A REVIEW ON THE ROLE OF DANTADHAVANA IN THE MAINTENANCE OF ORAL AND GENERAL HEALTH

Abstract

Good oral health denotes healthy teeth, healthy gum and healthy surrounding tissue. Despite the fact that a large number of people in India suffers from periodontal diseases but has been remain neglected area where more social awareness is required. After consumption of food, within 15 to 20 minutes some bacteria acts on residue food particles and produce acid which causes dental decay. In addition of this the accumulated debris, bacteria etc. causes dental plaque. Dental caries and periodontal disease are the two most common worldwide prevalent dental ailments. Further maintenance of oral health is important not only for the structures of oral cavity, it also deliver huge impact on general health. Food particles cling between infected gum and teeth helps in development of pathogenic as well as commensal organism which may causes systemic disorder like rheumatic carditis, infective endocarditis etc. Dantadhavana, jihva nirlekhana, kavala, gandusha etc. are some procedure which helps to maintain oral health. Dantadhavana using herbal twig is an ancient custom and also in practice at present days although chemically produce tooth paste also used by a large number of population. The bristle of twigs mechanically removes the food debris which are trapped between the teeth. Its extract which are comes out during the bristle preparation alters the acidic media of oral cavity towards alkaline and thus helps to neutralise the acid, produced by the bacteria and thus prevents caries formation. Further the twigs also pose antimicrobial activity and healing property thus it is also helpful for prevention as well as to cure the periodontal disease. In addition of this regular dantadhavana increase the salivation which further helpful for the maintenance of oral health.