Because of our busy schedule, we often ignore taking care of our oral hygiene, which is of utmost importance. Since it plays an integral role in digestion, one of the most important functions of the human body, oral hygiene in Ayurveda is considered to be an important part of Dinacharya or daily self-care. The ideal Ayurveda regime starts with waking time up early in the morning before sunrise, followed by cleaning of teeth and tongue, applying collyrium to the eyes, then the administration of classical oil into nasal cavity followed by maintaining oral hygiene, etc.
Most of the people believe that brushing teeth and tongue scraping are the only methods beneficial for oral hygiene. But did you know that brushing only does 25% of your oral cleansing? Additional therapy like “oil pulling” is required for maintaining an excellent oral health.
Oil pulling is a simple process of swishing or rinsing oil inside the mouth, a growing trend. The concept of oil pulling isn’t new. This wonderful therapy traces its root from Ayurveda, dated back around 4thcentury BC, and has recently gained a lot of attention and popularity. During ancient days, this therapy was strictly followed as a daily regimen or Dinacharya to combat commonly occurring dental problems like tooth sensitivity, cavity, shaky tooth and bad breath.
Kavala and Gandusha are the two specialized oral cleansing therapy to treat and prevent oral diseases. There is a minor difference between the two. In gandusha the medicated decotion or oil is filled in the oral cavity for a certain period without gargling whereas, in kavala the medicine is hold in the oral cavity followed by gargling for certain time.
Thus oil pulling is nothing but the ‘kavala’ therapy mentioned in Ayurveda. This need to be incorporated into your daily routine to improve health and longevity.
The ancient technique of swishing/ rinsing is not done with oil alone. Ashtanga Hridaya, a classical Ayurvedic text has mentioned the use of warm water, herbal decoctions etc for swishing which helps to get rid of the disease of head, neck, ears, eyes and mouth.
Both healthy and diseased person can adopt Kavala. For a healthy person, Ayurveda advises regular use of sesame oil or Arimedadi tailam medicated oil mentioned in Sahasrayoga for rinsing). In case of diseases of oral cavity, the physician advises a particular medicated liquid for swishing.
Benefits of Kavala/ Oil Pulling
Adopt oil swishing daily and reap the many health benefits.
- Facilitate oral cleansing.
- Bring lightness to the oral cavity
- Remove toxins and pathogenic oral microbes, almost completely.
- Nourish and strengthen the buccal cavity.
- Get relief from mouth ulcer, anorexia and bad breath
- Improve vision and dental health.
- Prevent recurrent throat infection.
- Stimulates healthy digestion
- If done daily it keeps you away from tooth ache, shaky teeth, tooth decay, cavities, tooth sensitivity and gum related problems
