Description
Many people find that their oral health improves dramatically when they adopt Ayurvedic oral hygiene practices, which also help reduce or eliminate dreaded dental problems like cavities, receding gums, tooth sensitivities and periodontal disease.
No one really likes a visit to the dentist, so the more we can do to maintain the integrity of our teeth and gums the better. Ayurveda understands robust oral health has far reaching benefits. There is no question that digestion begins in the mouth. Almost immediately upon ingesting food or drink, enzymes in the mouth begin to break down food. Simultaneously, the action of chewing manually breaks our foods down. Issues with the teeth or gums can quickly compromise our ability to chew properly and other oral imbalances can impact the more subtle chemical interactions critical to the first stages of digestion.
As a holistic tradition, Ayurveda takes a fundamentally different approach to dental health. We often think of the teeth as being lifeless, but they are in fact made of living tissues, just like our bones. According to Ayurveda the teeth are a by-product of the bone tissue, meaning that their health is directly related to the health of the bones. Just like other tissues they can become nutrient deficient and depleted and remarkably, they can also heal. Decay can be halted, and a strong outer tooth surface can be re-established.
So how can we do this one may ask?
Along with daily brushing and flossing a few extra strategies can be practiced. Many people like to brush their teeth and cleanse their mouths after breakfast, yet Ayurveda recommends cleansing and nourishing the mouth first thing upon waking. Sleep is a natural time for detoxification. Upon waking, our mouths show a great deal of evidence that the body was busy detoxing while we slept. There might be morning breath for instance. Thorough cleansing of the oral cavity upon waking clears dead and decaying matter and prevents it from entering the lower digestive tract.
Tongue Cleaning – clears any accumulations from the tongue, eliminating them from the mouth.
Oil pulling or swishing – oil shares a natural affinity with the lipid-based cell membranes on the exterior of a cell, including the many microorganisms that inhabit the mouth. When these microbes come in contact with oil, their cells naturally adhere to the oil, which helps detach them from the teeth and gums, supporting the removal of plaque and odour causing bacteria.
Our herbal infused Ayurvedic Tooth and gum oil is a deeply nourishing, vata pacifying blend for maximising the positive effects of oil swishing.
In the morning on an empty stomach, place about 1 teaspoon of Ayurvedic Tooth and gum oil in your mouth with a little warm water. Swish the oil from side to side, front to back and all around the teeth, gums and cheeks. Spit out when finished.
Gargling with Myrrh – Areas of the mouth missed during brushing can be targeted with a warm water and Myrrh gargle. Studies have also shown that gargling helps soothe the throat and promotes respiratory health. Best done after brushing the teeth.
Nutritional support for gum health – To our surprise the research is conclusive not only is CoQ10 scientifically linked to cellular energy and recommended by specialists for heart health, but incredibly it is also reported to significantly improve Periodontal disease. Please look up the research on Google Scholar (more academic than Google).
