A bright, confident smile is a universal symbol of warmth and positivity. However, maintaining healthy gums and teeth can sometimes be a challenge. Gingivitis, a common gum disease characterized by inflammation and bleeding of the gums, can cast a shadow on your smiles and overall well-being. To maintain a bright and healthy smile, we must pay close attention to our oral health.
This inflammation is caused by a build-up of plaque on teeth. Plaque contains bacteria and some of these bacteria can be harmful and leave your gums inflamed and sore. Gingivitis is often caused by poor oral hygiene and a failure to remove the plaque during tooth brushing. There are also a lot of risk factors which can leave you more susceptible to developing gingivitis including: smoking, poor diet, diabetes and stress.
Treatment for gingivitis will first and foremost be adopting a good oral hygiene routine. This superficially includes, flossing and using mouthwash in addition to your usual tooth brushing.
Oral Health
While primarily brushing, flossing, and regular dental check-ups are crucial, Ayurveda teaches us that digestion plays a significant role in maintaining healthy teeth and gums. According to Ayurveda principles, proper digestion is the cornerstone of overall wellbeing, including oral health. In Ayurveda, digestion fire is responsible for breaking down the food we consume, extracting nutrients, and eliminating waste products from the body. Weak digestion can lead to the accumulation of toxins and undigested food particles in the body. These toxins, known as Ama in Ayurveda, can circulate throughout the body and contribute to various health issues, including oral problems. Also it is seen in routine that most primary symptom of indigestion is Halitosis.
Oral Hygiene Routine Practices…!
In addition to dietary changes, Ayurveda recommends certain practices for optimal oral-care. These practices can be incorporated into your daily routine to promote healthier teeth and gums:
Danta Pavana (Tooth brushing): Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to prevent damage to your gums and enamel. Moisten the toothbrush with water before applying toothpaste. Squeeze a pea-sized amount of toothpaste onto the bristles. Hold the toothbrush at a 45 degree angle against your gumline. Begin by brushing the outer surfaces of the teeth. Use gentle circular motions to clean front, back and chewing surfaces of each tooth. Tilt the toothbrush vertically to brush the inner surface of your teeth. Use a back-and-forth motion to clean the chewing surface. Brush your teeth at least twice a day, ideally in the morning and before bed.
Gandusha (Oil pulling): Oil pulling involves swishing a tablespoon of luke warm sesame oil in your mouth 10-15 minutes. This practice helps in removing toxins, plaque, bacteria from the oral cavity, reducing the risk of gum disease and promotes the fresh breath. It helps in conditions such as Bas breath, gum disease, tooth sensitivity and general oral health environment.
Jihwa Nirlekhana (Tongue scraping): Use a copper tongue scraper to gently scrape your tongue as these is considered beneficial due to its natural antibacterial properties. The scraping should be gentle to avoid causing any irritation or damage to the tongue. Scraping the tongue helps activating the digestive system and stimulate the production of digestive enzymes. It’s believed that taste buds are cleansed and revitalized, enhancing taste perception and ensuring a more balanced and enjoyable eating experience.
Dietary guidelines for managing GINGIVITIS!!
Pitta pacifying foods: includes cooling and calming foods to help balance excessive heat in body. Examples of cooling food: cucumber, leafy green vegetables, coconut, watermelon, fresh dates fresh figs, soaked resins, asparagus, beets, cooked broccoli, carrots, fennel, green beans, green onion, sweet potato, cooked oats.
Kashaya Dravya (Astringent foods): can help tighten and tone the gums. Examples of astringent foods are pomegranates, apples, lentils, beans and green leafy vegetables.
Avoid spicy and Hot foods: as they can aggravate Pitta and irritate gums. Example of spicy and hot foods are chili peppers, garlic, onions, excessive amount of ginger, food containing vinegar, etc.
Hydration: Stay well- hydrated to support overall oral health. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your mouth moist and aid in flushing out toxins.
Ghritapana: Goghrita is considered soothing and beneficial for the digestive system. Use moderate amount of ghee for cooking in your daily routine.
Easy-to-digest foods: Opt for light foods that won’t burden your digestive system. Examples steamed vegetables, Munga daal and cooked grains.
Minimize processed foods and sugar: Reduce intake of processed foods, sugary snacks and carbonated drinks as they can contribute to inflammation and dental tissues.
Avoid cold items and Drinks: Extreme cold food and drinks can aggravate the gums and sensitive teeth.
Regular diet schedule: Stick to a regular diet schedule to support digestion and overall balance in the body.
Friendly herbs for GINGIVITIS!!
Several herbs are known for their potential to support oral health and helpful in managing gingivitis. Always consult with a health care professional before using any herbs for medicinal purposes. Here are some commonly mentioned herbs for promoting gum health:
Nimba (Azadirachta indica): known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties which helps in reduction of plaque and fight bacteria associated with gingivitis.
Yashtimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra): helps in soothing the gums and reduces the inflammation. It only helps in treating bleeding gums and healing minor wounds but also helps in cleansing the mouth, enhancing salivation by improving secretions in gastrointestinal tract.
Amalaki (Emblica officinalis): is considered a general rebuilder of oral health. It works well as mouth rinse as a decoction. Amalaki also supports healing and development of connective tissue when taken internally also benefit gums. It is rich in Vitamin C which is essential for gum healing.
Aloevera (Aloe barbadensis): possess soothing and anti-inflammatory properties which helps alleviate gum irritation and support healing.
Triphala: is considered a poly-herbal medicine. All three Ayurvedic herbs in it, each possesses unique beneficial properties of its own. But the anti-microbial and astringent properties of this herbal powder or juice are extensively used for treating a wide-range of gum diseases including bleeding gums, plaque build-up and periodontitis.
Lavanga (Clove): The presence of the bioactive component Eugenol in Clove oil bestows it with strong germicidal properties. It is powerful remedy in treating bleeding gums, toothache, gingivitis, mouth ulcers, sore gums, etc. Owing to its aromatic properties, it is also beneficial in curing halitosis.
Guava leaf: offers a quick and easy remedy to treat gingivitis. Boil few leaves in water and rinse your mouth with it or make a paste of the leaves and apply it on the bleeding gums to get quick relief.
Protect your gums, embrace your future-
Because a healthy smile never goes out of style!!
