While 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 wellbeing.
There are various herbs that are recommended in the texts of Ayurveda to help take care of one’s teeth and oral hygiene.
Listed below are a few herbs that will give your teeth the extra care and attention they needs.
Neem: It is known for its medicinal and anti-bacterial properties. The bark is used as a cleansing agent for teeth and helps fight against bacterial infections. It also helps fights bad breath.
Clove: It can help deal with dental problems because of its antibacterial properties. The oil from the clove when applied to an infected tooth can also ease the pain of toothache.
Ajwain: Bishop’s Weed or Ajwain is the best herbal cure for toothaches. Ajwain 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.
Vaikranta Bhasma: Commonly known as Fluorspar, a combination of lime with fluorine, it is generally prescribed by practitioners for oral care.
Fluorspar is a natural source of fluorine which prevents tooth decay. Fluorine strengthens tooth enamel, fights plaque and has the ability to resist acid attack.
Tumburu 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 Pomegranate: 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
Meswak: Meswak also known as Pilu is 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 bleeding gums.
Triphala: This herb has been long used to boost head-to-toe wellness in traditional Indian medicine. It is composed of 3 powerful herbs - Amalaki (Amla), Terminalia Chebula and Terminalia Bellirica. It has astringent properties which control bleeding of gums and helps to cure mouth ulcers too.
Nirgundi: Also called as the ‘Five-leaved Chaste Tree’ in English, Nirgundi is used externally as an analgesic which makes it an excellent ingredient for your toothpaste to help relive toothaches.
Your teeth can give away a lot about you. And while brushing and flossing regularly plays an important role in overall care, these natural ingredients in your toothpaste can help you get healthy teeth and that million-dollar smile.