Health benefits of oil pulling

If you're not already familiar with the practice, oil pulling is a method of oral hygiene that dates back hundreds of years. It's based on the idea that placing oil in your mouth can help cleanse your teeth and gums. The oils used for this purpose are typically sesame, sunflower or coconut oils - but other types work too! In this article we'll discuss some of the ways in which oil pulling might benefit your oral health, including preventing cavities, protecting against plaque build up, reducing gingivitis risk and improving breath odour.

How oil pulling works

Over the years, oil pulling has become a popular trend in the detox world, as it was thought to literally ‘pull’ toxins from the body, which you then spit out. After much internet scouring, I have come to this conclusion: Oil pulling is great for oral health and to significantly reduce the risk of dental carries and reduce gingivitis. It is not a method of detoxifying your cells, although improving your oral health has significant benefit to all body systems due to the presence of bacteria and how this balance can influence the development of chronic disease. Oil pulling can assist with clearer skin, because it puts the brakes on the growth of toxic bacteria in your mouth that would otherwise travel down into your body where it contributes to your toxic load that can show up on your skin.

How does oil pulling improve your health?

By removing bacteria that is lodged in places where your toothbrush can’t reach, you are improving the micro-biome (the balance of beneficial bacteria). Much like how your digestive tract has an ecosystem of beneficial bacteria, so to does your mouth. If your mouth is over grown with pathogenic bacteria, this can lay the foundation for an unbalanced gut micro-flora. Oil pulling is more effective than mouth wash at removing bad bacteria, due to the nature of oil being able to seep into nooks and crannies, and the lengthy time, being able to more effectively remove plaque. Don’t forgot also, common mouth wash is far too harsh and kills of all of your good bacteria along with the bad, which is definitely not what you want (the same way you feel an upset tummy after using antibiotics). The digestive tract starts in the mouth, and your health starts with your gut. Hence, health really starts in the mouth! Want some evidence? You can read this study 'Effect of coconut oil in plaque related gingivitis — A preliminary report'

The importance of oral health shouldn't be discounted. While teeth and gums may play a small part in keeping the body healthy, they have far reaching effects that can impact your overall well being.

Oral health is also linked to diabetes. People with diabetes have an increased risk for periodontal (gum) disease because their blood sugar levels are higher than normal, causing poor circulation in their mouths - which means poor dental hygiene habits can lead to serious problems later on down the road!

Oil pulling can help prevent cavities

Oil pulling is a traditional Ayurvedic practice that's been used for thousands of years as a natural way to clean teeth and gums. It involves swishing oil around in your mouth. The oil traps bacteria, dead cells, and other debris from your teeth while also whitening them. It's believed that oil pulling can help prevent cavities by clearing away the plaque build up on your teeth that leads to decay.

Oil pulling can reduce plaque build up

Oil pulling can also help with plaque build up and gingivitis. The bacteria in the mouth that cause plaque are killed off by the oil, which helps to reduce gum disease and bad breath. It may even be beneficial for people with dry mouth or Sjögren's syndrome (an autoimmune disorder that causes dryness throughout the body).

Oil pulling might protect against gingivitis

If you suffer from gingivitis, oil pulling may help. The practice of swishing oil in your mouth is known to reduce inflammation and bacteria levels. This can benefit individuals with gum disease, as inflammation caused by the condition can lead to tooth loss. Oil pulling might also be used as part of a treatment plan for those who are suffering from gingivitis. In addition to using this technique on its own, some people choose to combine it with other treatments such as flossing or brushing their teeth regularly at least twice per day for two minutes each time (to remove food particles that may cause plaque build up).

Oil pulling might help with bad breath

Oil pulling is a great way to clean your mouth naturally. By pulling the oil through your teeth and gums, you are removing bacteria and toxins from the mouth. Oil pulling also helps with dry mouth by increasing saliva production, which can improve bad breath in some cases.

I addition to using oil pulling, you can use a tongue cleaner, which is the best way to remove bacteria that cause bad breath.

Oil pulling might help prevent dry mouth

Oil pulling can help fight dry mouth. The viscous pulling action of the oil on your teeth and gums helps to keep your saliva flowing, which is especially important if you're suffering from dry mouth or have trouble producing enough saliva.

When you suffer from dry mouth, it can lead to a number of uncomfortable symptoms including bad breath and tooth decay. Oil pulling provides relief by promoting a healthier balance of bacteria in your mouth that are naturally good for our oral health. This helps prevent dryness in the long term by keeping our mouths lubricated with the right levels of moisture needed to protect against decay or inflammation.

