6 Ayurvedic ingredients that promise brighter teeth and healthier gums

Time of India

24-05-2025

W
hen people think about health, the first thing to come to mind is the body. Fitness, being away from obesity and diseases, and the likes come first. And then there is mental health.
But what is often overlooked is the Oral health part.
While modern dental care focuses heavily on brushing, flossing, and the occasional dentist visit, ancient Indian wisdom and techniques give a more holistic approach to oral care. Ayurveda, India's healing system, has long emphasised the importance of oral hygiene, using natural herbs and ingredients to maintain strong teeth and healthy gums. In fact, many Ayurvedic remedies are still relevant and effective today, especially when it comes to getting brighter teeth and preventing gum disease.
Here we mention 6 Ayurvedic ingredients that are good for oral hygiene.
Akarkara
Akarkara is a lesser-known but powerful herb that is used in Ayurvedic medicine, especially for oral and dental issues. It is known for its elements and properties that help increase blood flow in the gums and with increased circulation, comes improved gum strength and a reduction in the risk of gum diseases.
When chewed or used as a paste, Akarkara helps stimulate the salivary glands, promoting the body's natural cleaning process.
Babul
The ancient treasure of India, Babul, is famous in Ayurveda for its natural astringent and antibacterial properties. Babul bark is often used to strengthen gums, reduce inflammation, and prevent bleeding, and it also helps in tightening loose teeth and healing oral ulcers.
Babul has tannins that naturally fight plaque formation and reduce bacteria in the mouth, making it excellent for maintaining oral cleanliness.
In fact, before toothpastes became an essential in the oral hygiene era, Babul twigs were used as 'datun'.
Neem
Neem is one of the most useful herbs in Ayurvedic dental care and is known for its powerful antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. Neem helps combat the bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease and it also helps in preventing plaque buildup and controlling bad breath.
Neem twigs too used to be used as Datun and were chewed by people for gum and teeth health.
Turmeric
Turmeric, or wild haldi, is also used in Ayurveda for gum strengthening. It has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that help relieve gum pain, reduce inflammation, and fight oral infections. And so people who suffer from swollen gums use diluted Haldi powder or paste on their gums.
Clove
Another amazing common kitchen ingredient for oral health is Cloves. Cloves are said to have pain-relieving and antibacterial effects, and in Ayurveda, cloves are used to relieve toothaches and prevent oral infections.
Clove oil, powder, and even whole cloves are used in dental care.
Pippali
Pippali, or long pepper, is also used in oral hygiene and has a lot of other benefits as well. It is used for its antimicrobial and rejuvenating properties, and is believed to stimulate gum tissue and reduce the accumulation of toxins in the mouth.
And all of these Ayurvedic ingredients are a part of many toothpastes that are now in the market. But even in that arena, many prefer Dant Kanti, Patanjali's toothpaste, for healthier gums and better teeth. Many elderly people believe in Dant Kanti's composition, some associate it with ancient Indian wisdom, and some others prefer it owing to Baba Ramdev's association with Patanjali.
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