Coconut oil pulling has gained mainstream consideration within the information and on vogue blogs in recent times. I’ve been utilizing this Ayurvedic oral health follow on and off for years, and I’ve seen noticeable results. It was one of the instruments I used to remineralize my teeth and reverse tooth decay.

Although it’s considerably controversial, oil pulling has existed for 1000’s of years. The follow not solely affords health advantages for our mouths, however in caring for our mouths, we’re caring for our our bodies. Oral health goes past the health of our enamel and gums. (Listen to this amazing podcast with a dentist).

Adding coconut oil pulling to your dental hygiene routine is a great technique to help a healthy mouth and physique. It’s one device that must be in your dental health toolkit!

What is Oil Pulling?

Oil pulling is an historic treatment from the Ayurveda follow that originated in India 1000’s of years in the past. It includes taking a small quantity of high-quality, natural oil and swishing it in your mouth (like a mouthwash) for 15 to twenty minutes.

Various oils can be utilized for oil pulling, however they need to be food-grade (edible oil). And it must be one thing you’d eat (so high-quality). I choose to make use of coconut oil as a result of of its many health advantages and antibacterial properties.

It might be referred to as “oil-swishing,” because the phrase “pulling” will be complicated. The time period pulling refers to the concept that the oil pulls micro organism out of the gums.

Coconut Oil Pulling Benefits

There are heaps of advantages of oil pulling. It’s a great complement to an oral care routine of brushing and flossing. And it’s significantly better than utilizing standard mouthwash, usually full of poisonous chemical substances and alcohol. Using coconut as your oil of alternative is a great technique to benefit from this superb oil.

When you swish with oil, it binds to the biofilm, or plaque buildup, on the enamel. This helps cut back tooth decay and strengthens gum health. This helps stop cavities and gingivitis. It additionally removes dangerous micro organism that may trigger periodontitis, tooth decay, and halitosis (unhealthy breath).

Some sources declare that oil pulling with coconut can help all the things from pimples to sore throats and even coronary heart illness. But I’ve by no means seen any scientific documentation of these claims. However, it’s well-known that good oral health practices can benefit general health. This contains decreasing the risk of diabetes and coronary heart assaults.

I wouldn’t depend on it alone to deal with any inner or critical medical drawback, however I discover it useful to maintain my mouth healthy and keep away from unhealthy breath.

Does Oil Pulling Work?

Oil pulling has been proven to reduce the number of Streptococcus mutans micro organism within the mouth, particularly when carried out with coconut oil. Streptococcus mutans is one distinguished micro organism within the mouth. It’s been linked to tooth decay and gum illness.

There’s additionally scientific proof that it’s as effective as chlorhexidine mouthwash in decreasing micro organism. Chlorhexidine is a widespread antiseptic that’s used as a mouth rinse. It’s additionally a possible neurotoxin. I’d a lot slightly use coconut oil than that!

Does Coconut Oil Pulling Whiten Teeth?

Although there isn’t scientific proof displaying that it’s good for enamel whitening, I discovered it labored for me. In my expertise, utilizing coconut oil for oil pulling helped whiten my enamel. My enamel felt smoother and appeared whiter after including on this follow. A 2017 research discovered oil pulling helps take away plaque which causes enamel to look yellow. 

However, I received’t depend on this follow alone to whiten my enamel. I additionally use a few other practices, together with brushing with whitening toothpaste and a toothpaste containing charcoal (that basically helps to whiten!).

Coconut Oil Pulling Dangers

It’s important to make use of oil pulling as half of a complete oral health routine and to not exchange regular oral hygiene. Oil pulling is a great addition to brushing twice every day, flossing, and common dental checkups.

There aren’t any unintended effects of oil pulling. However, some people report unfavourable reactions to coconut. Anyone with any topical or inner response to coconut in any kind (particularly an allergy to it) shouldn’t use it for oil pulling. In these instances, sesame oil can be a higher various.

Some people have raised issues about oil pulling with amalgam or mercury primarily based fillings. Holistic dentist Dr. Reese explains that not solely is oil pulling protected with mercury fillings, however it could help pull the poisonous metals out of the nerve endings and the CNS.

