Ayurveda and Oral Health Practices: Part 1

  Ayurveda, an ancient tradition of healing from India, works to balance the body in order to holistically improve wellbeing and prevent illness. In order to be as healthy as possible, Ayurveda stresses the removal of toxins, or ‘ama,’ from the body. Many toxins gather in the mouth, so Ayurveda and oral health go hand in hand. Here are few easy routines to improve oral health and, general wellbeing. Tongue Scraping Tongue scraping directly removes ‘ama,’ which, if left in your mouth, can result in a number of conditions. These toxins tend to gather on your tongue as a white coating (especially overnight). Being consistent about removing accumulations of these toxins help you avoid issues later on. An added benefit of tongue scraping is fresher breath — bad breath is often a result of bacteria and toxins in the mouth, and tongue scraping is fast and easy way to freshen up. Using Dr. Tung’s Stainless Steel Tongue Scraper, gently press the metal part of the scraper as far back on your tongue as you comfortably can and pull the scraper forward. Run it under some water in the sink to rinse off the ‘ama,’ and repeat a few times. Dr. Tung’s Ionic Toothbrush Dr. Tung's Ionic Toothbrush temporarily reverses the polarity of tooth surfaces from negative to positive, repelling plaque toward the toothbrush head. Plaque, a kind of ‘ama,’ can lead to cavities, gum problems and may cause bad breath. To make this practice even more effective, sprinkle baking soda on an ionic toothbrush. Dr. Tung’s Ionic Toothbrush works with or without toothpaste due to the ionic action. But most people like to use a dentrifice, and there are numerous Ayurvedic, organic or natural toothpastes available. Some oral health lovers even suggest occasional brushing with baking soda, to neutralize the acidity in your mouth. Due to baking soda’s alkaline properties, it is said to help rid the mouth of unwanted bacteria, reduce inflammation in the gums, and naturally whiten your teeth when used 2 to 3 times a week. Floss Smart with Smart Floss (& Cardamom!) At Surya Spa, we love Dr.Tung’s Smart Floss. Dr. Tung’s Smart Floss expands and stretches in your mouth catching and thus removing up to 55% more plaque. We also love that it’s made using natural plant and bees wax coating. We always want to ensure that the hygiene products we put in our mouth are naturally derived and free from any chemicals. Our favorite thing about Smart Floss is that it’s made with cardamom. In Ayurveda and oral health, cardamom has a variety of benefits. Just like its relatives ginger and turmeric, cardamom has anti-inflammatory properties that reduce pain and swelling, especially in the mucus membranes we find in the mouth and throat. Cardamom is also used to treat and prevent mouth ulcers and infections because the volatile essential oils in cardamom inhibit the growth of viruses, bacteria, fungus and mold. Finally, flossing with cardamom can help reduce bad breath. We call Dr. Tung’s Smart Floss "super floss!"

Warm Water One of the easiest ways to improve your oral health is to drink warm water, especially in the morning. As mentioned, excessive ‘ama’ in your body can lead to collections of bacteria and toxins in your mouth. But drinking warm water, according to Ayurveda, can help reduce the production of ‘ama’ through your entire body. By simply increasing your intake of warm water you can effortlessly reduce toxins in your body, before they even have a chance to get to your mouth. Written by Pamela Soffer of Surya Spa, an authentic, artisan ayurvedic clinic offering consultations and traditional treatments, focusing on 3 to 21 day highly-personalized Panchakarma Series. We are proud to have Surya Spa as one of our Smile Ambassadors.