Sensitive teeth can cause a lot of issues to people by limiting things one can consume and causing pain when doing so. Tooth sensitivity is a common and treatable condition. Teeth sensitivity can occur when you eat something hot, cold, sour or even when your teeth are exposed to cold air.

What Causes Tooth Sensitivity?

The Cleveland Clinic explains that this pain can be sharp, sudden and shoot deep into your tooth nerve endings. Factors that can cause tooth sensitivity are brushing too hard, as doing so can damage the enamel and cause the dentin to be exposed it can also cause gum recession. Gum diseases could also be a reason for sensitive teeth as they can lose supporting ligaments exposing the roots that lead to the nerve of the tooth.

Other causes include cracked teeth, teeth grinding, teeth whitening products etc. There are numerable cures for this, many of which can be done at home. Make sure you loop in with a healthcare professional before making any drastic changes to your routine and ensuring safety. Here are some you can try.

Oil Pulling

Oil pulling is a very old method from India where you swish oil, like sesame or coconut oil, in your mouth for several minutes. Some people believe this practice can help make their teeth less sensitive. It's thought that the oil might help clean your mouth and gums, which could indirectly ease discomfort when your teeth react to hot, cold, or sweet things.

Guava Leaves

Chewing on guava leaves or using a gel made from them might help with tooth pain and sensitivity. These leaves contain natural substances that could help calm pain, reduce swelling, and fight germs in your mouth.

Clove Gel

Clove oil has been used for a long time to help with toothaches, and now science is starting to see why it might work. Studies suggest that clove gel could be as good as some numbing gels for pain. Applying this gel to your gums might also help reduce the sharp feelings you get with sensitive teeth, though more research is still being done.

Garlic

Garlic isn't just for cooking; it's also a traditional remedy for toothaches. When you chew garlic, it releases a substance that can kill harmful bacteria in your mouth. These bacteria can contribute to problems like tooth decay, which can make your teeth more sensitive.

Saltwater Rinse

Rinsing your mouth with warm salt water is a basic but helpful way to keep your mouth clean and fight off bacteria. Studies have shown that a saltwater rinse can be as good as some special mouthwashes at reducing the buildup of plaque on your teeth. A cleaner mouth can sometimes lead to less gum irritation, which in turn might help with tooth sensitivity.

Turmeric

Turmeric, a yellow spice, is known for reducing swelling and contains a substance that might help with pain. While some people use turmeric paste on their gums for tooth sensitivity, there isn't much scientific proof yet that it works for this purpose in the same way it might help other types of pain.

Amaranth, known in Ayurveda as Tanduliya, is a revered plant used both as a grain and a leafy vegetable. In India, the grain is popularly called "Rajgira" or "Rama's grain.". This ancient plant is celebrated not only for its nutritional richness but also for its medicinal properties in traditional Ayurvedic medicine.

Nutritional Profile And Health Benefits

Amaranth is a gluten-free pseudocereal rich in proteins, lipids, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, and dietary fibre. It contains all nine essential amino acids, making it a complete protein source. The grain is also abundant in iron, magnesium, and vitamin C. Its high fiber content aids in digestion and helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels. Additionally, the presence of antioxidants like gallic acid and vanillic acid contributes to its anti-inflammatory properties.

The leaves of the amaranth plant are equally nutritious, containing carotenoids, flavonoids, and phenolic acids. These compounds help protect against conditions such as heart disease, cancer, and arthritis. The fibre in the leaves also supports digestive health and assists in blood sugar regulation.

In Ayurvedic texts, Tanduliya is described as slightly heavy to digest (guru), with a pungent post-digestive taste (katu vipaka), and is considered alkaline (sakshaara). It is known to promote bowel movements (sara) and has properties that can increase certain bodily elements (shleshmala).

Different species of amaranth, such as Amaranthus viridis, are used in traditional remedies. The extract of the plant is utilised in treating respiratory disorders, gynaecological issues, diabetes, urinary tract infections, pain, and diarrhoea. A decoction made from the root, combined with Cucurbita pepo (pumpkin), is traditionally used to control bleeding following an abortion and to treat piles.

Culinary Uses And Preparation

Amaranth grains can be cooked similarly to rice or oats, making them a versatile addition to various dishes. They can be boiled to make porridge, popped like popcorn for snacks, or ground into flour for baking. The leaves can be prepared like spinach or kale, added to soups, salads, or stir-fries.

Amaranth stands out as a plant that bridges ancient wisdom and modern nutrition. Its rich nutrient profile and medicinal properties make it a valuable addition to both diets and traditional healing practices. Whether consumed as a grain or leafy vegetable, amaranth offers a multitude of health benefits that have been recognised for centuries.

