What Is Oil Pulling?
Oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic practice where you swish oil in your mouth for a period of time before spitting it out. Oil pulling has been found to be beneficial for reducing the bad bacteria in the mouth and reducing inflammation of the gums. Oil pulling has also been found to help reduce bad breath (halitosis) and cavities.
Health Benefits Of Oil Pulling.
Some types of oil such as Coconut oil have anti-inflammatory properties which can help with gingivitis and sore gums.
There are 100’s of types of bacteria in your mouth, some good and some bad. Bad mouth bacteria can cause tooth decay, bad breath and gum disease.
The most common types of oil to use for oil pulling are coconut oil , Olive oil or Sesame oil. Studies have shown that oil pulling daily for 15 minutes can reduce the number of harmful bacteria in the mouth. It’s best to start with a couple of minutes and build up the time you can tolerate the oil in your mouth for whilst swishing.
There are many reasons for bad breath, but mouth hygiene is the major one. Brushing and flossing daily and tongue scraping all help keep your teeth and mouth healthy, as well as oil pulling on a regular basis. Also, making sure you don’t miss your twice a year teeth cleaning! Try and find a holistic dentist in your area if possible.
Tooth decay happens from a high sugar diet, poor oral hygiene and build up of plaque and bad bacteria. Plaque coats the teeth and is made up of bacteria which break down the food particles and produces an acidic environment. This acid can damage the enamel of the teeth leading to decay. Oil pulling can help reduce the bad bacteria and reduce the acidity of the mouth.
Inflammation of the gums or Gingivitis causes redness, swelling and bleeding of the gums. Oil pulling can help reduce the inflammation of the gums and mouth leading to better oral health.
How Do You Oil Pull?
- Use one tablespoon of oil such as coconut, olive or sesame and add to your mouth.
- Swish the oil around your mouth for at least 2 minutes and build up to 15- 20 minutes if you can manage it. DO NOT swallow the oil.
- Spit the oil out into the bin or a tissue and put in the bin. Spitting into the sink can cause a blockage in the sink if done often depending on the type of oil used.
- Rinse the mouth out with clean water.
Repeat these steps a few times a week or each time you brush your teeth. For best results do your oil pulling first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.
Where To Buy Your Oil For Pulling?
Here are my recommended oils to buy for oil pulling:
- Banyan Botanicals Daily Swish – is a combination of sesame and coconut oils infused with Ayurvedic herbs traditionally used to support healthy teeth and gums. The herbal oil is flavored with a refreshing blend of peppermint and spearmint essential oils that leave your mouth feeling sparkling clean.
- Dale Audrey® Ayurvedic Pulling Rinse – is a modernized version of Oil Pulling, It is truly the most cleansing oral rinse that exists today. This formula includes using Neem, Myrrh and Clove bud oil, with vitamins and herbs will leave your breath, teeth and gums invigorated for hours. Chemical Free, No artificial colors, sweeteners or flavors, Non GMO, Gluten Free, Alcohol Free, Vegan, Never any animal testing. Ingredients: Organic Sesame Oil, Sunflower Oil, Olive Oil, Clove Bud OIl, Organic Neem Seed Oil, Organic Flavors, Myrrh Oil, Organic Oregano Oil, Organic Pomegranate Extract.
- Terra & Co.
Gentle Green Oil Pulling + Hydroxyapatite
– supercharged with nano-Hydroxyapatite, a prebiotic, and antioxidants, to strengthen tooth enamel, repair sensitive teeth and improve overal gum health. Contains caprylic/capric triglyceride, cannabis sativa seed oil, mentha piperita (peppermint) oil, camellia sinensis leaf oil, tocopherol, cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, melia azadirachta seed oil, polyglyceryl-4 caprate, moringa oleifera seed oil, acacia senegal gum, hydroxyapatite (nano), water.
Resources:
Listen to this great podcast episode: The Surprising Impact Of Oral Health On Whole Body Wellness With Biological Dentist Dr. Dominik.