Ayurvedic review article on Shitada with special reference to Gingivitis

Abstract

Oral cavity is a unique area of the body which is also known as the window of G.I.T. because many systemic disease can be clinically correlated upto some extent. If oral hygiene is not maintained properly than its sequelae can be quite dangerous. Without treatment gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, in which the inflammation of the gums results in tissue destruction and bone resorption around the teeth which is more serious and can eventually lead to loss of teeth in 40-45% of population of India. Food and plaque can get trapped in this space and cause a gum infection or it may leads to gingivitis on chronic accumulation of food or plaque. Plaque is a thin biofilm of bacteria which is continuously formed on the surface of teeth, as plaque advances it hardens and gets converted into tartar, when plaque extends below cervical line it may leads to bacterial infections like Gingivitis. If left untreated this bacterial infection can lead to detachment of gums from tooth surface and the tooth/teeth may become loose and unstable.