Published online in http://iijam.co.in ISSN: 0976-5921 International Journal of Ayurvedic Medicine, 2014, 5(2), 148-153 Concept of Oral Hygiene in Ayurveda Review article Deepak Kumar Ahuja1*, Vandana Ahuja2 1. Assistant Professor, Shalakya Department, S.R.M. Govt. Ayurvedic College, Bareilly, (UP) 243001 2. Practioner, Bareilly Abstract Ayurveda is the ancient Indian system of health-care and longevity. It involves a holistic view of man, his health and illness. Even though dentistry was not a specialized branch of Ayurveda, it is included in its Shalakya Tantra. Problems such as deformities of the oral cavity, plaques and infections were managed in ancient India. Research has shown that all kinds of chewing sticks described in ancient Ayurveda texts have medicinal and anti- cariogenic properties. Kavala and Gandoosh kriyas are claimed to cure several systemic diseases. Scientific validations of the Ayurveda dental health practices could justify their incorporation into modern dental care. In this paper, an attempt has been made to review various herbal plants mentioned in Ayurveda that can be used as an adjunct for the maintenance of oral health. Keywords: Oral hygiene, Chewing sticks, Kavala, Gandoosha Introduction: under the different chapters of Ayurvedic Ayurveda the fountain head of literature. Acharya Charak described it Indian medicine was conceived as a under the topic “Swasthyavrata” which science and preached in the country some means personal hygiene in thousands of years ago, long before the “Mattrashitiyaadhyaye”. Acharya other countries could dream of Sushruta had told about oral hygiene in the systematizing the concept of remedies for “Anagatabhadapratished” chapter, while human ailments. Shalakya Tantra is one Acharya Vagbhatta described it in among 8 specialities of Ashtanga “Dincharya” chapter. All the authors have Ayurveda, which deals with the diseases given emphasis on personal hygiene which occurring above the clavicle. It includes should be followed by each individual Eye, Ear, Nose, Throat and Orodental strictly. Dhantapavan(Dhattuna), diseases and their management along with Jhihwanirlhekhana, Kavala and their structural and functional details. Gandoosha are the procedures told by Oral hygiene is not described as a Ayurveda for maintenance of oral hygiene. separate chapter in Ayurveda but it comes These procedures will be discussed one by one in forthcoming pages- *Corresponding Author: Deepak Kumar Ahuja Dhantpavan- Dhantpavan means Assistant Professor, Dhattuna or Chewing sticks. It is entirely Department of Shalakya Tantra different from the western-pioneered S.R.M. Govt. Ayurvedic College activity of ‘brushing the teeth’, specifically Bareilly, (UP) 243001. because these sticks are chewed. The E-mail: [email protected] stems should be healthy, soft, without Ph.No: +91-9336261881 leaves and knots. It is recommended that 148 Published online in http://ijam.co.in ISSN: 0976-5921 Deepak Kumar Ahuja et.al., Concept of Oral Hygiene in Ayurveda chewing sticks be obtained from fresh mouth(6). Chewing on these stems is stems of specific plants. The method of use believed to cause attrition and levelling of is to crush one end, chew it, and eat it biting surfaces, facilitate salivary secretion slowly. and possibly, help in plaque control while Ayurveda had given indication for some stems have an anti-bacterial action using it twice a day. In morning after (7). Present day research has shown that all leaving the bad and in evening, before the chewing sticks described in ancient going to sleep and after taking food. Avurveda have medicinal and anti- According to Acharya Sushruta, cariogenic properties(8). Dantapavan should be fresh and straight. Its length should be 12 angul (9 inches), Jhihwanirlhekhana while thickness should be equal to It is used for cleaning tongue with kanshtika anguli (little finger) (1). These the help of tongue scraper. It should be herb sticks should be either ‘kashaya’ made up of either metal or branches of the (astringent), ‘katu (acid), or ‘tikta’ (bitter) tree. Its length should be twelve fingers. Its in rasa (2). Acharya Sushruta also includes margin should be blunt so that it will not madhura rasa(3). According to the damage the tongue and should be curved individual’s prakarti (constitution) and so can be use easily(9). dominant dosha, it is stated that people Tongue scrapping stimulates the with the vatadosha dominance may reflex points of the tongue. Removes bad develop atrophic and receding gums, and odour (halitosis). Improves the sense of are recommended to use chewing sticks taste, stimulate the secretion of digestive with sweet, bitter or astringent tastes, such enzymes. Clinical evidence also shows that as Yasthimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra use