Improve Immunity
Oil pulling has traditionally been touted as a majorly effective detoxifying technique and immune booster.
By swishing oil in your mouth for several minutes, you’re cleansing between the teeth, underneath the gums, along the tongue and on the surface of the teeth – pulling bacteria away. When you spit out the oil, you’re removing these microbes from your body.
Boost Energy Levels
When we’re feeling sluggish it can sometimes be down to an overworked immune system. By boosting immunity, the body can direct its energy elsewhere.
Regular oil pullers say you should have some added pep in your step in just two weeks!
Get Smooth & Glowing Skin
How can oil pulling heal skin?
It’s a good question – there doesn’t appear to be much of a link between the two.
Cure Bad Breath
One of the most science-backed health benefits of oil pulling is its ability to improve oral hygiene, including bad breath, or halitosis – which is often caused by bacteria.
Reduce Tooth Decay
A study that reviewed holistic approaches to oral health discovered that oil pulling is one of the most effective natural solutions for preventing tooth decay and loss.
Prevent Gingivitis
Gingivitis is a common and mild form of gum disease that causes irritation, redness and inflammation of the gums.
After just seven days of using the coconut oil, researchers found that both plaque and gingivitis symptoms decreased significantly, and they continued to decrease for the remainder of the month.
Say Goodbye to Sensitivity
Sensitive teeth can also be linked with mouthwash use – something which you can ditch once you begin oil pulling.
Whiten Teeth
Because poor dental hygiene and inadequate brushing and flossing to remove plaque cancause tooth discoloration, oil pulling may whiten up your choppers again.
A Safer Alternative to Mouthwash
Once you start oil pulling, you can say goodbye to store-bought mouthwashes.
While these products can help prevent cavities, gum disease and canker sores, a possible link exists between alcohol-containing mouthwashes and oral cancer.
Help Your Heart
Strangely enough, good oral hygiene has been linked with a healthier heart!
A growing body of research shows that bacteria and inflammation in the mouth are linked to problems like heart attack and dementia.
Why Use Coconut Oil?
You may have noticed from the studies above that sesame oil was the oil of choice and the one that is traditionally in Ayurvedic medicine.
While sesame may work in the same way as coconut oil (by mechanically pulling microbes from the mouth) coconut oil has a number of advantages over sesame:
- Coconut is lower in inflammatory omega 6 fatty acids than sesame oil.
- Coconut oil has antibacterial and antiviral properties meaning it can kill the microbes in your mouth.
- Coconut oil has been shown to destroy Candida, the yeast which causes oral thrush.
- Coconut oil has a much better flavor than sesame, especially first thing in the morning!
A Beginners Guide to Oil Pulling
Oil pulling is incredibly simple – it just requires some of your time. Here’s how you do it:
- Take a spoonful of coconut oil (extra virgin organic) and allow it to liquefy in your mouth.
- Begin swishing it around – pushing, pulling and drawing it through your teeth and around your tongue.
- The goal is to do this for twenty minutes most mornings a week – preferably before breakfast. But start with just five minutes – it can cause a bit of jaw pain until you’ve exercised the muscles adequately! There’s no need for vigorous swishing either – a gentle pace is all that’s needed.
- When you’re done, spit the oil in the bin (not the sink as it can clog). It should be a thin consistency and milky white. Whatever you do, don’t swallow the oil – it’s full of nasty bacteria and food particles.
- Make sure to rinse your mouth with water or a mix of water and Baking soda, or water and Himalayan pink salt
- Finally, brush your teeth as normal.
Once you’ve tried oil pulling for a few weeks, and experienced some of its great benefits, you’re sure to be hooked on the habit!
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