Oil pulling for receding gums

Oil pulling is also a great way to treat receding gums, which occurs when there's not enough connective tissue holding the teeth in place. It can be caused by tooth grinding, gum disease, or poor oral hygiene.

You'll notice a difference in how your teeth feel after just a few days. Your gums will become less sensitive and more resilient, which means they'll be able to withstand biting pressure better than before!

If you are, however, looking for a product specifically for gum disease, including receding gums Dr Tung's REJUV For Gums is one of the most powerful nourishing formulas for gums. It contains 24 plants and herbs used for healing and strengthening the gums. It is also recommended for a whole range of oral conditions from receding gums, oral pain, swollen gums, swelling of gums and bleeding gums, to dry mouth.

Effects of oil pulling on teeth

Oil pulling can help keep your teeth healthy by preventing tooth decay, cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. It also helps whiten your teeth naturally by removing stains and plaque.

The best types of oil to use are coconut or olive oil, but you can also use sesame seed oil or sunflower seed oil if those aren't available. Just put one tablespoon of it into your mouth before going to sleep at night. Swish it around for 10-15 minutes (don't swallow) until all of it has dissolved in your saliva - it'll be frothy, which means it's working! Then spit out the saliva into a bowl and rinse with warm water before brushing your teeth as usual in the morning.

Can oil pulling remove tartar?

Yes, oil pulling removes tartar.

Tartar, or plaque, is a hard substance that forms on the teeth. It's caused by leftover food particles and bacteria combining in your mouth. The more tartar you have, the more likely it is that you'll develop gum disease and tooth decay. By oil pulling daily, you can remove plaque from your teeth more quickly than brushing alone can.

Can oil pulling whitening teeth?

Oil pulling won't whiten tooth enamel, but it will remove plaque build up, resulting in whiter, brighter looking teeth. 

The oil also serves to clean the surface of your teeth, removing plaque and other contaminants that can cause discoloration over time.

If you are looking to whiten teeth naturally, there are a number of different products that you can use at home. Why not check out our natural teeth whitening article for product recommendations.

Oil pulling benefits for skin

Oil pulling is a natural, non invasive way to cleanse your skin and give it a healthy glow. It helps remove impurities from the face and body by pulling toxins out through the mouth. This practice has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine, and it's gaining popularity in the Western world as well.

Oil pulling will help with dryness, inflammation, and acne by improving blood circulation and detoxifying your pores. If you're looking for a natural treatment for acne or dry skin, this could be exactly what you need!

How to do it?

Oil pulling is best done first thing in the morning, upon rising and before eating or drinking anything. Swill 1 tablespoon of oil in the mouth for 20 minutes. This amount of time is enough to let the oil sink into the places where brushing and flossing cannot reach, and remove undesirable bacteria that can lead to ill health and bad breath. The easiest way to do this is to put the oil into your mouth as soon as you get up, then jump in the shower and continue to swill while you get dressed. This is usually about 20 minuets (depending on your morning routine). Once you have swished the oil around, making sure to pull it through the teeth and around the cheeks, spit it out into the toilet bowl (oil down the sink can clog the drains), then brush your teeth (no need for paste) and scrap your tongue to remove the coating. 

Which oil pulling is best?

The best oil to use is coconut oil, due to its amazing antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, however you can also use sesame and sunflower oil if that’s what you happen to have in the house. We also love Dr Tung's Ayurvedic Oil Pulling Concentrate, formulated with 24 plants and herbs.

If you are time poor and prefer to do your oil pulling on the go, we suggest you try Keeko Morning Mint Oil Pulling Sachets, which will last you for 14 days. Individually wrapped, these sachets are great for travelling or using them on the go.

Should you do oil pulling before or after brushing

I'm a big fan of oil pulling, and I've found that it's best to do it after brushing. I don't want to get the oil onto the brush, or else it'll be hard to clean the brush later.

In any case, you should read the product usage guide, as each product will have it’s own recommendation in terms of when to do oil pulling. Some formulators recommend that it be used before brushing while others state that it's better after brushing. It will also depend on your personal preference and whether you like the taste of oil in your mouth before brushing your teeth.

Final thoughts

We hope that you’re convinced of the value of oral care, and that you will consider oil pulling as a means to improve your overall health. As long as you keep up this habit through life, we guarantee that oil pulling will be something you never regret doing!