Time to say bye to painful dental problems

Experts at IMS-BHU are working at saying good-bye to painful problem of dental pyorrhoea via four herbs, including multi-potent Neem.

Experts from Faculty of Dental Sciences have joined forces with those from Faculty of Ayurveda (both at IMS-BHU), to develop low cost and highly effective herbal remedy for pyorrhoea.

A proposal for putting in place a comprehensive system of low cost herbal remedy of pyorrhoea has been drafted by Dean of Faculty of Dental Sciences Prof Neelam Mittal and Dean of Faculty of Ayurveda Prof VK Joshi.

The proposal envisaging Clinical Trial-based research has been sent to WHO, (perhaps the first proposal ever to WHO combining modern medical science with Ayurveda) to treat a significant dental problem.

The four herbs identified by experts of Dentistry and Ayurveda in this regard, include Neem, Apamarga, Bakula and Haritaki.

While Apamarga, which is diuretic, astringent and blood purifier when applied on wounds alleviates pain and swelling, besides acting as a potent disinfectant, leaf extract of Neem helps decrease plaque formation.

Bakula, which also is a good natural astringent helps in dental ailments, like bleeding gums and pyorrhoea, while Haritiki which is very effective anti-caries agent can help in pyorrhoea with anti-microbial and astringent properties.

"The proposal to WHO for developing low cost and highly effective herbal remedy for pyorrhoea, stems from our successful administration of Trifla (three in one Ayurveda formulation) to treat dental ailments two years ago," Mittal told HT on Wednesday.

Once cleared by the WHO, the proposal will lead the way for a massive Clinical Trial at BHU Hospital for which the proposal has also been submitted to Ethical Committee of IMS-BHU for ethical clearance of the hospital trial-based research.

Hitherto, everything, spanning from diagnosis to medicated cleaning of teeth to actual medication, has been modern medicine-based, but the cost of long medication cannot be borne by poor patients.

"The four herbs which will be used in powdered form have long been used in dental ailments like pyorrhoea and are easily available as also very cheap. The powder of the four herbs will be prepared at Ayurvedic Pharmacy of IMS-BHU and then used for Clinical Trial, if the proposal is cleared by WHO," Mittal maintained.

Pyorrhoea is an advanced form of periodontal disease and infection to bones surrounding the teeth. It's caused by a variety of health factors, and may not be limited to dental-related causes alone.

Along with cavities, Pyorrhoea is the most common dental problem afflicting population in this part of the country and often leads to swelling of gums, dental bleeding, gum irritation, foul smelled mouth and pockets/spaces between gums and teeth.