Oral health is crucial for everyone, regardless of age. Oil pulling is considered an effective solution to tackle dental issues. It is an ancient Ayurvedic remedy that involves swishing around oil in your mouth like a mouthwash for 5-20 minutes daily. You can use coconut oil, sesame oil, or sunflower oil for this technique. From fighting germs to promoting gum health, oil pulling has many benefits.
1. Fights bad bacteria in your mouth
Your mouth is full of bacteria. Some are more harmful than the rest and may lead to gum diseases, tooth decay, and bad breath. Oil pulling benefits oral hygiene by helping remove potentially harmful bacteria from the mouth and teeth. Researchers state coconut oil is a safer alternative to chlorhexidine, an ingredient in commercial mouthwashes.
2. Reduces bad breath
One of the main reasons for bad breath is the buildup of bacteria, and oil pulling with sesame oil can help fight this issue. This technique also helps tackle tooth decay.
3. Prevents cavities
Cavities result from tooth decay caused by bacterial buildup, excess sugar consumption, and poor oral hygiene. This results in plaque, which coats and damages the teeth, eventually leading to cavities. Regular oil pulling, brushing, and flossing may help reduce the growth of cavity-causing bacteria in the mouth if you want to prevent cavities. However, they should never replace your dentist appointment.
4. Improves gum health
Harmful bacteria in your mouth or plaque can often lead to gingivitis, a gum disease that causes redness, swelling, and inflammation. It can also make your gums bleed. Some studies have shown that oil pulling with coconut oil can help avoid plaque-induced gingivitis and reduce plaque formation in the mouth, ensuring better dental health.
5. Other benefits of oil pulling
Experts have also suggested that oil pulling can help whiten teeth, which is the benefit that attracts most people to this ancient remedy. However, there is no scientific evidence to support the same. According to Ayurvedic medicine, oil pulling can help eliminate toxins from the body. It can also help clear the sinuses, reduce headaches, and fight inflammation, one of the major reasons for chronic health conditions like arthritis.
Although proper scientific evidence is somewhat lacking to prove the benefits of oil pulling, you can consider making it a part of your oral hygiene routine (only after consulting with your dentist), as it is a simple and affordable way to maintain good dental health.
Just keep a few things in mind to get the maximum benefits of oil pulling. If you are allergic to coconut or oils, skip this method altogether. If you are a beginner, start with oil pulling for five minutes for a few days and gradually increase it to 20 minutes. Also, swish the oil to every corner of the mouth.
However, do not swallow the oil, as it contains toxins and bacteria that have been flushed out from the crevices of your mouth. We would want these to be expelled out of the body, so swallowing it would do you no good. Moreover, remember to spit the oil in the toilet or trash, not down the drain, as it may clog your sink. Once done, brush your teeth to remove any oil residue or remaining toxins from your teeth.
