JOIN USWhile taking good care of your teeth and gums can help you get that great smile, good oral hygiene can also go a long way in keeping you healthy overall.
Since time immemorial, the concept of Ayurveda has been popular for its safe and efficacious remedies in taking care of one’s teeth and boosting one’s overall well-being. There are various herbs that are recommended in the texts of Ayurveda to help take care of one’s teeth and oral hygiene. Such as these:
nNeem: It is known for its medicinal and anti-bacterial properties. The bark is used as a cleansing agent and helps fight against bacterial infections. It also helps fights bad breath
nClove: It can help deal with dental problems because of its anti-bacterial properties. The oil from the clove,when applied to an infected tooth, can also ease toothache.
nAjwain: Bishop’s Weed or ajwain is the best herbal cure for toothaches. It has many herbal benefits and helps in maintaining fresh breath. Credited with antiseptic properties, the herb contains thymol which is an ideal ingredient for your toothpaste
nVaikranta Bhasma: Commonly known as fluorspar, a combination of lime with fluorine, it is generally prescribed by practitioners of oral care. Flouride prevents dental cavities and tooth decay. Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel, fights plaque and has the ability to resist acid attack.
nTumburu or toothache tree: If you have weak gums, you cannot have strong teeth. Tumburu, found in the valley of the sub-tropical Himalayas, helps heal bleeding gums. This lemony scented tree has been used in home remedies around the world to relieve toothaches.
The bark of this tree is used in herbal toothpaste preparations
nPomegranate: This fruit has been extensively used as a source of traditional remedies for thousands of years. Extracts of this fruit fight dental plaque that leads to gum disease
nMeswak: Meswak, also known as pilu, has been used for centuries as a natural toothbrush. Minerals in this root include potassium, sodium, chloride and calcium oxides and these ingredients strengthen the tooth enamel. The bark has good anti-bacterial property which inhibits the growth of bacteria and the formation of plaque and heals cracked and bleeding
nTriphala: This has been long used to boost head-to-toe wellness in traditional Indian medicine. It is composed of three powerful herbs — amla, Terminalia Chebula and Terminalia Bellirica. It has astringent properties which control bleeding of gums and helps to cure mouth ulcers too
nNirgundi: Also called the ‘Five-leaved Chaste Tree’ in English, nirgundi is used externally as an analgesic, which makes it an excellent ingredient to help relieve toothaches.
These natural ingredients can help you get healthy teeth and that million-dollar smile.
(The contributor is a senior research scientist, R&D, The Himalaya Drug Company.)