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Rarely nowdays, Indonesian people do's dental treatment in a unique way

• 13 Juli 2020
• Insight
• Nasional

NetizenBali.com - Toothpaste or in Indonesia is usually referred to as 'Odol' or toothpaste, a human need that should not be missed. 'Odol' itself is a company that produces all the needs of oral hygiene such as dental care, gums, mouth and throat.

'Odol' entered the market in 1903 and the following year is expected to enter the Indonesian market. If new toothpaste entered in the 1900s, then before toothpaste was popular and finally used a lot, how do Indonesian people take care of their teeth?

Maybe your parents or grandparents told you about how they treated their teeth. Using brick, charcoal, until betel leaves (Betel leaf is a vine from the family of Piperaceae), are the ingredients that people use to take care of their teeth. 

Nowadays people rarely use these natural ingredients and prefer to use toothpaste. But, there's no harm in knowing how our grandparents care for their teeth, because some even become a tradition.

Chewing of betel (Piper betle L.) leaves

Sirih or piper betel is a tropical plant that grows in Southeast Asia, including in Indonesia. This plant has several variations such as green betel, yellow betel, pigeon leg betel, red betel, and black betel.

The tradition of caring for teeth by eating betel has long been carried out by the people of Indonesia. Usually called 'nginang' in Javanese. Betel nut has several additional components that must be available as a complement.

These supplements include betel leaves, areca nut (wet / raw or dry), gambier (an astringent extract) and tobacco. Some people also add cardamom to the betel nuts.

'Nginang' tradition can be found in almost all regions of Indonesia such as Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, NTT, Maluku, and Papuan, including Bali. In Java, they usually do not use areca nut but use raw lime, while in Papua and NTT they use dried lime. Betel will be pounded using small dimples.

Betel consumed will produce red saliva and betel nut fibers. The saliva will be stored in a spittoon before finally being discharged after it is full. But eating betel can be as addictive as when smoking, because the betel nuts that are mixed contain psychoactive substances that are similar to nicotine, alcohol, and caffeine.

These activities are believed to maintain healthy teeth and digestive system. Teeth will become stronger because when chewing betel will trigger saliva production. Saliva itself contains many types of proteins that can maintain tooth strength. Saliva can also help bind and soften food so it's easy to get to the intestine.

A simpler way to use betel leaves is to soak the boiled betel leaf and the boiled water will be used to rinse your mouth. While the leaves can be rubbed into the teeth.

Using bricks

In addition to the betel nut tradition, ancient people also used bricks. How to use it is simpler than the betel nut tradition. Only need to smooth bricks which are then rubbed with your fingers to the teeth.

After that, you will definitely have to gargle. Bricks are believed to whiten teeth. Bricks contain fluoride which is also beneficial for teeth as it controls tooth decay.

Use charcoal

Some time ago whitening teeth with charcoal became a trend. Before that the people of ancient times also had used charcoal as toothpaste. Grandfather and grandmother also talked about this.

Charcoal has become an inspiration for toothpaste brands. The brand releases toothpaste containing charcoal.

Use charcoal to whiten teeth 2-3 times. But from dentists the use of activated charcoal continuously can damage the enamel and cause erosion of the teeth. So do not be too often, my friend.

For its use is almost the same as the use of bricks. Charcoal will be mashed and rubbed into the teeth. [NetizenBali.com]

* Original text and photos taken from: www.goodnewsfromindonesia.id