Effective Ayurvedic Treatment And Preventive Measures To Cure Oral Diseases

Introduction

Oral disease is a term used to describe some of the more common dental problems people are experiencing nowadays. These problems include dental cavities, gum disease, infectious disease, injury trauma, and oral cancers.
Oral hygiene is not described as a separate chapter in Ayurveda but it comes under the different chapters of Ayurvedic literature. Acharya Charaka described it under the topic “Swasthyavrata” which means personal hygiene in “Mattrashitiyaadhyaye”. Acharya Sushruta had told about oral hygiene in the "Anagatabhadapratished" chapter, while Acharya Vagbhatta described it in the “Dincharya” chapter. So Ayurveda has given special emphasis on personal hygiene which should be followed by each individual strictly.

Symptoms Of Oral Diseases

Symptoms of dental and oral problems include:

• Ulcers, sores, or tender areas in the mouth that won't heal after a week or two.
• Bleeding or swollen gums after brushing or flossing.
• Chronic bad breath.
• Sudden sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures or beverages.
• Pain or toothache.
• Loose teeth.
• Receding gums.
• Pain with chewing or biting.

Causes Of Oral Diseases

Many factors contribute to oral diseases, including:

• Smoking.
• Poor brushing habits.
• Frequent snacking on sugary foods and drinks.
• Diabetes.
• The use of medications reduces the amount of saliva in the mouth.
• Family history or genetics.
• Certain infections, such as HIV or AIDS.

Types Of Dental And Oral Diseases

• Cavities

  Cavities are also called caries or tooth decay. These are areas of the tooth that have been permanently damaged and may even have holes in them. Cavities are fairly common. They occur when bacteria, food, and acid coat the teeth and form a plaque. The acid on the teeth starts to eat away at the enamel and then the underlying dentin, or connective tissue. Over time, this can lead to permanent damage.

• Gum disease (gingivitis)

  It is also called gingivitis, which is inflammation of the gums. It is usually the result of plaque building up on the teeth due to poor brushing and flossing habits. Gingivitis can make the gums swell and bleed when we brush or floss. Untreated gingivitis can lead to periodontitis, a more serious infection.

• Periodontitis

  It is an oral disease that leads to an inflammation of the tissue around the teeth, often causing shrinkage of the gums and loosening of the teeth.

• Cracked or broken teeth

  A tooth can crack or break from an injury to the mouth, chewing hard foods, or grinding the teeth at night. A cracked tooth can be very painful.

• Sensitive teeth

  It means we feel pain or discomfort after having cold or hot foods or beverages. Tooth sensitivity is also referred to as “dentin hypersensitivity.” It sometimes occurs temporarily after having a canal or a filling. It can also be the result of gum disease, receding gums, a cracked tooth, and worn-down fillings or crowns.

• Oral cancer

  Oral cancers include cancer of the gums, tongue, lips, cheek, the floor of the mouth, and hard and soft palate. Tobacco use, such as smoking and chewing tobacco, is the biggest risk factor for oral cancer.

Some of the common types of oral diseases are cavities, gum diseases, Periodontitis, Cracked or broken teeth, Sensitive teeth, Oral cancer, etc.

Ayurvedic Treatment For Oral Diseases

For the treatment of oral diseases, Ayurveda prescribed some procedures such as oral cleansing, extractions, excisions, flap surgeries, etc.

1. Oral Cleansing

Gandusha and Kavala Graha are two primary oral cleansing techniques, specialized therapy to treat as well as to prevent oral diseases.

• Gandusha

  means filling the mouth in the morning with oil or medicated water daily and holding it for a few minutes without moving it inside the oral cavity. Oil pulling (Gandusha) has been used to prevent decay, oral malodor, gum bleeding, dryness of throat, cracked lips, and for strengthening the teeth, gums, and jaw.

• Kavala

  is a procedure of holding a comparatively small quantity of liquid in the mouth; make it move briskly inside and spitting out quickly. It removes the loss of appetite, bad taste, dirt, and excess salivation from the mouth.

2. Extractions

A simple extraction is the removal of a tooth that is visible in our mouth. During a simple extraction, the dentist will numb the tooth and gum tissue and loosen the tooth with an instrument called an elevator before removing it with dental forceps.

3. Flap Surgeries

It is a type of gum procedure that cleans the tooth and repairs bone damage caused by gum disease. The gums are separated from the teeth and folded back temporarily. Flap Surgery is typically done under local anesthesia, sometimes accompanied by oral anti-anxiety medications.

Ayurveda is a holistic approach that aims to provide effective treatment for oral diseases. Some of them are oral cleansing, extractions, excisions, flap surgeries, etc.

Conclusion

The above-mentioned pieces of information are collected from various Ayurvedic textbooks. Always seek the advice of an Ayurvedic practitioner before starting any herbs or herbal medicines for the treatment of Oral Diseases.

References

• Charaka Samhita.
• Sushruta Samhita.