If you by chance swallow the oil, it might offer you a abdomen ache. Make sure you spit it out within the trash can (more on how to oil pull beneath). Not swallowing helps your physique not reabsorb the micro organism you’re making an attempt to eradicate.

Because you seemingly haven’t swished one thing for 15-20 minutes earlier than, it may well make your mouth or jaw drained while you first begin. If that’s the case, begin off with 5 minutes, then work your means up to 15-20.

As with any oral product, it’s important to verify with a dentist about any issues earlier than utilizing, particularly if different dental circumstances are current.

What Type of Oil Can I Use for Oil Pulling?

You can use a selection of oils for oil pulling, together with sesame oil, sunflower oil, or olive oil. Traditional cultures normally use sesame seed oil. I choose to make use of coconut oil for a number of causes. I really like that it’s antimicrobial, antiviral, and antibacterial. It additionally incorporates antioxidants and is anti-inflammatory. I really like to make use of it in my DIY health recipes, together with my natural whitening toothpaste.

As talked about earlier, it’s efficient in attacking Streptococcus mutans micro organism, which causes cavities. It’s wealthy in medium-chain triglycerides and high in lauric acid, making it efficient in killing micro organism.

In my expertise, coconut oil pulling is more efficient at eradicating plaque and whitening enamel than sesame oil, though I don’t have any scientific research proving the distinction.

Best Coconut Oil for Oil Pulling

Choose a high-quality, unrefined natural virgin coconut oil for oil pulling. That means, you’ll get probably the most benefit from it. Plus, I like that it has a milder style than different oils. This is my favorite one to make use of.

At the suggestion of a pal, I’ve additionally experimented with utilizing MCT oil as an alternative. MCT oil is a great option for many who don’t just like the style of coconut however nonetheless need some of the advantages. It’s more costly, however I like utilizing it.

Fractionated coconut oil, liquid coconut oil, and MCT oil are all principally the identical factor. If you go for one of these, make sure it’s natural and food-grade. Fractionated coconut oil and MCT oil have had the lauric acid eliminated, in order that they don’t offer the identical health advantages as unrefined coconut oil. 

How to Use  Coconut Oil for Oil Pulling

Oil pulling is simple to do! I love to do it as a half of my morning routine. It’s normally one of the primary issues I do. Since it takes a number of minutes, I usually do it within the bathe.

• Put 1-2 teaspoons of oil in your mouth. I additionally add a few drops of Balanced Mouth Blend to my oil. This mix of important oils helps restore the steadiness of the oral microbiome (right here’s a great podcast on that!). And it helps freshen breath and cut back plaque. This combo is a great various to mouthwash!
• Swish for 15-20 minutes. The quantity of time issues. You wish to swish long enough to interrupt by plaque and micro organism however not too long for the physique to re-absorb the toxins and micro organism you’re making an attempt to take away. The oil will get thicker and milky because it mixes with saliva.
• Spit oil into the trash can. Especially when you’ve got a septic system like I do… don’t spit into the sink! You don’t wish to clog your sink. And don’t swallow the oil, because it’s full of micro organism and plaque that are actually not within the mouth! It must be creamy white while you’re carried out.
• Rinse effectively with heat water. Warm water appears to clean the mouth higher (in my view). Occasionally, I swish with salt water, which appears more efficient (however can be more work).
• Brush effectively. I brush with both a homemade remineralizing toothpaste or a whitening one with charcoal to take away any remaining micro organism.

Using oil pulling provides one other step to your oral hygiene routine. But it’s bought a lot of advantages, and I’ve seen enhancements from utilizing it, so I’d positively advocate including it to your routine.

Try Coconut Oil Pulling Chews

Short on time within the mornings, however wish to strive oil pulling? I’ve found a technique to simplify it (and save time every day)! I make mini coconut oil chews that soften within the mouth. I add in Balanced Mouth Blend important oils and freeze them.

 It’s an straightforward technique to have pre-portioned bites able to go. It makes it simpler to get my children to do it with me (plus, it helps me keep on observe with my dental care!). Just pop one in your mouth, and use it the identical means.

Have you ever used coconut oil for oil pulling? How did you prefer it? Share beneath!