Discover Oil Pulling Benefits for Teeth

If you’re a fan of homeopathic remedies, you may have heard about coconut oil pulling recently–even though this is not a new idea! So what is it? Oil pulling is a dental method that originated in India and has been used for thousands of years. The process involves putting a tablespoon of oil in your mouth, then swishing it around your teeth for 10 to 20 minutes.

So how does it work? The oil combats the various bacteria that can be found in the mouth. Bacteria, like the Streptoccus Mutans, which is the cause of plaque buildup, gingivitis, and cavities. The bacteria in the mouth can create a biofilm on the teeth known as plaque. When you are pulling the oil through your teeth, the bacteria gets trapped and dissolves in the liquid oil.

Traditionally, Indians would use sesame oil, but coconut oil has been proven to be most effective as an antimicrobial killing off bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Additionally, coconut oil tastes much more pleasant than a mouthful of sunflower oil.

Now, that you know the basic here is how to effectively oil pull for dental health. The steps are simple.

1. Put about a tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth.
2. Swish the oil around your mouth for 10 to 20 minutes.
3. Spit out the oil, and then brush your teeth immediately after.

If you are using raw coconut oil you may have to chew on it for a few seconds for it to melt because it is solid at room temperature–oh, and make sure you aren’t allergic to coconut!

This is best to do on an empty stomach before you brush your teeth. There is no need to vigorously swish the oil around your mouth as this can cause pain in your facial muscles. If you are experiencing pain try using less oil next time. Expect your breath to be fresher and your teeth to look fabulous. Let us know if this worked for you!