In Ayurveda, daily teeth cleaning is an essential practice recommended to maintain oral hygiene and balance the doshas (body's energy types). The use of specific herbal twigs, each known for its medicinal properties, serves as a natural toothbrush.

Selection of Twig Based on Taste & Dosha

1. Sweet (Madhura) Herbs
   Best for: Pitta Dosha

   • Licorice (Madhuka): Cooling and anti-inflammatory, soothes gums, helps with ulcers.
   • Fig Tree (Udumbara): Gentle action on gums, maintains oral health.
   • Arjuna: Balances Pitta, used for oral infections.

2. Bitter (Tikta) Herbs
   Best for: Pitta and Kapha Doshas

   • Neem (Nimba): Antibacterial, prevents oral infections, reduces inflammation.
   • Karanja: Cleanses mouth, balances Pitta.
   • Khadira (Acacia): Prevents plaque, keeps gums healthy, ideal for Kapha.

3. Astringent (Kashaya) Herbs
   Best for: Kapha Dosha

   • Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna): Tightens gums, reduces Kapha buildup.
   • Bilva (Bael): Astringent, provides fresh feeling in the mouth.
   • Black Catechu (Khadira): Strong astringent qualities, tightens gums.

4. Pungent (Katu) Herbs
   Best for: Vata and Kapha Doshas

   • Karanja (Pongamia pinnata): Combats Kapha and Vata, antibacterial.
   • Babool (Acacia nilotica): Antimicrobial, balances Kapha, tightens gums.
   • Clove (Lavanga): Fights infections, relieves pain, balances Vata and Kapha.

5. Sour (Amla) Herbs
   Best for: Vata Dosha

   • Indian Gooseberry (Amla): Rich in Vitamin C, strengthens gums, promotes oral health.
   • Tamarind (Imli): Mildly sour, Vata-pacifying properties, maintains oral hygiene.

Summary of Dosha Suitability

• Vata: Neem, Clove, Arjuna, Amla
• Pitta: Licorice, Fig Tree, Karanja
• Kapha: Khadira, Babool, Arjuna, Bilva

Preparation and Usage

1. Size of the Twig:

   • Should be around 12 fingers in length and soft enough to chew. Hard twigs should be avoided to prevent gum injury.

2. Position for Cleaning:

   • Sit facing east or north with a calm and focused mind.

3. Chewing and Brushing:

   • Chew the end of the twig until it frays, creating a brush-like texture. Use this to gently scrub each tooth, moving from one side to the other.

Frequency

• Teeth cleaning is recommended in the morning as part of daily routine (Dinacharya). For those consuming oily or heavy foods, it can be repeated after meals.

Additional Instructions

• Use gentle, circular motions to avoid damaging gums.
• Follow up with a tongue scraper made of silver, copper, or gold to maintain a balanced oral microbiome.

Contraindications for Teeth Cleaning (Dant Dhavan)

Teeth cleaning has specific contraindications for individuals experiencing certain health conditions:

1. Mouth Ulcers or Sores:

   • Avoid twigs as they may irritate and worsen the condition.

2. Gum Diseases (e.g., Gingivitis, Bleeding Gums):

   • Should be avoided until gums are healed to prevent further bleeding.

3. Acute Throat Conditions:

   • Conditions like sore throat or tonsillitis may worsen with vigorous cleaning.

4. Excessive Tooth Sensitivity:

   • Hard twigs or vigorous brushing may aggravate sensitivity; softer options are advisable.

5. Fever and Weakness:

   • Avoid rigorous teeth cleaning when experiencing fever or fatigue.

6. Headaches or Migraines:

   • Delay teeth cleaning until the headache subsides to avoid worsening discomfort.

7. Post-Surgery or Oral Procedures:

   • Not recommended after dental surgeries to prevent irritation.

8. Respiratory Issues:

   • Individuals with severe respiratory conditions may prefer gentler oral hygiene practices.

These contraindications align with Ayurvedic principles, emphasizing respect for the body's state and avoiding practices that may disrupt healing or aggravate symptoms.

1. Prevention of Oral Ailments:

   • Ayurvedic teeth cleaning helps prevent common issues like cavities, gum disease, and infections. By using natural antibacterial twigs, it reduces harmful bacteria that can lead to various oral health issues.

   Translation: "By practicing regular teeth cleaning, issues such as bad breath, taste impairment, and various diseases of the tongue and mouth are resolved, leading to a clean and light feeling."

2. Enhanced Taste Perception:

   • One of the key benefits of this practice is improving the sense of taste. A clean mouth allows the taste buds to function effectively, enhancing the overall experience of eating and promoting proper digestion.

3. Removes Toxins and Bad Breath:

   • The medicinal properties of the twigs help remove toxins and impurities from the mouth, reducing foul breath and providing a fresh, clean sensation.

4. Balances Doshas:

   • Selecting a twig specific to one's dosha helps to balance that particular energy type. For instance, bitter-tasting neem is beneficial for Pitta and Kapha, while astringent Khadira helps reduce Kapha, bringing about a balanced internal state.

5. Provides Mental Freshness:

   • By starting the day with a thorough oral cleaning, Ayurveda holds that mental clarity and freshness follow. The cleanliness of the mouth is believed to impact one’s mental state, promoting focus and clarity throughout the day.
6. Properties of Various Herbs

अर्के वीर्य वटे दीप्तिः करओ विजयो भवेत् । लक्षे चैवार्थसंपत्ति दर्या मधुरो ध्वनिः ॥ 17.

खदिरे मुखसौगन्ध्यं बिल्बे तु विपुलं धनम् । उदुम्बरे तु वासिद्धिस्त्वाम्रे त्वारोग्यमेव च ॥ 18.

कदम्बे च धृतिर्मेधा चम्पके दृढवाकुश्रुतिः । शिरीषे कीर्तिसौभाग्यमायुरारोग्यमेव च ॥ 19.

अपामार्गे धृतिर्मेधा प्रज्ञा शक्तिस्तथा ध्वनिः । दाडिम्यां सुन्दराकारः ककुभे कुटजे तथा ॥ 20.

जातीतगरमन्दारैर्दुःस्वप्नश्च विनश्यति ।

• Using the cotton twig for brushing teeth enhances vitality.

• Using the banyan twig increases brilliance.

• The karanja twig leads to victory.

• The piper twig increases wealth and prosperity (including various ornaments and valuables).

• The bore twig improves vocal quality.

• The khar twig brings joy and fragrance.

• The bal twig yields plenty of wealth.

• The udumbara twig grants the ability to speak truthfully.

• The mango twig promotes health.

• The kalamba twig purifies speech and strengthens hearing abilities.

• The sirisha twig bestows fortune, longevity, and health.

• The aghada twig strengthens mental clarity, intelligence, reading ability, and voice.

• Using the twigs of pomegranate, arjuna, and khadira enhances beauty.