Oil pulling has been around thousands of years, so why is everyone all of a sudden started oil pulling?
Because it is a natural way to boost your oral hygiene and overall health.
I know because I’ve reaped some amazing benefits for over two years!
This ancient practice is gaining in popularity, but some people still consider it weird to “pull” oil through their teeth!
But here’s something I learned about oil pulling: Once you start oil pulling (no matter how weird you think it is), you continue to oil pull!
That’s because it provides great results for many who add it to their self-care routine.
If you’ve ever wondered about this weird practice, look no further!
Let me inform you about all what it is, the benefits to your health and my own personal results and benefits of oil pulling teeth!
Disclosure: Bear in mind that some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you click on them to make a purchase I will earn a commission. Keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their quality and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you.
What Is Oil Pulling?
While you’ve probably only heard about oil pulling recently in the news, it’s been around a very long time.
In fact, the practice started in India 3,000 to 5,000 years ago!
This Ayurvedic ritual wasn’t just used for better oral care. Instead, it served as a way of balancing energies.
Ayurvedic tradition believes energies (or doshas) become damaged by stress, diet and even weather.
To balance a person’s physical, mental and physiological energies, oil pulling was practiced. It was believed that with unbalanced energies an individual is more susceptible to diseases.
Oil pulling is cited to be responsible for the removal of toxins from the body, in turn curing 30 different diseases.
While the practice has provided many researched and proven health benefits, more research needs to be done in order to believe it cures 30 diseases.
The Benefits
There are many benefits to oil pulling. While some still believe in the idea of balancing energies, it’s mainly practiced to improve oral care health.
Detoxifies The Body
Many germs, toxins and foreign substances enter the body through the mouth by the foods you consume.
This leads to unnecessary inflammation and illness.
Oil pulling gives you the potential to stop potential illness in its tracks before it spreads through the rest of your body.
Therefore, your body is being detoxed every time you oil pull.
Reduces Headaches
Headaches are the body’s way of telling you something is wrong. Usually it means the body is under stress and it needs a break!
Fans report a decrease in the amount of headache they get.
That’s because extra bacteria is being removed via oil pulling.
Clears Skin
Those same toxins causing a host of problems within the body also extend to your skin.
Once those same toxins enter your bloodstream, they cause breakouts, rashes and other skin issues.
Oil pulling has the potential to not only reduce the amount of breakouts, but clear them all together.
I do notice a decrease in the amount of acne flareups. I tend to breakout along my chin area.
This area usually gets cleaned up within a couple days of beginning oil pulling.
Some individuals even boast claims of pulling clearing eczema symptoms. But I did not find any research to back up testimonials I found.
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Increases Oral Health
This is one of the main benefits of this ancient practice. For many people, it’s the determining factor on why they begin oil pulling!
So how exactly does it increase your oral health?
It reduces bad breath by eliminating bacteria buildup in the mouth.
Some studies have found that oil pulling was able to reduce harmful bacteria as well as mouthwash can. Except in a natural way!
On top of reducing bad breath, it kills harmful bacteria, specifically Streptococcus mutant bacteria that aids in tooth decay and gingivitis.
Since about 700 different types of bacteria can live in your mouth, why not destroy them?!
Prevents Future Cavities
Now that you know oil pulling reduces harmful bacteria, it’s no wonder it can prevent cavities.
Often times, cavities are caused by excess sugar consumption or plague buildup.
Since it kills bacteria, it also breaks down plague buildup within your mouth.
Wouldn’t it be nice to never have another cavity again?
Although it’s not scientifically proven, many people boast reports of oil pulling actually “healing” their cavities.
While I never experienced this myself over the two years of oil pulling, I believe it may be possible for some.
Heck, if it could “heal” cavities, I’m willing to stick with it or even up my oil pulling game!
Increased Energy
Your energy levels can be zapped if your immune system is suppressed by toxins.
This causes your immune system to work overtime to get rid of extra toxins in the body.
Removing extra toxins from the body with oil pulling will help you immune system to operate more efficiently.
In turn, your energy levels will increase.
Whitens Teeth
There is much argument around whether it actually whitens teeth.
Some believe it does whiten teeth by removing stains on the surface of your teeth.
I included it in this list of benefits because I personally believe it has whitened my teeth.
While it doesn’t make your teeth sparkle after one use, overtime I can tell a difference. I even put this to the test!
There are been times where I’ve stopped oil pulling for a couples weeks at a time.
Once I started “pulling” again, after a week a notice my teeth were about a shade whiter.
If you don’t believe me, then just try oil pulling yourself!
Balances Hormones
Due to stress and foreign substances, hormones can become unbalanced.
By pulling with coconut oil, foreign substances and toxins can be removed from the body through the mouth to promote hormone balance.
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Decreases Inflammation
If you use coconut oil for “pulling” it contains anti-inflammatory properties.
These anti-inflammatory properties help reduce red and swollen gums that cause bleeding.
Swollen and bleeding gums can also lead to gingivitis down the road.
To lower the amount of harmful bacteria and the buildup of plague that leads to inflammation, it can be an excellent remedy!
In a research study with a group of 60 people with gingivitis, they oil pulled with coconut oil for 30 days.
After only a week, their plague buildup had decreased and their overall gum health improved!
While it can lower gum inflammation, it is also believed to help decrease other conditions caused by inflammation.
However, there is not enough scientific research to support this theory.
But it’s worth a try if you suffer from an inflammation condition!
How To Oil Pull
There are four different types of oil to use:
Coconut oil is the preferred oil to use because of its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
I only use cold-pressed organic coconut oil. However, if you don’t like the coconut taste you can also use sesame seed or sunflower oil.
Steps To Oil Pull:
- Take one tablespoon of oil and put in your mouth.
- Swish around your mouth for 15 to 20 minutes taking extra care to make sure the oil is “pulled” through each tooth.
- Spit out the oil in a trash can. Do not swallow and do not spit into a sink (the oil will clog up drains overtime).
- Rinse your mouth well with water or a salt water mix.
Pulling is normally done in the morning before eating or brushing your teeth. But honestly, it can be done anytime of day.
I typically do it morning and night, then brush my teeth after rinsing from pulling.
Final Thoughts About Oil Pulling
While oil pulling provides many amazing benefits to your teeth, gums and mouth, it is not a replacement for regular brushing and flossing.
The first time you oil pull, it will seem weird. But after awhile you will begin to notice benefits of oil pulling teeth to this unusual practice.
Overtime, you’ll get use to it and I’m betting you will love it just like I do!
The benefits I’ve listed above are typical benefits many people get from oil pulling.
However, many other people make claims about more benefits that are exactly backed by science.
Although the science might not be there, I believe it provides many benefits that just haven’t been researched yet.
If you haven’t tried oil pulling, what have you got to lose? Give it a try today to start seeing the benefits of oil pulling teeth!
Works Cited
Coconut oil pull benefits and how-to guide
Benefits of oil pull with coconut oil
Oil pulling: Benefits and side effects