Ayurvedic Oral Hygiene

Healthy teeth and gums are essential for a bright smile and fresh breath. Oral hygiene is a sign of vitality, beauty and a mirror to the soul. This is precisely why oral hygiene is of particular importance in Ayurveda. Here are some tips that can help you with your daily dental care routine.

Experts recommend brushing teeth in the morning and evening. Rinsing the mouth out with water after eating is important, especially after consuming acidic food or drinks such as fruit or fruit juice. In this case, it is best to wait 15-30 minutes before brushing the teeth. Using an herbal toothpaste that cares for the teeth as well as gums is recommended.

The next step after brushing is cleaning the tongue to get rid of "ama", the coating that is deposited on the tongue overnight. These deposits can also lead to bad breath. A tongue cleaner made of stainless steel is particularly suitable for this purpose and can do the job in just a few seconds every morning.

• To clean, hold the ends of the tongue cleaner with both hands and hold it horizontally.
• Then place the bow flat on the base of the tongue and gently pull the cleaner over the tongue from back to front. Repeat this process a few times.
• Rinse your mouth with water and rinse the tongue cleaner under running water.

This is followed by oil pulling, also known as Gandusha. Pure, cold-pressed sesame oil or coconut oil are ideal for this. The sesame oil should be “ripened”, i.e. it should have been heated to 108°C at least once.

• Place 1-2 tablespoons of warm oil in your mouth.
• Swish the oil around in the mouth and draw between your teeth.
• Once the oil turns white and frothy, discard in a paper towel or other container. CAUTION: Do not pour the oil down the drain!

Finally, rinse your mouth with an Ayurvedic mouthwash to freshen your breath and finish your morning dental care routine.

Summary:

1. Brush your teeth with toothpaste or tooth powder.
2. Remove the coating on your tongue with a tongue cleaner.
3. Follow with oil-pulling - rinse your mouth with 1 tablespoon of sesame oil for a few minutes.
4. Finally, rinse your mouth with an Ayurvedic mouthwash for fresh breath - this can also be repeated during the day as needed.