Oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic method that has been practiced in India for over 3,000 years for internal and medicinal health benefits. Some of the claims have been impressive for improving migraines, asthma, acne, inflammation, heart issues, varicose veins, insomnia, allergies and oral hygiene. Our mouths contain much bacteria that accumulates throughout the day, which in turn may result in certain illnesses. It’s the same reason that a dentist tells you to come in for a regular cleaning every 6 months – if one doesn’t take care of their teeth, it may result in heart issues and other complications because the breeding bacteria/ plaque spreads internally into the body if teeth are not ‘cleaned’ properly.
Oil pulling has been gaining popularity here in the U.S. in the last five years and I’m here to tell you that I’ve personally had some amazing improvements myself!
MY STORY
I had a filling done on a tooth in June of this year. After about a week, pain started forming on that particular tooth. On the second day of pain, it got seriously unbearable! I was taking ibuprofen twice a day to kill the pain and was deciding whether to call my dentist for an appointment. However, I knew that the most likely scenario was the ever-popular method of root canal for reliving my poor tooth! I suspected this because I had the same exact pain years ago when I had a root canal done and it was a lengthy, unpleasant and tedious process. And expensive!
I did NOT want to go through with a possibility of a root canal; therefore, I decided to try the oil pulling technique to hopefully relieve the pain for time being and see what would happen. I read an article online about how oil pulling can heal teeth from pain and cavities.
The results were nothing short of amazing in the next 7 days. Within 3 days, the pain I was experienced subsided and after 2 weeks – no more pain! My favorite oil to use is organic, unrefined coconut oil because it has the most antibacterial properties than other oils.
I want to share with you the benefits of oil pulling and how it can help you save time and money from seeing the dentist on cavities, tooth decay, gingivitis, etc. However, I still recommend an annual teeth cleaning with your dentist! If you don’t have dental insurance – this IS the perfect solution to take care of your teeth!
HEALTH BENEFITS
Detox – Since the mouth is the entrance for breeding bacteria, it makes sense that the start of detox comes from the same place. By pulling all the toxins internally, body goes through a detox phase resulting in better health.
Oral Hygiene – Oil pulling helps to remove all the toxins and bad germs by acting as a cleanser before the bad bacteria spreads throughout the body. Oil pulling has been known to decrease cavities and help with fresh breath. Bad breath is a cause of gut issues, which results in unfavorable breath throughout the day, even with regular brushing. Oil pulling first thing in the morning, pulls all the toxins out from the mouth by the swishing action. It also whitens teeth due to the natural antiviral properties that brightens them overtime if done regularly!
Skin – Oil pulling can clear skin of acne, rashes, rosacea and eczema through removing toxin buildup in the gut and thus brighter complexion. Inflammation in the body is one of the leading causes of skin problems, especially acne. Therefore, oil pulling extracts all the nasties and clears inflammation in the body. However, many individuals (myself included) experience a slight purge of acne for a week or two, which subsides. This is due to the detox phase and totally normal.
HOW TO:
1 tablespoon of Spectrum Organic Unrefined Coconut oil (what I use), olive oil, or sesame oil in the mouth right before brushing teeth (in the morning); swish for 15-20 minutes. Beginners can start for 5 minutes and build up to 15 or 20. Spit out into a trash can only (it can clog sink overtime because it is oil) and rinse with warm water. Proceed with brushing teeth as usual. DO NOT swallow while swishing! The swishing action pulls all the toxins – if swallowed, the toxins that you have swished will go back in the body.
**Important note – always purchase organic and unrefined oil for oil pulling ritual to ensure the most potent results.
Have you tried oil pulling? What experiences have you had?
Hi Ksenia,
This is really great.
I have had sensitive and bleeding gums and last year an abscess which was treated with antibiotics which did solve the problem but I would prefer to not have to take antibiotics so i will get some coconut oil today and start this tomorrow morning for 5 minutes as you recommended. I have started using sensodyne toothpaste for my sensitive mouth but this sounds like a great addition to my oral hygeine routine.
Does this method reduce inflammation throughout the body? It just seems so easy. But instead of questioning too much I am going to give it a try and see what happens. I actually seem to have some allergy or contact dermatitis right now that came up 2 days ago so maybe it can help. If it does I’ll let you know.
Thanks,
Alison
Hi Alison,
Yes – this technique does help inflammation throughout the body!
Unfortunately, many people that have heard of oil pulling, simply don’t want to try it because it sounds so weird to do! However, I’m a living proof that it DOES work on cavities, hence alleviating serious pain from my tooth!
I strongly recommend organic, unrefined coconut oil due to the antiviral properties. Just make sure, you’re not allergic to coconuts!
Let me know how this works out for you! If you experience slight headaches for a day or two, please note – this is normal due to the detox phase. Oil pulling simply extracts all the buildup toxins resulting in some minor fatigue, headaches, etc.
Interesting. I have never heard of oif pulling. If I’m understanding it ciorrectly, it’s just a matter of swishing the coconut oil on your mouth? If so I should try this.I have a tooth that acts up (on and off)I usually swish with a floride rinch more often through the day (I don’t want the root canal either). I will give this a try next time it flares up.
Yes, Debra – swishing oil in the mouth first thing in the morning (before brushing teeth) for 10-20 minutes! Just make sure the oil is of good quality (organic, unrefined, etc.) Sesame and coconut are the two major oils that people purchase for oil pulling. You should see the pain subside in your tooth in approximately a week. Could be less…Its so easy to do this technique daily and effective for so many health issues.
Let me know if you try it out and what results you’ll experience!
I’ve heard several people mention this method. I’ll have to give it a try. If I go to the dentist she will just want to rip everything out and start over, and I’m too old and too poor to do that.
Gary
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Gary,
I completely understand where you’re coming from in regard to going to the dentist. Oil pulling ritual has been around for thousands of years and it works! I find that unrefined, organic coconut oil is best to use because of the antiviral and antimicrobial nutrients it contains…just make sure you’re not allergic to coconuts!
I hope this technique works out for you, as well as it did for me! And it’s so easy to do – just be consistent with it – every morning, first thing before brushing teeth!