of tongue scrapers on a regular basis, Linn.) and the cutch tree (Acacia Catechu has a significant improvement on Linn.) respectively(4). Pittadosha eliminating anaerobic bacteria and dominant individuals are recommended to decreases bad odour(10). use chewing sticks with a bitter taste such as the twigs from the neem tree Kavala and Gandoosha (Azadirachta indica Linn.) and the arjuna Gandusha and Kavala graha are tree (Terminalia arjuna Linn.). Those with two primary oral cleansing techniques; the kaphadosha dominant are likely to specialized therapy to treat as well as to have pale and hypertrophic gums and are prevent oral diseases. The difference instructed to use chewing sticks with between the two is only in the dosage and pungent taste, like Kantaki karanja procedure of using the drug. In gandoosha, (Caesalipinia bonduc Linn.) and the Arka a medicated fluid is held mouthful for a plant (Calotropis procera Linn.). specific period until there is lacrimation Acharya Sushruta had mentioned and nasal discharge, and then the patient Tooth powder for cleaning the teeth. He spits it out. In kavala graha, the mouth is told to use of Dhattuna dipped in Madhu, only three-fourths filled with the Trikathu, Trivargha, oil and medicated fluid; the fluid is swished in the saindhavlavana(5). Researches has proved mouth for a specific time and then spat that salt is good for tooth and oral hygiene. out(11). Now a days tooth paste are coming along The benefits of regular gandoosha with salt. are swarabalam (strength to voice), The benefit of Dhantpavan is to get hanubalam (strength to jaws), strength to rid from bad odour of mouth along with face, ruchyam (better taste perception), increase interest towards food due to drudadantha (strong and healthy teeth), removal of mala from tooth, tongue and and resistance against doshaja or 149 Published online in http://iijam.co.in ISSN: 0976-5921 International Journal of Ayurvedic Medicine, 2014, 5(2), 148-153 aaganthuja mukharogas(12). These oral Launga oil is commonly used to relive cleansing techniques can also benefit bad in toothache. Eugenol, which is the breath, decay bleeding gums, dryness of active component(21), is widely used throat, cracked lips and for strengthening in root canal therapy, dental abscess, teeth, gums and the jaw(13,14). temporary fillings and several gum Ayurveda advises kawala to purify diseases(22). the entire system; as it holds that each Grita kumari has property of dentin section of the tongue is connected to formation(23). different organ such as to the kidneys, Nimbu/Lemon solution is the natural lungs, liver, heart, small intestines, source of citric acid with pH 1.68. stomach, colon, and spine, similarly to Because of its antibacterial efficacy, a reflexology(15). freshly prepared lemon solution is Brushing is contra indicated in the recommended as a root canal cases of mouth ulcer, fever, indigestion, medicament(24). those who have tendency to vomit, asthma, Amra leaf contains ascorbic and cough, thirst(16).Oil pulling can be used to phenolic acid. Mango leaves posses clean the oral cavity in all these cases. antibacterial property against anaerobic The exact mechanism of the action micro flora and can be used as an of oil pulling therapy is not clear. It was effective adjuvant in maintaining oral claimed that the swishing activates the hygiene(25). enzymes and draws the toxins out of the Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antiviral, blood. New researches have proof that the analgesic, immunostimulator and oral mucosa does not act as a semi- antioxidant property of Neem is well permeable membrane to allow toxins to established(26). It has both mechanical pass through. The medicated oil and fluid as well as chemotherapeutic antiplaque used in Kavala and Gandoosha probably agents(27). Neem leaves mouth rinse is protect the oral cavity from infection and very effective in the treatment of inflammation by its antioxidant property periodontitis(28). (17,18). These mechanisms could be Triphala has shown anticaries(29) and probable mode of action for the reduction antiplaque property. It is also used for of plaque scores and colony count of the strengthening the gums(30) and root microorganisms in the oral cavity. The canal irrigant(31). viscosity of used medicated oil probably Tulsi extract as 4% mouth rinse inhibits bacterial adhesion and plaque co- effectively reduces salivary aggregation. streptococcal mutants counts(32). Turmeric extract can be used in the Plants with their oral health related treatment of potentially malignant indications lesions in oral cavity(33). It effectively The literature showed that there are inhibits metastasis of melanoma cells numerous Ayurvedic drugs, which can be and may be used in deactivating used in prevention as