in Ayurveda with Special Refrence to Kavala (Oil Pulling)

Dr. Meesam Abbas Zaidi Dr. Fahmida Jafar Rizvi Sr. Lecturer Jr. Resident Uttaranchal Dental & Medical Research Institute Dept. of Swasthavritta & Yoga Dehradun, Uttarakhand Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi (U.P.)

Introduction taken of oral cavity. pain and along with vinegar for yurveda is a holistic system of Improper oral hygiene not only affects strengthening of teeth. medicine which evolved in India oral cavity but there is interrelationship 6. of equal parts of dried Asome 3000-4000 years ago. It is between oral and general health. Many ginger,mustard seeds and triphala. native to Indian subcontinent, but now g e n e r a l d i s e a s e s a l s o h a v e o r a l 7. Powder of fruits of amla (Emblicao- practiced all over the world and globally manifestations that increase the risk of oral fficinalis), vibhitak (Terminaliachebula) accepted as one of the form of diseases, which in turn is a risk factor for a can be used for gum massage. complementary medicine. Even though number of systemic diseases. 8. In dental caries filling of cavity with dentistry is not a separate branch in Ayurveda At a given time more than 500 species of asafoetida fried in ghee. but it is included in its Shalakyatantra various microorganisms some beneficial, 9. Massage gums with powdered bark of {system of surgery}. Many diseases of the some harmful reside in our mouth. These Indian Madder with honey. oral cavity are described and their prevention bacterias easily escape our daily hygiene 10. Purified lac(shudhlaksha) can also be and cure are given in ancient texts which hold practices as they reside in pockets around used many times a day for gum massage. true even today also. The concept of teeth. These bacteria and their toxins easily 11. Common used drugs for oral diseases are Ayurveda believes in three doshas or spiritual propagate throughout the whole body. So if Khadiradivati, Triphalaguggulu, Jatyadi energy. These are Vaata, Pitta and Kapha. we can control the harmful micro organisms tail etc. Dental diseases involve an imbalance of and their toxins with in the mouth, good 12. Turmeric is well known drug that can be kaphadosha located in oral cavity. improvement in general health is sure to used in dental caries and pains. Maintenance of kapha in normalcy especially occur. 13. Eating fresh guava a good source of in oral cavity is the most important factor in Ayurveda provides many herbal remedies vitamin C. oral hygiene as to prevent oral cavity and dental hygiene practices for proper oral 14. Having calcium rich diet itself prevent disorders. care. many tooth problems. We present ourselves to world by 1. Chewing Sticks : Ayurveda recommends 15. Chewing clove after meals act as mouth speaking, a function of mouth, but it also has chewing of sticks, which should be freshner and prevent oral diseases too. many other functions to perform. Along with obtained fresh from a healthy tree. For proper oral care following points communication mouth is necessary for eating Preferably it should be kashaya must be remembered ,drinking, licking, chewing and taste. Teeth (astringent), katu(acrid), tikta (bitter) in 1. Avoid excessive sweets and sticky sugary are important for proper chewing of food taste. It must be crushed and chewed for items and rinse mouth immediately after which helps in proper digestion. They also some time. It removes foul smell, eating such items. enhances facial beauty. are for tastelessness, dirt of tongue, teeth and 2. Do not mix very hot and chilled items enjoying taste of delicious food. In Ayurveda mouth cavity. It also removes excess together, like eating ice-cream just after oral diseases are said to occur at seven sites kapha. It is similar to with hot coffee or tea. viz.lips, gums, teeth, tongue, palate and a but not the same, as it not 3. In case of pain in gums avoid hot, spicy, whole oral cavity. only cleanses but also provides medicinal sour and fried foods. Oral diseases are significant burden to all values of the twig used. According to a 4. After each meal fresh water gargle helps a countries of the world. About 75% of study by Sambi et al 1994 neem extract is lot in prevention of dental caries. Americans have gum diseases and they are top among ayurvedic toothpowders and 5. A child's complete preventive dental not aware of it1. Percentage of children aged commercial toothpastes in antiplaque programme should include fluoride, between 2-17 years with a dental visit in year activity. Other recommended twigs are brushing twice daily, wise food choices 2010 was 78.9%. karanja (pongamiapinnata), karavira and regular dental care. There are various data which clearly (Neriumindicum), arka (Calotro- Oil Pulling (Lavala or Gandush) show that: pisgigantea), arjuna (terminaliaarjuna), Oil pulling therapy is an ancient 1. Sex Not a Significant Factor. etc. medicinal technique used to improve oral 2. Race and Hispanic Origin is a Significant 2. Tongue Scraping : Daily tongue should health that involves swishing oil in the mouth. Factor. Black, non-Hispanic children and be scraped with a tongue cleaner which is In ancient texts it is mentioned as kavala, Hispanic children of Mexican origin had not sharp, but with curved edges. It is said kavalgraha or gandoosha. Basically when significantly higher percentages of to clean tongue properly to prevent liquid viz.oil, milk, decoction, ghee etc are untreated cavities than white, non- halitosis. only kept in oral cavity for some time it is Hispanic children. 