rankly, “oil pulling” was something I resisted for quite a while. I simply didn’t understand how swishing a bunch of fat around in my mouth could help with oral hygiene!
Still skeptical yourself? Read through this post and lets see if you become a believer…or at least willing to give it a try.
What is Oil Pulling?
The term “oil pulling” is a bit misleading, you’re actually swishing, but I’ve read that the “pulling” refers to the act of pulling the oil through the teeth, as well as pulling toxins and bacteria out of the gums/mouth.
What Oil Do I Use?
Traditionally, coconut oil or sesame oil are used for their anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties. Ghee (butter oil), olive oil or sunflower oil can also be used, but I have not tried these myself. Research shows that coconut oil is superior when it comes to removing toxins and plaque, and even helping prevent and heal cavities.
If using coconut oil, there are benefits of choosing an unrefined coconut oil (as opposed to refined, which is heated during processing). Unrefined coconut oil is raw and contains additional co-factors and micro-nutrients not present in the refined product.
Studies show that coconut oil prevents Streptococcus mutans which are a major cause of tooth decay as they bind to and damage tooth enamel.
How Do I Oil Pull?
Grab 2-3 teaspoons of your oil of choice, add a few drops of essential oils if you’d like (I like to use Germ Fighter or Peppermint from Plant Therapy), put it in your mouth and begin swishing all around (you may need to chew your coconut oil if it is solid, or just wait about 30 seconds for it to melt).
Ideally you want to swish your oil for 15-20 minutes as plaque can take that long to soften and lift away from the tooth. During this time you may notice saliva building up with the oil. If you need to spit a little out, this is OK (and next time try starting with a smaller amount), but be sure to spit it into the trash and not your sink! Oil can wreak havoc on your pipes or septic system and is best kept out of drains.
While you’re swishing, try not to swallow any oil as it is likely swimming with icky bacteria…not something you want to be consuming!
I also heard if you swish for more than 20 minutes your body can begin to re-absorb some of the toxins in your mouth, so, to be on the safe side, keep it between 15 and 20 minutes!
Remember that even 5 minutes can help reduce bacteria and improve oral hygiene! Sometimes starting small and seeing improvements can spur us on to keep at our new healthy habits!
Other Benefits of Oil Pulling
Regular oil pulling (up to 3 times daily, before meals) is said to cure about 30 systemic diseases, a few of which are headaches/migraines, diabetes and asthma. Traditional Indian folk remedy has used oil pulling for many years to prevent tooth decay, bad breath, bleeding gums, dryness of throat, cracked lips and for strengthening teeth, gums and the jaw. As if these weren’t reason enough, frequent oil pulling is also a natural tooth whitener. (Source)
Because I know oil pulling is so beneficial (and because I’m constantly battling my “I’ll-do-it-tomorrow-itis”), I keep a small jar of coconut oil, a bottle of Germ Fighter and a spoon in my bathroom so I can oil pull at night once everyone has gone to bed.
Having everything handy sets me up for success! My goal is to oil pull daily, but realistically I’m happy if I do it once or twice a week. We’re looking for progress, not perfection!
- Our family chooses to use Plant Therapy for their high quality, pure, therapeutic grade essential oils offered at affordable prices. For $10 off your first order, click through our Plant Therapy link in the sidebar and use promo code: signup10. This is an affiliate link, which means you get to enjoy the same great low prices for quality oils, and we’ll get a little kick-back to help keep food in the fridge…thanks! As always, Plant Therapy offers free-shipping and returns on all orders (no minimum purchase required).
Just saw this on Dr Oz last week. Interesting.
How long have you been doing this? I tried oil pulling for probably a month straight a few years ago. I do kinda think my mouth felt more clean, but I haven’t done it since. At the same time I stopped using commercial toothpaste and did a baking soda / activated charcoal mix. I agree – great to do when nobody else is awake hahahaha! Seems we’re interested in very much the same stuff!
I’ve been oil pulling for over a year, but definitely not consistently. I notice benefits immediately, especially if it’s been a while. We also use a homemade clay toothpaste, and I whiten my teeth naturally using activated charcoal! I agree, so many great remedies without all the junky chemicals! Like-minds!
You forgot to mention it also helps with natural whitening!
Yes I did! Good catch Mia! I’ll make that edit now! THANKS! 🙂
I do this right before hopping in the shower! Shower done, oil pulling done! Multi-tasking!
Fantastic idea! I was oil pulling last night while the Hubs was still awake…hard to have a conversation with a mouth full of oil! Oops!