The process of swishing a sort of edible oil around in your mouth to clean and whiten your teeth is known as oil pulling. Oil pulling, according to Ayurvedic medicine, is an old Indian procedure that helps whiten teeth. It also helps with an overall wellness, according to Ayurvedic practitioners.
Putting a tablespoon or so of oil into your mouth and moving it around is all it takes to do oil pulling. You must keep the oil circulating around your mouth for a long time—five to 20 minutes each day—to enjoy the benefits. That gives the oil adequate time to pull out toxins and leave your mouth clean, according to Ayurvedic teachings.
How to Do Oil Pulling?
You should use a high-quality, edible oil for oil pulling. Common types include sunflower oil, coconut oil, and sesame oil. To start, take a tablespoon of oil and place it in your mouth. Then, swish it around. Oil pulling has no right or wrong way, but you should try to move the oil around as much as possible. Swish it around in your mouth, forcing it through your teeth.
The trick is to keep oil pulling for a long enough period of time to reap the benefits. Start with five minutes of oil pulling and gradually expand your time as you become used to the feeling. Swishing the oil around your mouth picks up other liquids and air, increasing the volume of the oil as you pull. Many people feel compelled to spit before they can finish oil pulling as a result of this.
If this occurs, spit a small amount of oil into the trash (to avoid clogging your sink) and keep pulling. With practice, you can progress to a longer oil pulling session. Spit the oil into the trash when you’re done. After being swished around for so long, it may appear frothy and white. You’re set to go for the day after brushing your teeth to remove any remaining toxins or oil.
Health Benefits?
Oil pulling has been done since before the creation of toothbrushes. It was thought to be effective in the removal of plaque from teeth and to improve the condition of the teeth, tongue, and gums. That was validated in a 2007 study published in the Indian Journal of Dental Research. It compared the results of 10 men who did oil pulling for 10 days to 10 men who did not.
According to the study, participants who used oil pulling had less plaque. Oil pulling, according to Ayurvedic medicine, also aids overall health by removing toxins from the body. Oil pulling, according to Ayurvedic practitioners, can clear the sinuses, reduce headaches, and reduce inflammation in the body.
Inflammation has been linked to a wide range of diseases, including arthritis and heart disease. Modern science has yet to prove that oil pulling has any effect on overall health, but it’s likely that giving oil pulling a try won’t hurt your overall health either.
What Modern Dentists Say?
Oil pulling is not recommended for dental health by the American Dental Association. The American Dental Association (ADA) stated in a statement that there is no reliable scientific evidence that oil pulling reduces plaque or lowers the risk of cavities. However, recent research out of India suggests that oil pulling could help prevent plaque build-up.
Oral health and overall health are linked, according to modern science. Periodontitis, the disease that causes tooth decay, has been related to various health problems such as cardiovascular disease and pneumonia. So, the old Ayurvedic belief that caring for your teeth, including oil pulling, can improve your general health, may have some merit.
Possible Negative Consequences
You’re putting edible oil into your mouth when you do oil pulling. As a result, there should be no negative health consequences. Traditional Ayurvedic medicine advises against swallowing the oil since it is believed to carry toxins and bacteria from your mouth. Instead, spit the oil into the trash and clean your teeth afterward.
A Word from Very well
Traditional medicinal methods have piqued the curiosity of an increasing number of people in the West in recent years. Although there is little modern evidence that oil pulling benefits dental and overall health, it has been practiced for millennia, and some individuals believe that this is sufficient proof. Furthermore, it is unlikely to have any negative consequences on your health.
If you want to try oil pulling, make sure you wash your teeth twice a day as well. You’ll receive the best of both worlds—a modern, scientifically proven approach to dentistry, as well as an ancient tradition that may have health impacts.
