It is not wrong to say that the teeth are indicators of the beauty of the face. Even the best actors and actresses undergo cosmetic dental surgeries and whitening procedures to increase their ‘face’ value. A person with yellow or brown teeth is looked down on. Therefore, it is extremely necessary to properly care for the teeth.
The mouth is the seat of the kapha dosha. Therefore, care must be taken not to vitiate the kapha dosha. Problems with the kapha dosha lead to various oral and dental problems, including loss of whiteness of the teeth.
However, the Indian science of Ayurveda knows many methods by which a person can restore the whiteness of his teeth. There are also methods to maintain the whiteness of the teeth. Many of these advantageous methods are mentioned in this article, with some other tips and advice.
(1) Helpful Herbs for Teeth Whitening
1. Babul (Acacia arabica)
The importance of babul in teeth whitening cannot be expressed in words. It is so important in Ayurveda for this purpose that the ancient Indians used nothing but babul twigs (the other tree used for this is neem) as disposable toothbrushes. The tannin present in babul is effective in increasing the whiteness of the teeth.
2. Banyan tree (Ficus religiosa)
Banyan aerial roots can also be used as disposable toothbrushes. Banyan roots have astringent properties, which not only whiten teeth, but also make teeth and gums healthier.
3. Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum)
The leaves of the holy basil are dried in the sun and powdered and used to brush the teeth. The leaves help maintain dental hygiene and make teeth whiter. In addition to its whitening properties, holy basil is also used to ward off problems such as pyorrhea (ie bleeding gums).
4. Margosa (Azadirachtha indica)
The neem tree, or margosa, is a traditional remedy for healthy, white teeth. Even today, several Indians use neem twigs as toothbrushes. Neem oils contain astringent and antiseptic properties to combat bad breath, kill microorganisms accumulated on teeth, and fight tooth decay and cavities.
(2) Dietary methods of teeth whitening
To keep teeth clean and white, spicy, bitter and astringent foods should be included in the daily diet. These flavors have an astringent effect on the teeth that helps keep them clean. They also take care of excess plaque buildup on teeth, which causes them to lose their pearly white color.
Sugary foods in any form are bad for your teeth. The chocolates are not good either. If you do consume such foods, you should remember to wash your mouth out thoroughly with strong gargles so as not to leave any sweet residue in your mouth.
Avoid excess of tea and coffee. These drinks contain strong alkaloids that can stain teeth. The same is applicable to smoking. Almost everyone who smokes will lose the white coloration of their teeth. Chewing paan (betel leaf), as it is done in various regions of India, is also disastrous for the whiteness of the teeth. This habit can stain teeth cream, yellow, or even a dirty shade of rusty brown.
(3) Ayurvedic methods of teeth whitening
Ayurveda offers many types of toothpaste and toothbrushes to keep teeth white and healthy. One of them is toothpaste made by mixing a paste of holy basil leaves with mustard oil. Neem and babul twigs are used as toothbrushes. They are rubbed vigorously on the teeth (sometimes also with charcoal) to remove all the plaque accumulated on the teeth and whiten them.
(4) Home remedies for teeth whitening
1. For teeth that have lost their white color, prepare a mixture of babul wood charcoal, roasted alum, and a little rock salt. Rub this on your teeth instead of using conventional toothpaste. You will have healthy, white and long-lasting teeth.
2. You can try using baking soda regularly every morning as tooth powder instead of toothpaste. Baking soda replenishes the lost mineral content of the teeth, helping them to regain their whiteness.
3. Strawberries, tomatoes and amalaki contain a good content of vitamin C. These can be applied directly to the teeth. Vitamin C helps remove plaque from teeth and makes them whiter.
4. Rub an orange peel on your teeth every night before going to sleep. The vitamin C in the orange peel will fight microorganisms throughout the night.
5. Take appropriate dental hygiene measures. Brush your teeth after every meal, or at least in the morning and before bed. As you brush your teeth, be careful to sweep away any embedded food particles. This is the most natural way to keep your teeth white and healthy.
