HARNESSING HERBAL WISDOM: THE ROLE OF AYURVEDA IN DENTAL WELLNESS

Ayurveda, a 5,000-year-old system of medicine that originated in India, presents a holistic and integrative approach to healthcare by emphasizing the balance of bodily humours, known as doshas—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. This ancient science considers oral health as a vital component of overall well-being, linking dental conditions to imbalances in these doshas. Modern dentistry, while technologically advanced, often relies on synthetic medications and procedures that may have undesirable side effects. Ayurveda, with its foundation in natural substances and minimally invasive practices, offers a complementary pathway. This review aims to comprehensively explore Ayurvedic principles relevant to dentistry, delve into the pharmacological and therapeutic potential of Ayurvedic herbs, outline classical oral hygiene practices, and examine modern scientific evidence supporting these traditional interventions. The use of herbal medicines such as Neem, Tulsi, Triphala, Clove, and Turmeric is reviewed in-depth, along with their active phytochemicals and mechanisms of action. Furthermore, the paper discusses the multifaceted benefits of Ayurvedic dentistry, including its holistic and preventive approach, reduced reliance on chemicals, and cost-effectiveness. It also addresses the challenges hindering the widespread adoption of Ayurvedic principles in contemporary dental care, such as lack of scientific validation, standardization of herbal preparations, and integration barriers with modern medicine.