Āyurvedic Oral Care Tips

As a child, I really disliked brushing my teeth. I remember going into the bathroom, turning on the water and pretending to brush… until my grandma caught me one day. I was taught to floss as a teen but didn’t bother with it and my dental visits always resulted in having cavities. After learning Ayurvedic oral health and actually doing them, my dental visits are now just basic cleaning with an occasional repair of an old filling.

Taking care of your mouth will assure you a lasting beautiful smile. The following tips will help assure you a healthy mouth and beautiful smile.:

Brush and floss your teeth regularly. Improper care can result in sensitivities, cavities, gum disease and loss of teeth. If you are not sure if you are flossing and brushing correctly, call your dentist, she will be happy to show you.

Clean your tongue in the morning. Using a tongue cleaner, start at the back of the tongue and gently scrape the top of the tongue to remove accumulated wastes. The tongue is an organ of digestion and it mirrors the condition of the intestines. A thick coating on the tongue reflects the presence of toxins in the digestive tract. Cleaning the tongue improves oral hygiene, promotes fresh breath and enhances the sense of taste.

Oil Pulling in the morning. Using sesame or coconut oil, place one tablespoon oil in your mouth and begin to swish around. Continue for three to 20 minutes (I like to do this while I am showering. When done, spit oil out into the garbage (do not swallow it). Oil pulling supports healthy gums and helps to reduce plaque.

Eat a balanced diet of fresh whole foods. Limit your intake of sugars, soft drinks, candy and other foods that stick to your teeth.