Oral Hygiene

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.

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.

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

1. Oil Pulling

Oil Pulling help in slow down receding gums, it 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 (Curcuma longa) 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.

The good news is that Oral Hygiene is preventable and reversible, but can only be possible by using holistic approach, the one advocated in Ayurveda that addresses the issues from the very root.

Since ancient times, Ayurveda has defined diseases with their symptoms, causes and healing methods with nature.

If you are having any of the above mentioned symptoms, don’t assume it is Oral Hygiene yet without any proper diagnosis because there are other Mouth related diseases that comes with the same symptoms. Consult with a Doctor for accurate diagnosis to find out if Oral Hygiene is what you are having or any other related disease.

As a holistic health clinic, we take accurate diagnosis very seriously in order to ascertain the root cause of a particular illness. You will be consulted with our doctor to know the type of test or scan to run base on your symptoms to detect exactly the root cause of your issue to ascertain if Oral Hygiene is your issue or not to ensure appropriate treatment.

Accurate diagnosis is the key to the treatment of any disease.

We can really help you out of the issue!

Contact us for your accurate diagnosis or for any issues