Once again the topic of interest this week is oral health. Good thing, too, with all the sugary treats coming our way with the holiday season quickly approaching.
Like I said in my previous post, prevention is everything, & good oral hygiene is a must. Oil pulling is not meant to replace proper dental care. I am simply using it as a supplemental therapy. I still brush my teeth twice a day, floss before bed, & see my dentist twice a year.
What is Oil Pulling?
Oil pulling is definitely a growing trend, but it is definitely not new either. This type of oral therapy is a type of Ayurvedic (Indian) medicine dating back 3,000 years. Its a very simple technique, only involving swishing oil in your mouth for up to twenty-thirty minutes at a time, & then spitting it out.
Oil pulling is definitely a growing trend, but it is definitely not new either. This type of oral therapy is a type of Ayurvedic (Indian) medicine dating back 3,000 years. Its a very simple technique, only involving swishing oil in your mouth for up to twenty-thirty minutes at a time, & then spitting it out.
While you could use any high quality oil to do this, coconut oil is the oil of choice for oil pulling. Coconut oil has lauric acid in it, which has anti-microbial & anti-fungal properties. Recent studies have also shown coconut oil being used to prevent tooth decay. Coconut oil also contains vitamin E, a natural antioxidant.
Why is it so important to oral health?
Oil pulling helps fight cavities, gingivitis, plaque, & microorganisms that cause bad breath (halitosis). Most cells in our mouth are single in nature. Those single cells are covered in a fatty membrane. When these cells come into contact with oil, a fat, they naturally attract & stick to each other. When you spit out the oil, the bad cells that are bound to it, come out with it.
Other benefits of oil pulling include:
- Whiter teeth
- Stronger teeth
- Stronger gums
- Improved sleep
- Improved sinus issues
- Improved skin conditions (acne, psoriasis, and eczema)
- Can alleviate headaches
- Can reduced jaw pain (excellent for those suffering from TMJ)
- Can reduce hangover symptoms
Instructions:
Oil pulling is best done on an empty stomach. So try oil pulling first thing in the morning.
Get 1 tablespoon of coconut oil & gently swish in your mouth for as long as you can. A minimum of 5 minutes is recommended, & up to 20 minutes.This should not be vigorous or aggressive, as your mouth will get tired. Just gently swish back & forth in your mouth, & gently suck oil between teeth. I have found coconut oil to work best when in liquid form, otherwise it takes some time to melt the oil in your mouth.
As you swish, the oil begins to swell, or grow in mass. This is completely normal & is primarily due to the toxins being drawn out of your body.
Get 1 tablespoon of coconut oil & gently swish in your mouth for as long as you can. A minimum of 5 minutes is recommended, & up to 20 minutes.This should not be vigorous or aggressive, as your mouth will get tired. Just gently swish back & forth in your mouth, & gently suck oil between teeth. I have found coconut oil to work best when in liquid form, otherwise it takes some time to melt the oil in your mouth.
As you swish, the oil begins to swell, or grow in mass. This is completely normal & is primarily due to the toxins being drawn out of your body.
Don't swallow the oil! The harmful bacteria you are trying to remove from your mouth is now inside the oil.
If you feel the need to swallow, you probably have too much oil in your mouth. Spit out & start over with a smaller amount. 1 tablespoon of oil is recommended, but not required to be effective.
When you are done oil pulling, spit the oil into a wastebasket. Spitting the oil down your sink could clog your pipes, as coconut oil does solidify in lower temperatures.
You will notice when you spit the oil out, that it is white and cloudy - that's a good sign!
Good luck on your oil pulling journey!
FDA Disclaimer: "These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease."
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