What is Oil Pulling and Does it Work?
Oil pulling involves swishing oil around the mouth and has been used for thousands of years as a folk remedy in India. Oil Pulling was first introduced to the United States in the early 1990s by a medical Doctor named Dr. F. Karach, who used it with success in his medical practice. In order to oil pull, you put a tablespoon of oil in your mouth, then swish it around for 10-20 minutes. The main benefit of doing this, is that it reduces the amount of harmful bacteria in the mouth.
The basic idea is that oil is swished in the mouth for a short time each day and that this action helps improve oral health. Just as with Oil Cleansing for the skin, the principle of “like dissolves like” applies as oil is able to cut through plaque and remove toxins without disturbing the teeth or gums. The bacteria in the mouth create a “biofilm” on the teeth – a thin layer that they use to adhere to the surface. This is what we know as “plaque.”
Having some plaque on your teeth is normal, but if it gets out of hand it can cause all sorts of problems, including bad breath, yellow teeth, gum inflammation, gingivitis and cavities. Other benefits from oil pulling include help with skin conditions, arthritis, asthma, headaches, hormone imbalances, infections, liver problems and more.
Having good oral health is very important and several experts explain how bacteria and infection can enter the blood stream through the mouth and infect other parts of your body. So addressing these infections could have an impact on other parts of the body.
Oil Pulling Can Reduce Bad Breath
Bad breath, otherwise known as halitosis, is in many cases (not all) caused by the smell of chemicals and gases produced by bacteria in the mouth. Oil pulling also helps with gingivitis, dry throat, gum bleeding and reducing harmful bacteria in the mouth.
How To Oil Pull
Traditionally, the Indians used other oils such as (sesame oil) or (sunflower oil). Oil pulling should work with pretty much any oil you choose, but I prefer coconut oil because of its many health benefits and taste!
The Lauric Acid (one of the fatty acids in coconut oil) is also proven to be antimicrobial it can kill bacteria, viruses and fungi. The taste of coconut oil is also fairly pleasant compared to other oils. I found it rather disgusting at first having my mouth full of oil, but I got used to it after a few days. Oil pulling is best done in the morning, before eating or drinking anything.
Here’s how to do it:
1. Put about a tablespoon of oil in your mouth.
I prefer to use 1 1/2 teaspoons of organic coconut oil. I scoop it out as a solid and let it melt in my mouth before swishing. If you use coconut oil, then you may have to chew on the oil for a minute or so to let it melt, because it is solid at room temperature.
2. Swish the oil around your mouth for about 10-20 minutes.
Make sure you swish long enough to break through plaque and bacteria but not long enough that the body starts re-absorbing the toxins and bacteria. The oil will get thicker and milky as it mixed with saliva during this time and it should be creamy-white when spit out.
3. Spit out the oil
Don’t spit into the sink! Do not swallow the oil as it is full of bacteria and toxins that are now not in the mouth! Spit it into a trash can the oil can clog up your sink!
4. Rinse and Brush.
Swish a few times with lukewarm water to get any remaining oil out of my mouth. Brush your teeth as you would normally.
So does it work?
From Personal experience I would have to say "YES." I have seen a difference in my teeth in the last 2 months of oil pulling. I’ve definitely noticed that my breath is fresher and my teeth look whiter and more shiny. Oil Pulling would definitely help someone with dental problems i.e. plaque, gingivitis and bacteria.
The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with questions you may have regarding medical conditions or Oil Pulling.
