Oil Pulling | Process | Benefits | FAQs
Oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic practice. Also known as 'Gandusha Kriya', this remedy protects against major oral ailments and improves overall well-being.
What is Oil Pulling?
Oil pulling is nothing but a detox process against all the toxins accumulated the night before in your mouth. It involves swishing oil around the mouth like a mouthwash.
Based on the concept that oil attracts oil and gets easily dissolved into it. As the microorganisms in our body are covered in lipids (fats), swishing oil attaches all the microorganisms with itself and dissolves them in the liquid oil. Well, when you spit it out, your mouth is free from hundreds of bacteria.
Which is the best oil for oil pulling?
Pure coconut oil (virgin or cold pressed) is a popular choice for oil pulling because of its pleasant taste.
For oil pulling, coconut oil is recommended because it has fatty lipids containing a high amount of lauric acid, which has anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties that protect against cavities, excess plaque, and gingivitis.
Process of Oil Pulling Coconut Oil
Oil pulling is super easy, involving only 4 steps.
- Take one tablespoon of coconut oil.
- Swish it around your mouth for at least 15-20 minutes. If it makes your jaw sore or your cheek muscles ache, start doing it for 5 minutes and work your way up to 15-20 minutes.
- Spit it into a tissue paper or trash can once you are done. Make sure not to spit in the sink or toilet, as oil can build up clogging.
- Rinse it off with water and brush your mouth to remove the remaining oil.
It is recommended to do this empty stomach for the best results.
Coconut Oil Pulling Benefits for Oral Health
Some of the science-backed benefits and uses of oil pulling are:
Kills harmful bacteria
There are almost 700-800 bacteria present in your mouth. Streptococcus mutans are the main bacteria that cause tooth decay and many other oral ailments. Some studies prove that using coconut oil can significantly reduce the number of bacteria including streptococcus mutans.
Reduces bad breath
Bad breath is mostly caused due to acidic reactions of plaque and food particles, inflammatory gum diseases, or tongue coating which all are caused by bacteria. The study proves that coconut oil is effective in reducing bad breath as it can remove bacteria like chlorhexidine mouthwash due to its anti-microbial properties.
Reduces inflammation
Inflammatory gum disease Gingivitis is caused by bacteria found in plaque. It causes red and swollen gums because when excess plaque is developing, the human immune system starts correcting it through gums, which causes an acidic reaction and leads to gingivitis. It causes inflammation and bleeding in the gums.
Coconut oil pulling kills bacteria and its anti-inflammatory properties reduce gum-related inflammation. Coconut oil has a healing property to stop the bleeding also.
Prevents cavities
The causes of the cavities are eating too much sugar and plaque build-up. Plaque is the coating of bacteria, saliva, and food particles. When bacteria break down the food particle it causes an acidic reaction causing tooth decay. Oil pulling kills the harmful bacteria and increases saliva secretion which is important for the breakdown of food so that the stomach can easily digest it and fight off bacteria.
Reduces plaque
Plaque forms when bacteria in your mouth mix with sugary or starchy food. The oil pulling swish off remaining food particles and bacteria of the mouth before they form an acidic reaction to cause plaque.
If not removed on time this plaque can harden into tartar, which only a dental professional can remove.
Coconut Oil Pulling for Teeth Whitening
No study evaluated the coconut oil pulling effect on teeth whitening, but some claim that coconut oil for teeth can pull off stains from the teeth, resulting in a whitening effect. As it protects the enamel layer from bacteria and reduces its thinning which is the major cause of teeth appearing yellow by exposing the dentine.
Oil Pulling FAQs
When do you need to brush your teeth before or after oil pulling?
You may not need to brush your teeth before oil pulling but after oil pulling it's mandatory to brush your teeth. It is important to make sure that toxins dawn out due to swishing is removed from the mouth completely. As the remaining oil in the mouth has bacteria attached to it, it is very important to wash it off thoroughly.
Can oil pulling reverse tooth decay?
While oil pulling helps in reducing bacteria and protecting against tooth decay. There is no study to prove that it can reverse cavities. The dental cavity is the permanent damage to the enamel layer and can’t be reversed.
How often should you do oil pulling?
One can do the oil pulling process daily up to three times a day. You can start with a few times a week and then start doing it daily. You may also start with at least 5 minutes to 15-20 minutes daily.
Is coconut oil pulling safe?
Coconut oil pulling is mostly considered safe, but it could be unsafe if:
- You have a coconut or coconut oil allergy
- You swallow it after the pulling process. As it has pulled out bacteria which may cause stomach discomfort and diarrhoea.
- You are only using oil pulling by completely replacing brushing, flossing, and other oral care.
Oil pulling should be an add-on to your oral care routine rather than only using it as brushing and flossing are very important for oral health. One must also make sure to spit out the oil after the oil pulling process because it is what the whole process is all about, to spit off all the harmful bacteria from the mouth.