Onion and garlic are both superfoods. Not only do they benefit cardiovascular health, but they also reduce inflammation in the body. While they are excellent for the body, it is often not recommended in Ayurveda. But have you wondered why?

Well, it is because onions and garlic, despite their health benefits, are considered negative in nature. While this ancient practice recognises the health benefits of these two, they recommend consuming them in lesser quantities. Their excessive usage is not supported as onion is considered as Tamasic in nature (makes people irritable) and garlic is rajasic (disturbs sleep and drained energy). However, this ancient practice acknowledges its individual health benefits. Here is why:

Heart Health: Onions are rich in flavonoids and antioxidants that reduce inflammation and lower cholesterol levels, helping to keep the heart healthy. Studies have shown that quercetin, a potent antioxidant found in onions, can significantly reduce blood pressure.

Boosts Immunity: The presence of vitamin C, sulfur compounds, and antioxidants makes onions a strong immune booster. Regular consumption can aid in warding off common infections and colds.

Anticancer Properties: Onions contain organosulfur compounds, which have been linked to a reduced risk of certain cancers, including colon and stomach cancer. These compounds help eliminate toxins and inhibit cancer cell growth.

Diabetes Management: Onions can help regulate blood sugar levels due to their high fibre content and chromium. Consuming onions may assist in preventing insulin resistance.

Gut Health: The fiber in onions promotes gut health by feeding beneficial bacteria. Additionally, onions contain prebiotics that enhance digestive function.

The Health Benefits of Garlic

Heart Protection: Garlic is widely known for its heart-protective effects. Allicin, its key bioactive compound, can lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol levels, and improve blood vessel health.

Immune Booster: Garlic’s antimicrobial and antiviral properties help fend off infections. It is also rich in vitamin C and B6, which further strengthen the immune system.

Anti-inflammatory Effects: Regular consumption of garlic can reduce inflammation in the body, potentially lowering the risk of chronic diseases like arthritis.

Cancer Prevention: Garlic contains sulfur compounds that have been linked to the prevention of certain cancers, particularly stomach and colorectal cancer.

Blood Sugar Regulation: Studies suggest that garlic can improve insulin sensitivity and lower blood sugar levels, making it beneficial for individuals with type 2 diabetes.

History of many ayurvedic roots and herbs span across the worlds, not just India, but many middle eastern countries and east Asian countries also have been using them for a very long time. Many of these ayurvedic natural remedies have been available to use in our homes. One of these herbs is known as licorice root according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health the use of this root has been traced back to ancient Assyrian, Egyptian, Greek, Arab, Chinese, Tibetan, and Indian cultures.

Its traditional medicinal used included practices like coughing, asthma and wound healing as well as other diseases that affect the lungs liver and arteries. While there are dietary supplements of licorice roots that help our digestion, respiration as well as energy, there are also topical versions that can be applied to the skin for certain conditions.

What Are Its Benefits?

Using a licorice mouthwash or gargle might help make canker sores smaller and less painful for people who get them often. Putting licorice directly on the sore might only help it shrink. One study showed that using licorice with regular canker sore medicine worked better than just the medicine. Gargling with licorice or using licorice candies before surgery might help stop or make a sore throat after surgery less bad.

Some early signs suggest that gels with licorice root might help with eczema or healing burns on the skin. But we need more research to know for sure if they work and if they are safe to use. One early study found that mouthwash with licorice might make bad breath better and get rid of some of the germs that cause it. We don't really know if using just licorice (not mixed with other herbs) helps with tummy problems.

Are Licorice Roots Safe For Consumption?

Licorice root is usually okay to eat as part of food. However, licorice has something in it called glycyrrhizin. If you eat a lot of it or use it for a long time, it can cause serious problems like your heart beating wrong or even stopping. Even a little bit of glycyrrhizin in licorice stuff has been linked to bad problems for people who eat a lot of salt, have high blood pressure, or have heart or kidney issues. Putting licorice root on your skin might be safe for a short time, but it could make some people's skin irritated. It could also mess with some medicines called corticosteroids.

Some Things To Keep In Consideration

Eating a lot of licorice extract (like 250 grams a week) when you're pregnant is not safe and can make you give birth too early. We don't know much about whether it's safe to use licorice when you're breastfeeding.

Unlike drugs, dietary supplements don't need to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before they are sold. However, if there are health worries about a supplement or an herb in it, the government can step in to protect people. The companies that make and sell supplements are responsible for making sure their products are safe and labeled correctly.