Here is your introduction to environmentally friendly tooth-cleaners. Twigs of bay, neem, eucalyptus, oak, juniper certain other pines and fir were used as their volatile oils (the benefits of which have given us the field of aromatherapy) are bloodwarming causing better circulation to the teeth and gums – boosting the immune system from within to protect and nourish the teeth. The tannin in the bark of the twigs helped tighten the Gums, they are further enriched with Vitamin C, which boost the immune system and is essential for maintaining healthy gums. The chewed-up bark would be used as a brush which polished the teeth, flossed the teeth and massaged the gums for better blood circulation. Roots of marshmallow, alfalfa, horseradish and licorice were also used as brushes.
The toothpastes and powders made were made out of minerals like alum, rocksalt, fuller’s earth with herbal principles like clove, pepper, turmeric, prickly ash(North America), myrrh gum (in the Middle East) – to warm, promote circulation, tighten gums, astringent in nature, detoxify, remove food debris and plaque. The circulation of blood is the basic principle of herbal medicine/ ayurveda. The simple act of brushing one’s teeth can lead to a healthy heart and circulatory system by unblocking arteries, dissolving clots.
Tea tree oil (take one drop in 500 ml of water) is a stimulant and antiseptic. The calyx of the aubergine or eggplant when burnt to ash and applied to the teeth, relieve toothache, gingivitis, and other diseases of mouth and gums.
Brushing teeth and flossing between the gums is half the job done – the color and cleanliness of the tongue reflects the health of the digestive tract. The process of scraping the tongue stimulates the digestive system by jumpstarting the process of peristalsis – the contractions and relaxations that take your food down and ahead into the intestines. This peristalsis also causes bowel movements and clear bowels everyday give you a clear pink tongue – an indicator of a healthy digestive system, hence preventing bad breath and plaque too. The tongue can be scraped by using a silver, copper, steel or plastic scraper – applied at the base of the tongue slowly pulled outwards towards the lips, this scraping causes the nerves of the tongue – attached to the brain and the digestive system to be stimulated and also removes the debris from the tongue’s surface.
Then there are rinses made out of herbs, mushes to be tucked next to the teeth – one such mush is the Indian Paan , a triangular packet stuffed with herbs and spices, meant to be digestives, teeth cleansers and breath-sweeteners. The paste of slaked lime called chunna is an astringent to kill germs, the Kattha or Cathechu is nothing but tannin and the betelnut too, tighten gums, the clove, fennel seeds, cardamom, the betel-leaf not only sweeten the breath, they warm and detoxify the blood; further rose leaves can also be added. The herbal pharmacopeia of the world is rich with its remedies – we would discuss it to infinity.
