Did you know that you can integrate Ayurvedic principles into your dental care routine? Ayurveda, an ancient Indian healing tradition with a history spanning over 5000 years, is now recognized worldwide as a form of complementary medicine. Emphasizing the harmony between the mind, body, and spirit, Ayurveda offers insights into managing oral issues such as oral deformities, plaque buildup, and infections.
So, what Ayurvedic principles can enhance our oral care routines? Ayurvedic oral care revolves around thorough mouth cleaning using natural and herbal products. Practices like oil pulling, the use of twigs or chewing sticks, and tongue scraping are commonly recommended. Well-known plants such as turmeric, clove, and licorice root, along with lesser-known ones like amla and hawthorn berry, are used to promote oral health, combat cavities and plaque, and exhibit antibacterial properties within Ayurvedic traditions.
Chewing Sticks
In Ayurveda, incorporating chewing sticks into your morning routine and after meals is recommended to prevent diseases. These sticks should be sourced from fresh, healthy stems of certain plants like licorice, neem, black catechu, fever nut, or milkweed. Although using a stem from a plant might seem puzzling, the process is straightforward. Simply crush one end of the stick, chew it slowly, and swallow. Neem sticks, in particular, are favored for their antimicrobial properties, releasing antibacterial agents when chewed that mix with saliva, combating harmful microbes in the mouth. This helps prevent bacterial buildup on teeth, strengthens gums, and aids in controlling plaque.
Oil Pulling
Oil pulling, a traditional practice, involves swishing oil in the mouth to reap oral and systemic health benefits. It's effective in eliminating harmful bacteria, combating plaque-induced gingivitis, and promoting overall oral hygiene. You can use oils like sunflower, coconut, or sesame for this practice. Simply take a spoonful of oil and swish it in your mouth for 10–20 minutes, ensuring a thorough coating of your teeth. Then, spit out the oil, rinse your mouth gently with warm water, and follow up with brushing your teeth.
Tongue Scraping for Oral Hygiene
Even with regular brushing and flossing, bacteria can accumulate on the tongue, leading to bad breath, tooth decay, and gum infections. Tongue scraping has been proven effective in reducing these issues. Studies show that cleaning the tongue reduces bad breath significantly more than just brushing teeth alone. To try this at home, use a tongue cleaner to gently scrape your tongue from back to front, then rinse your mouth and the cleaner thoroughly. Incorporating this into your daily routine, either in the morning or evening after brushing, can significantly improve oral hygiene.
Turmeric
Studies have shown that turmeric extract, when used in mouthwash, can significantly reduce plaque, gingivitis, and bacterial growth. Its active ingredient, curcumin, possesses antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, effectively preventing plaque buildup and gingivitis while alleviating dental discomfort.
Clove for Oral Health
Clove oil has long been applied directly to the gums to ease toothache. Research suggests that Eugenol, the main active component in clove, gives this herb its analgesic and anesthetic properties and is also effective at fighting several known harmful oral bacteria, including those that promote stomach ulcers. Clove is excellent for relieving pain associated with toothache and inflammation while also maintaining overall oral hygiene.
Triphala
Triphala, a well-rounded herbal formula, comprises three Indian fruits: Haritaki (Indian Walnut), Amalaki (Indian gooseberry), and Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica). Together, these herbs offer various benefits including improved digestion, detoxification of body tissues, regulated excretion, strengthened colon, relief from constipation, and a boost in immune function due to their Vitamin C content. To fully leverage Triphala's benefits, classical Ayurveda suggests consuming it in the form of churna (powder). Some benefits of Triphala include:
- Reducing plaque.
- Protecting gums from infections like gingivitis.
- Eliminating unhealthy bacteria such as lactobacillus and streptococcus mutans, both known to cause tooth decay.
- Healing mouth sores and canker sores.
- Enhancing the sense of taste.
- Cleansing and nourishing the entire oral cavity.
- Assisting in the body’s detoxification process.
To use Triphala as a rinse, mix ½ tsp of Triphala powder with ½ cup of fresh, warm, or room temperature water in a small cup. Let the mixture infuse for at least one minute, then rinse your mouth as you would with mouthwash, ensuring not to swallow it. Spit out the rinse and finish by rinsing your mouth with warm or room temperature water.
Herbal Toothpaste
For those not inclined towards using chewing sticks for oral hygiene, there are numerous herbal toothpastes and gum powders available. Using gum powders as tooth cleaners is simple: replace your regular toothpaste with the powder. Take a small amount on your hand, wet your toothbrush, dip it into the powder, gently massage it onto your teeth and gums, then rinse off with water.
Why Try Ayurvedic Oral Care?
While Ayurvedic principles may seem unconventional, this ancient practice has been substantiated through scientific research. You can tailor your oral care routine according to your needs by incorporating these Ayurvedic principles. If you have doubts or reservations about any of these methods, consult your dentist or doctor. Additionally, consider any allergies you may have to the plants and products mentioned earlier.