Oil pulling is the process of swishing about 1 tablespoon of oil around your mouth for about 20 minutes, and then spitting it out. Though it may sound strange, this ancient practice is a growing trend. Believe it or not, that article you saw floating around the internet or your hippie pal from yoga class may actually be onto something.
A traditional Indian system of healing from 3000 years ago called Ayurvedic Medicine first advocated for oil pulling, but recently, scientists have found that this health practice works against gingivitis, plaque, and microorganisms that cause bad breath. Basically, the lipids, or fatty outer membranes, of a bad cell’s skin adhere to fatty oils during oil pulling and can then be removed from your mouth. It can also help whiten teeth or clear up tongue discoloration caused by bad oral hygiene. This is one of those things that is simultaneously cool and gross, like popping a pimple or removing blackheads.
The most studied and commonly used oils include:
- Coconut
- Sesame
- Sunflower
Quick Tips and Tricks
- Experiment with different Oils! Although a variety of oils can be used for oil pulling — each with their own benefits — coconut oil is easily accessible, and its lauric acid content makes its antimicrobial properties more potent than other alternatives.
- Work your way up! Start with 5 minutes a day and build up from there. To build up your jaw muscles and make this a habit, start slow. Work your way up to 20 minutes.
- Do not swallow! Swallowing will take all of the gunk you extracted and cycle it through your body. Instead, spit it out. Discard it in the trash instead of in your sink to avoid clogged pipes.
- Brush and floss! Oil pulling is not an oral health do-all. Think of it as a supplemental step. Keep up with your regular dental visits and your solid oral hygiene routine.
Now that you know some basics about oil pulling, let’s delve into the benefits.
- Reduce Harmful Bacteria
Let’s face it: Mouths are not the cleanest body part, even if you follow the best oral hygiene practices. This is partly because of eptoccoccus mutans, one of the main bacteria in your mouth that causes things such as plaque build up and tooth decay. If these bacteria are not kept in line, you may require serious dental SOS. Research has also shown that oil pulling for as little as 10 minutes a day significantly reduces the number of S. mutans and other bacteria in your saliva. How much bacteria? The same amount as a standard chlorhexidine mouthwash. If you have dry mouth or are sensitive to alcohols in most mouthwashes, oil pulling can be a great substitute for you. The difference can happen in as little as 2 weeks, just enough time to build a healthy, sustainable habit. And if you want professional help, consider dental solutions at boynton beach.
- Reduce Bad Breath
Bad breath—known as halitosis to your dentist—impacts about 50% of the population. Common causes are:
- Infection
- Gum disease
- Poor oral hygiene
- Tongue coating (bacteria trapped on your tongue)
Typically, bad breath is treated by removing bacteria by using an antiseptic mouthwash like chlorhexidine. Oil pulling is shown to be an equally good alternative at ejecting bacteria.
- Reduce Plaque and Gingivitis
Gingivitis is that scary word plastered all over your dentist’s walls. Basically, it is the inflammation of your gums. It occurs when your immune system starts attacking bacteria in the plaque.
Similar to how studies have shown standard chlorhexidine mouthwash and oil pulling to be equally effective at reducing oral bacteria and improving bad breath, studies have found oil pulling to be as effective as the standard mouthwash at combating gingivitis. Some may see natural remedies as being lightweight attempts at solving medical concerns, but these results pack clinical results. Specifically, these studies have used sesame and coconut oils in their trials.
Other Possible Benefits
Although more research is needed to fully examine the benefits of oil pulling and expand sample sizes, the three benefits listed above are a promising start. Will you give oil pulling a try? If you do, consider some other benefits. These ones have not been corroborated with science yet, but devoted oil pullers and traditional medicine practitioners swear by them. These potential advantages include:
- Whitened teeth
- Improved digestion
- Reduced cellulite
- Decreased wrinkles and age spots
- Balanced blood sugar
- Improved energy
- Moisturized skin
- Increased HDL and decreased LDL cholesterols
- Fat loss
Oil pulling sounds like a miracle worker, right? Give it a try for yourself and share your thoughts. It looks like oil pulling definitely will not hurt as part of your healthy living routine.
Side Effects of Oil Pulling
Despite the great benefits of oil pulling, there are side effects that you should be aware of and keep tabs on while trying out this technique.
- Lipoid Pneumonia
- Upset stomach
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Jaw stiffness
Most of those potential side effects are self-explanatory and easy for you to monitor. The most dangerous one to look out for is Lipoid Pneumonia. If you do not know the correct method for oil pulling, you may inhale the oil. Because this oil is loaded with bacteria and toxins—pretty harmful stuff—when it enters the lungs, it may cause pneumonia. So make sure you do it correctly, and stay alert for any signals your body is giving you.
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