral Hygiene The Ayurveda Way

Abstract

Ayurveda is a holistic system of medicine that promotes definite measures to follow a healthy, happy, and peaceful maintaining psychological and physical health. Ayurvedic Healthcare includes certain healthcare regimens for daily routine, night regimens, seasonal regimens, and many more. The person who follows this regimen will always be healthy and free from diseases. If we don’t follow this regimen then the person might face certain problems that may turn into diseases if the issues are dissolved. In this article, we will be reading about the maintenance of oral healthcare by following the Ayurvedic regimens.

Introduction

In Ayurveda, our body is directly linked to the three doshas of our body (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha). The mouth is the beginning of the digestive system and is also linked to digestive fire, Agni. A healthy Agni ensures our proper digestion, and absorption of the food. In Ayurveda, there is a certain regimen for oral healthcare like brushing the teeth (Danta Dhavana) and cleaning the tongue (Jihva Nirlekhana).

Brushing The Teeth (Danta Dhavana)

Brushing your teeth and gums with a brush and other twigs of various plants should be done after clearing the bowel and second, after having dinner at night which is considered best according to Ayurveda. Here are some of the twigs used in daily life Neem (Azdirachta indica), Babool (Acacia arabica), Khadir (Acacia catechu), and Pilu (Salvadora persica). After brushing, gums and teeth should be massaged with index and thumb fingers. Then it should be followed by tongue scrapping.

Tongue Scraping (Jihva Nirlekhana)

In Ayurveda, tongue scraping should be done with a suitable instrument made up of metal like silver, copper, and brass or else with a brush or neem twigs.

Benefits of Tongue Scraper

• It helps in maintaining the oral hygiene.
• It helps in removing the undigested food particles from the tongue.
• It helps to enhance the taste buds.
• It helps to promote the overall health and digestive system.

What could be the Causes of Poor Oral Hygiene?

Poor oral health can result from a variety of causes, often stemming from habits, lifestyle, and underlying health issues. There are certain causes leading to poor oral health:

1. Improper Brushing Technique: Brushing too aggressively or not brushing long enough can harm gums and teeth, leading to sensitivity or gum recession.
2. Dietary Habits: Sugary and acidic food intake can increase the chances of bad oral health.
3. Smoking: Chronic smoking and tobacco chewing can also lead to poor oral health.
4. Certain Medications: Medications like antihistamines, decongestants, antidepressants, and certain blood pressure medications can have this effect.
5. Health Conditions: Health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, pregnancy, and other conditions including HIV| AIDS can also affect oral health.

Symptoms Of Poor Oral Hygiene

Here are some symptoms of not maintaining oral healthcare:

1. Dental Cavities: It is associated with the Kapha dosha imbalance, which produces an excess of mucous or plaque on the teeth.
2. Gum Bleeding or Inflammation: It is associated with the Pitta doshas imbalance due to excessive production of heat or acidity.
3. Tooth Sensitivity and Pain: It is associated with the Vata imbalance when there is a disturbance in the nervous system and circulation.
4. Plaque Buildup: Plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, can harden into tartar if not regularly removed, which can lead to gum disease and other oral health problems.
5. Loose Teeth: Poor oral hygiene can result in gum disease, which weakens the structures that support your teeth, leading to looseness.

Home Remedies for Maintaining the Oral Hygiene

Here are some home remedies to prevent oral health-related diseases:

1. Oil Pulling

Oil Pulling is an ancient practice, which involves swishing coconut oil in your mouth to improve your dental health. It is rooted in Ayurvedic medicine and originated in India 2000 years ago. We can do it by using coconut oil, swishing it for 20 minutes, and spitting it out when it is thick and milky. Doing it can remove harmful bacteria and whiten your teeth.

2. Saltwater Rinse

Ayurveda advocates the use of naturally occurring salts like sea salt and rock salt. It can be done at home due to its simplicity. We have to gargle for about 15-20 seconds and rinse properly around teeth, gums, and tongue area. It has various benefits like reducing inflammation, maintaining pH, bad breath, and pain, and clearing nasal congestion. On the other hand, it has disadvantages: overuse can cause gum irritation, gum swelling, dehydration, and tooth erosion.

3. Oral Rinse & Gargling (Gandusha And Kavala)

There are oral cleansing techniques in which some medicated fluids are used to drain nasal discharge before spitting it out. The Kavala takes the fluid in the mouth and then swishes it in the mouth for a few minutes which helps to reduce the bacteria, bad breath, bleeding gums, and tooth decay.

4. Neem

Neem is also called Nimbaka or Nimba. Which has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties that help to fight germs and gum disease. In India using neem twigs has been classically used from the historic times.

5. Babool

Babool is also called Babhula or Babhul. It has anti-microbial properties that prevent gum bleeding and give strength to our teeth. It also helps to fight with gum diseases.

6. Turmeric

Turmeric is also known as Curcumin. Turmeric has various properties like anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and anti-bacterial properties. Turmeric helps to relieve the pain in teeth, gums, tooth decay, and any other oral infections. It can be used by making a paste, or mouthwash. Keep the paste for about 5 minutes so that it sits on the teeth and then wash it off.

