Ayurvedic Tools to Support Oral & Digestive Health

Since I was introduced to tongue scraping many years ago, it has become my non-negotiable morning ritual. It's the first thing I do when I wake up and the one part of my daily routine that never changes. Not only do I love the well-known benefits, my mouth has never felt so clean!

Oral health is a vital aspect of our overall well-being, yet it often doesn't get the attention it deserves. While brushing and flossing are essential parts of oral care routines, incorporating beneficial practices like the ancient Ayurvedic techniques of tongue scraping and oil pulling can elevate not only your oral health but your overall health as well.

Good oral hygiene equates to better digestive health, and digestive health is linked to our overall state of being. Therefore, better digestive health equals better health. Practices like tongue scraping and oil pulling contribute to improved digestive health by:

• Reducing Harmful Bacteria: Both practices help reduce the number of harmful bacteria in the mouth. When these bacteria are controlled, fewer are swallowed, leading to a healthier balance of gut flora.

• Saliva Production: Tongue scraping stimulates the salivary glands, increasing saliva production. Saliva contains digestive enzymes that begin the process of breaking down food, which is crucial for efficient digestion.

• Detoxification: Oil pulling is believed to help detoxify the mouth by trapping and removing toxins, preventing them from entering the digestive system and causing issues like indigestion or inflammation.

• Stimulation of Digestive Enzymes: The act of swishing oil can stimulate the secretion of digestive enzymes in the mouth, enhancing the initial stage of digestion.

What is Tongue Scraping?

Tongue scraping involves using a special tool, typically made of metal or copper, to gently remove the coating of bacteria, food particles, and dead cells from the surface of the tongue. It is known to help you have fresher breath, improve your taste, and reduce the bacterial load in the mouth, providing for better oral conditions and improved digestive health.

To get started:

1. Choose the Right Tool: You can find an option here for your convenience. I recommend a copper tongue scrapper given it’s antimicrobial properties.

2. Scrape Gently: Start at the back of your tongue and gently scrape towards the front. Repeat several times, rinsing the scraper between each pass.

3. Make it a Habit: Tongue scrape daily each morning for the best results. I literally roll out of bed, pop to the loo, wash hands, tongue scrap, brush teeth and start my day.

What is Oil Pulling?

Oil pulling is another ancient Ayurvedic practice that involves swishing organic oil, usually coconut, sesame, or sunflower oil, in your mouth for 15-20 minutes. Some of the incredible benefits of oil pulling include:

• Reduced Bacteria: Helps to prevent cavities and gum disease by reducing the harmful bacteria in your mouth.

• Fresher Breath: Regular oil pulling can significantly reduce bad breath.

• Whiter Teeth: May help reduce stains on your teeth, leading to a brighter smile.

• Improved Gum Health: Helps reduce inflammation, promoting healthier gums.

• Enhanced Digestive Health: By reducing the number of harmful bacteria entering your digestive system, it supports better overall digestion.

To practice oil pulling:

1. Choose Your Oil: Select a high-quality, organic oil such as coconut, sesame, or sunflower oil.

2. Swish for 15-20 Minutes: Take a tablespoon of oil and swish it around your mouth, making sure to pull it through your teeth. Avoid swallowing the oil.

3. Spit and Rinse: After 15-20 minutes, spit the oil into a trash can (not the sink, as it can clog pipes). Rinse your mouth with warm water and brush your teeth as usual. Hint: start with 5 or 10 minutes and then work upwards from there!

Tongue scraping and oil pulling are simple yet powerful practices that can enhance both your oral and digestive health. By incorporating these ancient techniques into your daily routine, you can enjoy fresher breath, healthier gums, a cleaner tongue, and improved digestion. Remember, small changes can make a significant difference.

To begin your journey, start by selecting one of these practices and committing to it for a four-week period. I would personally start with tongue scrapping but I am a little a bias. Once it becomes part of your routine, you can introduce the other. Change takes time, and breaking old habits can be challenging, so make sure the changes you implement feel easy and natural, rather than forced. This way, they are more likely to become ingrained as part of your daily life.

Investing in these practices is investing in your health, and the benefits will have long-lasting effects on both your oral and digestive well-being. We hope this is another practical element you can introduce into your daily routine to improve your overall well-being.

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Reference Articles

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Hills RD Jr, Pontefract BA, Mishcon HR, Black CA, Sutton SC, Theberge CR. Gut Microbiome: Profound Implications for Diet and Disease. Nutrients. 2019 Jul 16;11(7):1613. doi: 10.3390/nu11071613. PMID: 31315227; PMCID: PMC6682904.

Olsen I, Yamazaki K. Can oral bacteria affect the microbiome of the gut? J Oral Microbiol. 2019 Mar 18;11(1):1586422. doi: 10.1080/20002297.2019.1586422. PMID: 30911359; PMCID: PMC6427756.