ORAL HYGIENE - many health-related conditions have been linked to poor oral hygiene and oral hygiene needs to be considered as an important part of our wellness routine. The use of a copper tongue scraper has been used first thing in the morning as the first part of an Ayurvedic ritual for thousands of years. Scraping when you wake up is said to reduce the accumulation of Ama (toxins) in the digestive system. Copper is said to have antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties and has proved to be the ideal tool to use for tongue scraping. The u-shaped tongue scraper is used by scraping forward from the back of the tongue at least five times making sure you rinse the scraper in-between. This practice will reduce tongue coating and bad breath by reducing volatile sulfur compounds produced as a byproduct of bacteria. It also stimulates taste buds improving taste and reduces harmful oral bacteria that compromise the gum, teeth, or oral health.

Oil pulling is another Ayurvedic ritual for oral hygiene that is now in vogue. Oils are lipophilic, attracting other oils, and when swished around in the mouth it has a saponification effect, acting as a detergent, soap, or cleansing agent on the oral mucosa. Traditional oil used are unroasted sesame oil and coconut oil. Swishing for around 10 minutes a day is recommended, to give time to activate the enzymes. There are a number of studies to show the effectiveness of swishing for 10 to 20 minutes a day. Bringing this into your daily routine to improve oral hygiene will reduce plaque, and decrease the population of streptococcus improving gum health.

I currently have a few copper tongue scrappers in stock if anyone is interested contact me. I also have the unroasted sesame oil which is hard to find in stores. Coconut oil is available easily if you wanted to try swishing and start a routine. Coconut oil, feels strange in the mouth at first if not liquified, swish about 1 tablespoon of oil around your mouth, and between the teeth, spit it out once you have finished swishing. It may take a little getting used to, to do it for the full 10 to 20 minutes. It's like starting a workout for the first time.

Swishing is an act of mindfulness and good for mental health, as well as a good workout for the jawline. Give it a try.