Abstract

CONCEPT OF TEETHING IN AYURVEDA AND ITS RELEVANCE IN PRESENT ERA

Gupta Shilpy* and Kumar Vijendra

Abstract

Teething is an important event in life of a child. Mechanism of teeth eruption is a complex process. It includes various stages starting from embryonic stage to postnatal age and progress up to years for its completion. Ayurvedic texts have explained the odontogenesis and eruption process like genesis of dhatus (tissues) accordingly. Its origin is said to be inherited from paternal side. Kashyap samhita has explained about the classification, types of teeth and its origin in detail. Process of dentition, types of denture and its significance has partial resemblance with theory of modern dentition and odontogenesis. Counting of teeth, its formation and decay, fall of teeth as per age, auspicious and cosmetic aspect of teeth has been explained decorously. The sign and symptoms observed in child during teething are due to easy access of germs and infection in the gastrointestinal tract and respiratory tract. It is because of mouthing habit of child developed during the age of tooth eruption and opening of gums for appearance of teeth. The facts described in Kashyap samhita and other Ayurvedic literature is an applaudable contribution in this field.

Keywords: Dantajanmika, Dentition, Dhatu, teething, eruption, odontogenesis.