7. Clove Oil

The clove is known as Syzgium Aromaticum. In Ayurveda, an ancient system of medicine, cloves have warming properties and the ability to balance the body energy called Doshas. Clove helps Pacify KAPHA and VATA and increase PITTA. It has various benefits including anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antimicrobial, and analgesic. If we talk about dental-related problems we use to relieve pain and bleeding gums as well by massaging clove oil for 15-20 minutes.

8. Peppermint Oil

According to Ayurveda, Peppermint leaf tends to have cooling power, which helps reduce the KAPPA and PITTA doshas. While harmonizing VATTA doshas. Peppermint oil helps in releasing toxins and has a numbing effect. This oil can be used in mouthwash, toothpaste, and tea. Peppermint oil has various benefits in dental care including antimicrobial, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, numbing, and freshening breath.

9. Eucalyptus Oil

In Ayurveda, Eucalyptus is known for its VATA pacifying properties as it has heating energy. If we talk about dental-related issues it prevents tooth cavities and gum diseases. Its oil can be used to kill staphylococcus bacteria.

Herbal Remedies For Poor Oral Hygiene By Planet Ayurveda

Planet Ayurveda is a company that has GMP CERTIFIED, HACCP CERTIFIED, HALAL CERTIFIED, ISO CERTIFIED, and many more. They make products not only for humans but for pets as well under the supervision of MD Practitioners. They make products that are 100% natural and have no side effects. These products do not contain any kind of synthetic materials or preservatives. These products help in managing various health problems.

1. Gum Care Powder
2. Coral Calcium Complex
3. Arjun Saar
4. Triphala Capsules
5. Acido Plan Syrup
6. Manjishtha Capsule

Products Description

1. Gum Care Powder

This powder contains natural herbs like Sonth (Zingiber officinale), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Mustak (Cyprus rotundus), Poog (Areca catechu), and many other herbs. Helps maintain our gums, and teeth healthy. Gum powder has various benefits like plaque build-up, fighting bacteria, soothing gum inflammation, and freshens breath.

Method of Application: This powder is gently massaged on teeth and gums with 3-6 grams.

2. Coral Calcium Complex

These are capsules made from using natural herbs like Coral (Parval Pisthi), Agate (Akik Pishti), Ayurvedic Herbs (Jahar Mohra Pishti, Kamdudha Ras), Pearl (Mukta Pishti), Giloy Satva (Guduchi). It helps maintain the calcium level in the body and mouth as well. Coral complex capsules show a significant remineralizing effect on carious enamel. These capsules will provide strength to the outer covering of the teeth (enamel). Calcium in our saliva helps repair the places where acids are made.

Dosage: Take one capsule twice daily after a meal with plain water.

3. Arjun Saar

Arjun Saar is made up of the natural herb Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna) which controls bleeding and Amla (Emblica officinalis) which is rich in antioxidants and helps in collagen synthesis. It helps in maintaining three body energies (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha). Oral mucosa has a predominance of kapha which leads to dental problems. Arjun Saar helps to reduce bad breath, gum, and teeth-related problems like gum bleeding, tooth cavities, pain in gums, and toothache.

Dosage: Massage your teeth and gums with 3-6 gms gently. Rinse it after 2-3 minutes with lukewarm water.

4. Triphala Capsules

These Capsules contain Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica), and Amalaki (Emblica officinalis). Triphala helps to maintain our three body doshas (Kapha, Vata, Pitta) and helps to maintain our digestive system. These are gelatin-free capsule shells.

Dosage: Take 1-2 Capsules twice a day with plain water after meals.

5. Acido Plan Syrup

This syrup contains herbs like Patola (Trichosanthes dioica), Kokum (Garcinia indica), Saunf (Foeniculum vugare), Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Ghrit Kumari (Aloe barbadenis) and so on. It is a 100% natural product made under the supervision of MD Ayurvedic Experts. The syrup does not contain any chemicals, additives, starch, or binders.

Dosage: Take 1-2 tablespoons twice a day as advised by the Ayurvedic practitioners.

6. Manjishtha Capsule

These capsules are made by Planet Ayurveda and are made up of the bark of Manjistha (Rubica cordifolia). It is categorized as svarakrut and varnakrut and helps in improving the skin texture. It has a bitter, astringent, and sweet taste. Helps in balancing the Kapha and Pitta doshas but predominantly works on Pitta doshas. This product is a 100% natural product without any preservatives, starch, additives, fillers, and binders

Dosage: Take 1-2 capsules daily twice a day with plain water, after meals.

Conclusion

In this article, we read about how important to keep our oral healthcare by following Ayurvedic Regimens like brushing the teeth (Danta Dhavana) and cleaning the tongue (Jihva Nirlekhana) or home remedies like oil pulling, clove oil, and turmeric, and so on to keep our oral health in a healthy state. There are different causes and symptoms for the same. Clinically it can be diagnosed by visual examination. At Planet Ayurveda, it can be managed by using herbal remedies like Gum Care Powder, Acido Plan Syrup, Arjun Saar, and Triphala capsules.