24 Sep Ayurvedic Dental Care for Healthy Teeth, Part 2
In our last post, we gave you an overview of Ayurvedic medicine and ayurvedic dental care. In today’s post, we’ll explore some Ayurvedic dental tips that you can use at home, if it happens to be something you’re interested in. You may even find that you already practice some of these things as a part of your at-home oral care regimen. At Prescott Dentistry, we understand that you care about holistic dental care, so we want to keep you informed on all the different holistic dental options out there!
Tip #1: Oil Pulling
This detoxifying technique has been around for thousands of years and is now recognized by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Oil pulling reduces plaque-induced gum disease and the amount of bacteria in the mouth. Swish about 2 teaspoons of sesame or coconut oil for 20 minutes a day. Just be sure to spit it out rather than swallowing it—and avoid spitting it down the sink as this can clog the pipes!
Tip #2: Tongue Scraping
According to Ayurveda, the tongue is associated with the thyroid, lungs, heart, kidneys, stomach, and colon. By scraping the tongue, you not only maintain a healthy mouth, but on a deeper level, you also support your organs. It is believed to remove toxins and dead bacteria, enhance the flavor of your food, improve bad breath, and clear your mind.
Tip #3: Salt
Ayurveda philosophy believes salt heats and calms the body. When you feel a cold or sore throat is coming on, a salt gargle and mouth rinse can help restore the mouth’s pH balance, discouraging bacterial growth. Regular salt gargles are an excellent preventative measure during cold and flu season.
Holistic Dentistry in Prescott
In Ayurveda, oral health is linked to overall health and well-being—the condition of the mouth and tongue are considered to be a window into the body’s health. While it should never replace your regular oral care routine, Ayurvedic dental care can be a great complementary therapy to regular brushing, flossing, and twice-yearly checkups and cleanings with Prescott Dentistry. If you’re overdue for a cleaning or looking for a holistic dentist in Prescott, give us a call today to set up an appointment!
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