Ayurveda is a system of medicine that combines natural therapies with a personalized approach to the treatment. This form of health care focuses equally on the wellness of the body, mind, and spirit where an imbalance results in illness. There are three doshas, which govern the body: Vata, Pitta and Kapha. The mouth is the seat of the kapha dosha, care must be taken not to vitiate it. Problems with this dosha lead to several dental problems some of which are:
Bad breath
Toothache
Bleeding gums
Yellow teeth
Tooth decay
Ayurveda suggests a wide range of herbal and dietary solutions to dental problems some of which are:
Neem
The neem tree is a traditional remedy for white healthy teeth. Neem twigs are used as toothbrushes. Neem oils contain astringent and antiseptic properties to fight bad breath, kill microorganisms accumulated on the teeth and combat dental caries.
Turmeric
Besides flavoring food, purify blood; dental remedy is probably the most common use of Turmeric in Ayurveda. Prepare a mixture of a quarter teaspoon of common salt with mustard oil and apply on the affected tooth. Its daily use prevents dental caries, foul breath, bleeding from the gums, painful gums, and toothaches. Burn some turmeric sticks; make a fine powder and use as tooth powder. Gumtone is a trusted tooth powder from Charak Pharma.
Clove
Another remedy for toothache is in the use of clove, which lessens pain. It also helps decrease infection due to its antibacterial properties. Clove oil, applied to a cavity in a decayed tooth, also reduces toothache. Use a paste of zinc oxide powder and clove oil to fill the cavity in the aching tooth, also preventing food materials from accumulating in the cavity. Peel and crush a clove of fresh garlic and mix it with peanut butter. Apply it to the aching tooth and keep it there for some time.
Vitamin C prevents decay and loosening of the teeth, dental caries, toothache, and bleeding of the gums. Take Vitamin C rich diet to fight against toothache.
Sugar from candy, cookies, soft drinks and desserts damages teeth and gums hence should be avoided.