No Toothpaste, No Mouthwash: Acharya Balkrishna Reveals the Ancient Art of Cleaning Teeth with ‘Datun’

Before the advent of toothpaste, mouthwash, and dental floss, Datun—twigs from specific trees—was traditionally used in India for oral hygiene. Acharya Balkrishna of Patanjali recently explained how to select the best twigs and use them effectively for cleaning teeth.

Not Every Twig Can Be Used
Contrary to popular belief, not all tree twigs are suitable for oral care. Acharya Balkrishna points out that twigs from trees with sweet, sour, or salty sap are ineffective. Only twigs from trees with bitter, pungent, or astringent sap are suitable for making datun.

How to Make and Use Datun
To prepare a datun, select a straight, bark-covered twig about 6 inches long and the thickness of a finger. Chew the top 2-inch portion until it becomes brush-like. Use this end to gently scrub your teeth, gradually cleaning every surface.

Scientific Support
Several studies, including research listed on NCBI, highlight the benefits of using neem and babool twigs as datun. These twigs have antimicrobial properties and can combat Streptococcus mutans, the bacteria responsible for cavities. Among the two, neem exhibits slightly stronger antibacterial effects than babool.

Datun: A Time-Tested Oral Care Solution
Datun remains a simple, natural, and highly effective method for maintaining oral hygiene, reflecting centuries-old Ayurvedic wisdom.