5 Simple Ways to Have a Sparkling Mouth

Ayurveda is a way of life that emphasizes good health, prevention and treatment of illnesses through lifestyle adjustments and herbal remedies. As a holistic practice, it views the mind and body as a whole. Treatments are believed to not only cure a person’s illness but alter their lifestyle to maintain and improve health using yoga, meditation, massage and dietary changes.

According to Ayurveda, all 5 of nature’s elements (earth, water, fire, air and space) combine in the body, resulting in 3 components or doshas- 

Vatta– a representation of air and water. It controls muscle and joint movement, breathing, heartbeat and emotions like anxiety, fear and pain.

Pitta– a representation of fire and water. It controls functions like digestion, metabolism, intelligence, skin colour and emotions like anger, hate and jealousy.

Kapha– a representation of earth and water. It governs the physical structure of the body, the immune system and emotions like calmness, love, forgiveness and greed.

If you wish to maintain optimal health including oral health, a balance of these doshas is necessary.

Ayurveda and the Mouth

Traditional ayurvedic medicine has been known to manage various dental conditions in ancient India. Ancient Ayurvedic texts speak of various chewing sticks- found to have medicinal and anti-cariogenic properties; oil pulling- said to be able to cure 30 systemic diseases; fruits like Amla, Bilberry and hawthorn berry- found to rebuild oral health, stabilize collagen and strengthen gum tissue. Modern dental health care practices have adopted ayurvedic practices based on extensive scientific research and validation.

In Ayurveda, the tongue is said to chart the health of the organs in the body. It is a good indication of dehydration, the strength of the digestive system if nutrients are being broken down and absorbed by the body, among many other health cues. 

Further, the colour of the gums can tell the health of other soft tissues in the body and the health of the teeth reflects the overall bone health of a person. Taking care of your teeth, gums and tongue will not only ensure a clean mouth but can also impact the health of various other body parts. Moreover, it is important to use only the best ayurvedic dental care products to efficiently maintain a sparkling mouth. 

Here are some simple tips that can start you on your way to a sparkling mouth.

Jivha Lekhna

Jivha Lekhna is the process of tongue scraping. The white coating on the tongue every morning is the accumulation of toxins. It is important to get rid of these toxins to ensure a well-functioning digestive system. Scraping the tongue with a tongue scraper every morning, before brushing your teeth will pull these toxins off the tongue and prepare the digestive system for the day. It is also an effective way to deal with bad breath.

Floss Regularly

Ridding your teeth and gums of the collecting plague between them can save you from cavities and other dental issues. Flossing along with brushing the teeth twice a day is crucial to maintaining good oral health.

Brush your teeth

Though generic, it is crucial to brush your teeth twice a day. It is advisable to use nature-based toothpaste. An easy DIY toothpaste can be made with ½ teaspoon baking soda, a few drops of lime juice and a few drops of water. Mix well and brush your teeth for two minutes. 

Another early ayurvedic practice is dant dhavani. Dant dhavani involves chewing herbal sticks (like neem, liquorice, black catechu or cutch tree), or brushing your teeth with them in the morning and after eating. It is believed to reduce the risk of various kinds of oral diseases and plague control.

Kavala Gandusha

Kalvala Gandusha or oil pulling is known to have many benefits ranging from strengthening teeth and gums to pulling toxins from deep in the mouth. Mix two tablespoons of oil in the mouth after tongue scraping and before brushing for around 20 minutes. Repeat 2-3 times a week for best results. If this seems a bit overbearing, it is okay to start with less oil and for a shorter period and work your way up. This practice is said to be extremely effective against gingivitis.

Hydrate

Making sure you drink at least 8 glasses of water won’t just do wonders for your skin and overall health, it aids saliva production in the mouth, which is imperative for proper digestion. It also keeps oral bacteria in check and reduces odours from the mouth. So don’t forget to hydrate.