Abstract

ROLE OF SIDDHA SYSTEM IN MANAGEMENT OF ORAL HYGIENE

K. Rajeswari*, K. Vennila, M. Meenakshi Sundaram and R. Meenakumari

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Abstract

Oral diseases continue to be a major health problem world-wide. Oral health is integral to general well-being and relates to the quality-of-life that extends beyond the functions of the craniofacial complex. The standard Western medicine had only limited success in the prevention of periodontal disease and in the treatment of a variety of oral diseases. Hence, the search for alternative products continues and natural phytochemicals isolated from plants used in traditional medicine are considered to be good alternatives to synthetic chemicals. The botanicals in the Siddha material medica have been proven to be safe and effective, through several hundred to several thousand years of use. The exploration of botanicals used in traditional medicine may lead to the development of novel preventive or therapeutic strategies for oral health. The present scientific evidence based review is focused on the possible role of Siddha System in the management of oral hygiene.

Keywords: oral hygiene, siddha system, herbals for general oral health, Thandhathavanam (brushing), Naa Vazhithal (Tongue scrapping), Vai Kopalithal (gargling).