What is Oil Pulling?
Oil pulling might be the latest wellness trend to hit the market, but its practice has actually been around for centuries. It is a traditional Indian holistic healing treatment that involves swishing oil in the mouth for up to 20 minutes for oral health and overall wellbeing.
Oil pulling works to promote healthier teeth and gums and boost the immune system by neutralising bacteria, viruses and fungi in the mouth, as well as stimulating saliva production which cleanses the entire mouth.
The theory behind oil pulling is that the oil adheres to bacterial toxins in the mouth, blocking their effects and allowing the body’s natural detoxification processes to take over.
Benefits of Oil Pulling
Oil pulling has many health benefits, including:
• Reducing bacteria and plaque in the mouth – One of the most important benefits of oil pulling is its ability to reduce the amount of bacteria and plaque in the mouth, which can contribute to bad breath, tooth decay and gum disease.
• Improved oral hygiene – Oil pulling can help to improve your oral hygiene by removing bacteria that can cause plaque, increasing saliva production and whitening teeth.
• Cleaner teeth – Oil pulling can help to make teeth look healthy due to its ability to remove bacteria and plaque from the teeth.
• Fresher breath – Oil pulling can also help to eradicate bad breath by removing bacteria in the mouth.
Types of Oils Used for Oil Pulling
The most common types of oils used for oil pulling are:
• Coconut oil – Coconut oil has many antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties, making it an ideal choice for oil pulling. It is also high in lauric acid, which has been found to help reduce the bacteria in the mouth.
• Sesame oil – Sesame oil has been found to be effective at removing bacteria from the mouth and reducing plaque. It is also rich in vitamins and minerals, making it another great choice for oil pulling.
• Sunflower oil – Sunflower oil is rich in antioxidants and can help to fight off bacteria in the mouth. It is also high in vitamin E, which can help to protect the teeth from damage.
How to Do Oil Pulling
Oil pulling is an easy and straightforward process. All you have to do is:
• Choose your oil – Choose the oil you would like to use for oil pulling.
• Swish the oil – Put one tablespoon of oil in your mouth and swish it around for 15-20 minutes.
• Spit out the oil – Once you’re done, spit out the oil into a tissue or the trash.
• Rinse your mouth – Rinse your mouth with warm water to remove any remaining oil.
• Brush your teeth – Brush your teeth as normal.
Oil pulling should be done every day for optimal results. If you find it difficult to swish oil around your mouth for that long, you can start with 5-10 minutes and gradually increase the time as you become more comfortable.
Conclusion
Oil pulling is an ancient practice that has recently gained popularity in the health and wellness community due to its many benefits. It has been found to reduce bacteria and plaque in the mouth, improve oral hygiene, clean teeth and freshen breath. The most common types of oils used for oil pulling are coconut, sesame and sunflower oils. If you’re interested in trying oil pulling for yourself, make sure you follow the correct steps and do it every day for the best results.