3. One desirous of clarity, taste and good called as gandoosha and if the liquid is 3. Poverty Level a Significant Factor. smell of mouth should keep in mouth- swished all over mouth it is called kavala. It 4. If we consider only dental caries,it is the fruits of jati (Myristicafragrans), puga was popularised in 1990's as oil pulling or oil second most common disease in our (Areca catechu), kakkola (Piper cubeba), swishing. country after common cold. ela (Elattariacardamomam), flower stalk Kavala with til oil is beneficial for the According to WHO statistical of Syzygium aromaticum, leaves of strength of jaws, depth of voice, flabbiness of information system deaths due to dental tambula (Piper betel), extract of karpura face, excellent gustatory sensation and good diseases do occur. Only in year 2011, 5 deaths (cinnamomu-mcamphora. taste for food. One who does so regularly occurred in US and one each SouthKorea, 4. Herbal plants like cinamomum, til and never get dryness of throat, nor do his lips ElSalvador, Solvenia, Netherlands, Japan, clove oil should be used to prevent tooth ever get cracked, his teeth will never get Mexico and Australia. These percentage decay and toothache. carious, he will not have any tooth ache nor he clearly depicts that more proper care has to be 5. Garlic cloves can also be used to reduce will have teeth set on sour intake and can 3612 Heal Talk | May-June 2013 | Volume 05 | Issue 05 Zaidi, et al. : Oral Hygiene in Ayurveda with Special Refrence to Kavala (Oil Pulling) chew the hardest eatables does not stain teeth. It can be done using edible vegetable oils Conclusion There are more like sunflower, safflower, coconut oil, but Among many untouched and unspoiled authorised texts consider sesame oil to be part of ancient medicine this is the one, which best. when analysed scientifically will certainly Dental Journal Best time for kavala is early morning, stand test of time. Oil pulling not only empty stomach, in sitting position with chin improves oral health but also has beneficial than you think straight up. Take 1 tablespoon (10 ml) of oil in systemic effects. Even if the use of Ayurvedic mouth and swish it all around. It must be done drugs is restricted to vaidyas, the dietary rules back and forth and side to side upto all and other procedures has universal possible sites in mouth for about 15 20 mins. acceptance. Seeing the good results By this time thick oil will become thin, white allopathic practioners also suggest ayurvedic and milky consistency. Then it must be spitted regime, which is very good for patients and and followed by brushing and tongue practioners of both the stream. scraping. It must not be gargled and not to be References swallowed. If it is done for less than 20 mins it 1. www.cds.gov/nchs/stats/dental.htm. 2. [www.nation master .com] won't be sufficient and if swished for more 3. Caraka Samhita, English Translation and critical than 20 mins there can be reabsorbtion of exposition by R.K. Sharma and B. Das, toxins. It can be done above 5 years, during Chaukhambha Bharati Sanskrit, series office, menstruation and pregnancy. Varanasi, 2001 (5/71-72). 4. Sushruta Samhita, English Translation and Critical There is not enough scientific data about Notes by P.V. Sharma, Chaukhambha Orientalia, how actually oil pulling works but it does Varanasi, 1994. (24/79) have considerable effect against plaque, 5. Caraka Samhita, English Translation and critical exposition by R.K. Sharma and B. Das, gingivitis halitosis etc. As the oil in engine Chaukhambha Bharati Sanskrit, series office, picks up dirt and grime and is removed when I Varanasi, 2001 (C.Su. 5/73) oil is drained. Likewise oral cavity get rid of 6. Caraka Samhita, English Translation and critical bacterias and toxins when after oil swishing it exposition by R.K. Sharma and B. Das, Chaukhambha Bharati Sanskrit, series office, ... and anyone can is spitted out. It cleanses the mouth and Varanasi, 2001 (5/75) cannot actually draw the toxins from blood as 7. Caraka Samhita, English Translation and Critical Subscribe oral mucosa is not a semipermeable Notes by P.V. Sharma, Chaukhambha Orientalia, Varanasi, 1994.(5/76) membrane and hence toxins cannot pass 8. Hand book of domestic medicine and common through it. Sesame oil has sesamin, sesamolin ayurvedic remedies by CCRIMH.) and sesaminol, which have antioxidant 9. HathaYoga Pradipika, by Swami Muktibodhananda, Why wait...? property and potentiate vitamin E action. Yoga publication Trust, Munger, Bihar, 1st Ed. 1985. Call direct 10. Caraka Samhita, English Translation and Critical The procedures we routinely do as a part Notes by P.V. Sharma, Chaukhambha Orientalia, of daily oral hygiene cannot reach the Varanasi, 1994. ( 5/78-80). +91-1342-261444 bacterias buried in pockets. Here oil pulling is 11. The Essence of Yoga, by Dr. Mangalagowri V. Rao, www.healtalkht.com one step ahead which is likely to be effective Chaukhamba Orientalia, Varanasi, First Edition, 2011 for removing bacterias in gum pockets. First 12. (TD Anand,C.pothiraj, RM Gopinath et al effect of oil Best Dental Journal for you... it is done with oils which is having pulling in dental caries causing bacterias African antibacterial properties and some with anti journal of Med research Vol 2:3p 63-66 Mar 2008) Heal Talk inflammatory activities also. Next it is done 13. (J Indian socpedodprev dent 2008;26 :12-7) A Journal of Clinical Dentistry for 20 mins, sufficient for oil to work as compared to toothoastes and toothpowders. Also there is forceful swishing pulling of oil back and forth across the gums so that oil How to Whiten Your seeps into every nooks and crannies of the gums. In a study by Tritton CB and Armitage tooth brushing and oil pulling has reduced the Teeth with Banana Peel plaque scores 11-27% and 18-30% respectively and gingivitis has reduced by 8- Take a piece of the 23% and 52-60% respectively. According to the African journal of inside of the banana Microbiology Research, oil pulling is an effective defence against dental caries and is beneficial for bleeding gums, fastening of peel and gently rub loose tooth and whitening of teeth.It is also seen that oil pulling and chlohexidine both around on your teeth reduce S. mutans count significantly yet reduction was more in chlorhexidinegroup. for about 2 minutes. Yet sufficient scientific study has not been carried out on oil pulling but still it can be taken as preventive home therapy to maintain oral hygiene. It has many advantages over other hygiene practices. It is simple cheap easily available and can be done at home. It has no lingering after taste and also

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