ROLE OF TAMBULA SEVANA IN THE PREVENTION OF ORAL DISORDERS

Abstract

Chewing the mixture of areca nut, lime paste and betel leaf (paan) is a tradition, custom or ritual which dates back thousands of years from the Eastern hemisphere to the Western hemisphere. Ayurvedic classics mentioned tambula sevana in the context of Dinacharya for the maintenance of perfect oral hygiene, for good taste perception and as a preventive modality to avoid diseases of the oral cavity.In the present situation, many people are habituated to paan chewing along with harmful substances like tobacco, which has given rise to several problems like bleeding gums, bad odour of mouth and breath, mouth ulcers, adverse dental conditions and dreadful disorders like cancer of the oral cavity. Tambula has positive effects on health if taken in an appropriate way as explained in our classics. Different concepts related to tambula sevana are relevant even for the current lifestyle, where primary prevention comes into action.The present paper highlights the facts and myths related to tambula sevana and its role in the prevention of oral disorders.