Unhealthy breath could be embarrassing, and an apparent signal that one thing is probably not proper along with your oral well being. Past poor oral well being, disagreeable breath can be brought on by consumption of meals like uncooked onions or garlic, or after waking up following a great evening’s sleep. I particularly like to pair uncooked onions with most meals, and when I’m house, I don’t actually give it a lot thought! However when I’m exterior, I are likely to get aware about unhealthy breath. My mother instructed me to do what many individuals in India do — chew betel leaf after a meal. It’s a heart-shaped, shiny inexperienced leaf historically utilized in south Asian tradition for chewing after meals or for spiritual functions. The normal recipe consists of the betel leaves mixed with areca nut additionally known as as supari, and slaked lime additionally known as as chuna to make a paan which individuals chew after a meal. It could really feel refreshing to have paan after a meal, however chewing solely a betel leaf may even do, says my mother.

What are the advantages of betel leaf for oral well being?

Nothing can exchange the advantages of brushing and flossing to assist in eliminating dental plaque, which is a sticky movie of micro organism that will get fashioned on the tooth. However house cures like use of betel leaf can be good for oral well being generally.

Varied research have regarded into using betel leaves orally or by way of merchandise for enhancing oral well being. Betel leaf natural toothpaste was discovered to be useful in coping with plaque and gingival bleeding (bleeding gums), as per a 2022 examine revealed within the Dentistry Journal. One other examine revealed within the Journal of World Oral Well being in 2023 discovered that consuming plain betel leaves after a meal helped in neutralising the salivary pH. This, in flip, diminished the acid assault on tooth which causes demineralisation. It’s the lack of minerals from the physique that may result in weak tooth enamel.

Betel leaves have antimicrobial properties that may assist scale back micro organism within the mouth, and forestall infections and unhealthy breath, says Ayurvedic professional Dimple Jangda. It is usually excessive in antioxidants, which can assist scale back oxidative stress. Betel leaves act as a gentle analgesic or a painkiller, and scale back ache from oral sores or toothaches. Additionally, chewing betel leaves improves saliva manufacturing.

Find out how to use betel leaf for oral well being?

Listed below are some the methods to make use of betel leaf:

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• Eat betel leaves, however sparsely, and with out further components.
• Use natural toothpaste with betel leaf in it
• Use betel leaf mouthwash. You may boil a number of betel leaves in water, pressure the liquid, and squish it round in your mouth for a minute or extra like a mouthwash.

Other than oral well being, in lots of properties, individuals additionally use it to deal with phlegm and cough in kids. For this, a betel leaf is warmed on a pan, made right into a paste and utilized on the chest of the kid affected by phlegm, says the professional. The warmth generated from betel leaves paste helps the kid cough out the phlegm and offers reduction from respiratory well being points. Alternatively, you may as well boil betel leaves in water and gargle with this concoction to deal with sore throat and mouth infections.

For normal oral well being upkeep, it’s best to chew only one betel leaf after a meal. You can even use the betel leaf mouthwash two to a few instances per week to stop unhealthy breath.

What are the negative effects of betel leaves?

Earlier than utilizing betel leaves for oral well being, know its negative effects:

• Overuse or chewing betel leaves with added substances like tobacco or areca nut could cause irritation and harm the oral mucosa, which is the mucous membrane lining or pores and skin contained in the mouth.
• Individuals can also expertise allergy symptoms like itching, redness, or swelling within the mouth.
• It may severely stain the tooth and make it visually disagreeable.
• When betel leaves are consumed in extra or mixed with areca nut or tobacco, it may even set off oral most cancers.

Who ought to keep away from utilizing betel leaves for oral well being?

Individuals with allergy symptoms ought to keep away from consuming betel leaves. Those that have pre-existing oral well being points like delicate gums, and mouth ulcers ought to keep away from betel leaves as it may worsen these signs. Kids and pregnant ladies must also keep away from consuming betel leaves.

Betel leaves provide oral well being advantages as a result of their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. However they should be consumed sparsely and with warning.