What Is Oil Pulling For Your Mouth?

What Is Oil Pulling For Your Mouth? : Oil pulling is an ancient Indian ayurvedic practice that purifies the body by pulling out toxins through the gums and mouth using oil as a medium. The tradition has grown increasingly popular for its tremendous oral benefits, so much so that health practitioners and dental health enthusiasts are vouching for it.

So, what is oil pulling for the mouth? We explore the subject through five commonly asked questions on oil pulling to give you insight. Read on for the scoop.

How does oil pulling work?

Let’s break it down for you. When oil pulling, you’ll measure at least a tablespoon of oil, swish it around your mouth for 15-20 minutes and then spit it out. During this time, the lipid membrane of these problem-causing bacteria will be attached to the lipid structure of the oil by swishing, and when it’s finally time to spit, the microbiomes will be flushed out through the spit. Interesting, right? Fundamentally, what the oil-pulling tradition will do for you is detach the harmful bacteria from the soft tissue in your mouth cavity, and all you have to do is swish and spit for a cleaner, healthier mouth.

What are the benefits of oil pulling

Oil pulling is an immensely beneficial practice. According to science, our mouths host over 700 types of bacteria. While some of these microbiomes are harmless, a number of them are notorious for triggering most of the common dental problems today, from dental cavities to halitosis and gingivitis. That said, oil-pulling therapy works to rid your mouth cavity of these protozoa, steering you clear of their concurrent side effects: tooth cavities, bad breath, inflamed gums, and plaque.

Which are the best oils for oil pulling?

One of the most favored oils for oil pulling is coconut oil. Coconut oil exhibits remarkable antimicrobial properties thanks to its high concentration in lauric acid; the acid essentially attacks the bacteria in our oral cavity warding off common dental problems like plaque, bad breath and tooth decay. Another popular mention in this category would be sesame and sunflower oil; these extracts are ideal for stronger jaws, healthier gums, and oral odour elimination. Is that all? Not quite; we saved the best for last. Combined Ayurveda pulling oils containing a blend of natural oils and plant essence are the overall best oils for oil pulling; these oils do everything from cleansing to detoxifying and soothing your existing dental problems.

Are there any recommendations for the practice?

First, practitioners strongly advise avoiding excessively rigorous motions when swishing; this could cause your jaw to grow sore and potentially give you a headache. Second, swallowing the oils after swishing could brew severe stomach upsets and, in the worst case scenario, cause diarrhea; that said, it is strongly recommended that you spit out the oils after oil pulling. Lastly, carry out a patch test before getting started to rule out the possibilities of allergies and intolerance to the oils.

Conclusion

While there’s still plenty of room for research, oil pulling is undoubtedly beneficial. The ayurvedic tradition offers numerous benefits and significantly improves its users’ oral health. Along with that is the ease of the course; using simple household supplies from your kitchen cabinet and 15 minutes out of your morning routine, you can quickly achieve healthier teeth and gums, fresh breath and balanced oral microbiomes thanks to oil pulling. So is the practice worth adopting into your oral hygiene routine? Yes, oil pulling definitely is worth a try, although we must point out that oil pulling is a complementary oral health measure. Don’t skip your regular oral hygiene routine-brush twice a day, floss daily, visit your dentist regularly and schedule a comprehensive dental cleaning at least twice a year for the best results.