Dental care
Ayurveda describes three types of procedures for healthy gums and teeth:
- Dantadhavan – teeth brushing.
- Kavala vidhi – retention of healing oils or decoction in the mouth;
- Gandusha vidhi – medical gargle.
Below you will find information about all the accessories and products needed to perform these hygienic and healing rituals.
Kavala vidhi and Gandusha vidhi: way of practicing
15 ml of sesame or coconut oil are needed for the procedure.
- Pour the oil into your mouth and hold it for 3-5 minutes or until mixed with enough saliva.
- Do not swallow the contents, but spit it out when finished.
- After spitting, rinse your mouth with about 100 ml of warm water (45-50 degrees).
Other medicinal oils, specially prescribed for procedures such as arimedas tailam and karpuradi tailam, are sometimes used for Kavala vidhi and Gandusha vidhi.
Benefits of Kavala vidhi and Gandusha vidhi
In combination with Ayurvedic herbs, Kavala vidhi and Gandusha vidhi are extremely useful methods of caring for gums and teeth:
- Protects teeth from decay
- Strengthen tooth roots
- Affect gingivitis, cavities and rubbing teeth
- Reduce swelling and bleeding gums
- Relieve periodontitis and thrush
Last but not least, Ayurvedic herbs have a cleansing effect that helps reduce bad breath. For this purpose, herbs such as cloves, arimedas, nimbi and others are used.
Medicinal herbs for brushing teeth
For teeth brushing, Ayurveda recommends using herbal brushes made from wooden twigs.
Suitable species are neem, acacia, trifala or arak, and with the length of about 30 cm long.
Ayurvedic oral hygiene products
The most effective Ayurvedic products for dental and oral care are: