What is oral hygiene?

Answer 1

Brushing teeth, showering, brushing hair, washing hands. From physiological point of view, oral hygiene is not merely aimed at dental and gum health. Oral hygiene practiced every morning, involving rubbing of the hard and soft palate, upper and lower [inner and outer aspects of] gums, inner aspects of cheek, undersurface and oversurface of tongue and the teeth [Cf. Superliving:Dr. Shriniwas Kashalikar] with or without tooth powder or paste [by use of finger and thumb] probably 1. stimulates the large area of parietal cerbral cortical representation of mouth, tongue and other oral areas and thereby helps in getting rejuvenated, buoyant, alert, attentive and composed 2. stimulates undersurfaces of bony cavities surroundings the oral vaity called sinuses and thereby reduces the congestion or stagnation of circulation of blood and prevents or reduces the chances of infection 3. stimulates the salivary glands, ducts and ductal openings and thereby increases salivation and its beneficial actions/activites 4. stimulates the blood supply of the gums and the roots of teeth 5. stimulates the taste receptors and improves the taste sensation. Gargling with water probably cleans and stimulates the remaining oropharyngeal areas and their circulation. Use of different herbs [e.g. Emblica officinalis (Phyllanthus emblica), Acasia catachu, Acasia arabica, Terminalia chebula, Terminalia bellerica etc.] in oral hygiene in different forms; though very important, requires extensive and thorugh discussion.