Does an apple a day keep the dentist away? If only it were that easy to maintain oral health. Brushing, flossing & eating healthy are important steps to preventing cavities, gum disease and other conditions that affect the mouth, teeth and gums. Yet, in today’s world, maintaining optimum oral health is becoming more challenging despite daily oral hygiene.
The mouth is, quite literally, the opening to the entire digestive tract. What you put into your mouth, chew and swallow is what will be passed through the metres of digestive tract – through the esophagus, stomach, small & large intestines and to the rectum. A healthy oral cavity sets the environment for a healthy digestive tract, which in turn is linked to all the systems in the body.
Click here to read the full article about Oral Health - 5 Common concerns
Ayurveda has placed a lot of importance on oral health and highlights the significance of dinacharya, or daily routine, related to oral health care. Brushing the teeth, scraping the tongue, gargling and swishing with oil or natural mouth washes are all part of daily oral hygiene. (Read more here about: Tongue cleaning)
The mouth is the primary location of bodhaka kapha - one of the subtypes of kapha. When bodhaka kapha is imbalanced, our oral health may get compromised as have repercussions in other bodily systems, so it is important to maintain a healthy mouth. Especially if you have a tendency towards kapha imbalances, the oral cavity and respiratory tract needs extra care.
In the spring, when the weather is warming up but the air is still crisp, and allergy season is budding, it is crucial to take care of oral hygiene as well as the respiratory passage. Below is a simple home-made mouthwash recipe you can make:
This mouth wash recipe is great to prevent sore throats & infections, help kills germs and reduce excess mucous in the mouth. Turmeric & salt have natural antimicrobial properties.
1 c. water
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 salt (natural sea salt, himalayan or mineral salt)
Herbs such as ginger or triphala can be added if advised by your ayurvedic practitioner.
Boil the mixture briefly and let it cool down. Gargle and swish with the mixture morning and evening during change of seasons for prevention.
If you have specific health concerns, it is always best to seek guidance of practitioner to address your concerns and customize treatments. Mouthwash can even be customized based on the person's constitution (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) and their symptoms. A persistent sore throat that is not improving should be checked by a Doctor.
The mouth is the primary location of bodhaka kapha - one of the subtypes of kapha. When bodhaka kapha is imbalanced, our oral health may get compromised as have repercussions in other bodily systems, so it is important to maintain a healthy mouth. Especially if you have a tendency towards kapha imbalances, the oral cavity and respiratory tract needs extra care.
In the spring, when the weather is warming up but the air is still crisp, and allergy season is budding, it is crucial to take care of oral hygiene as well as the respiratory passage. Below is a simple home-made mouthwash recipe you can make:
Turmeric Salt Water Gargle
This mouth wash recipe is great to prevent sore throats & infections, help kills germs and reduce excess mucous in the mouth. Turmeric & salt have natural antimicrobial properties.
1 c. water
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 salt (natural sea salt, himalayan or mineral salt)
Herbs such as ginger or triphala can be added if advised by your ayurvedic practitioner.
Boil the mixture briefly and let it cool down. Gargle and swish with the mixture morning and evening during change of seasons for prevention.
If you have specific health concerns, it is always best to seek guidance of practitioner to address your concerns and customize treatments. Mouthwash can even be customized based on the person's constitution (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) and their symptoms. A persistent sore throat that is not improving should be checked by a Doctor.
To learn more about oral health, join Dr. Leena Athparia's workshop - Oral Health. If you are interested in a naturopathic and ayurvedic assessment related to oral health or other concerns with Dr. Leena Athparia, ND contact Naturopathic Foundations at 905-940-2727 (Markham) or Yuri's Village at 416-466-5773 (Danforth). A complimentary 15 min meet n greet is available to learn more how Naturopathy and Ayurveda can help you.
