Do you or have you done any Oil Pulling? There are MANY articles about it online.. people are divided on the subject. On one end you may hear someone say “I LOVE it and yes I do it daily!”
Then on the other hand you will always hear someone say “No. Eating healthy is a joke. Essential oils are a fad, and Snopes said that Oil Pulling is a ridiculous joke too.”
I’m here to say that I have done it. It works for me, and my oldest 9 year old ALSO does it too. How did I start and why? I will tell you what happened because I think it plays a HUGE part in why I continue to do it.
I had a Root Canal & Crown back in 2013 (December) – it cost me a fortune. Sure, we have dental but anyone knows that dental covers SO little.. back in April of 2015 (so not even 2 years later), I had a HUGE lump on the outside of my gums – right near where that Root Canal was done. I was concerned to say the last – so i called my dentist.
I took a same day appointment.
After looking at it for a few minutes he said “I’m sending you to the Oral Surgeon today so he can take care of it on a referral”. After talking to my husband, he was concerned… it hasn’t even been 2 years and you have another Root Canal needed? You JUST had one on the same tooth? Did it not go well? What went wrong? Did my own self research, started Oil Pulling (and also incorporated Essential Oils) and a week later my abscess was gone. 18 months later it’s still gone. Did my dentist agree it was a good idea? I can’t say he did, but then having another root canal wasn’t a healthy option for me.
Will I eventually need a root canal on that tooth? Perhaps. Will I see out my dentist? I will not, instead I will go to a holistic dentist with better options.
First – What IS Oil Pulling?
Oil pulling, also known as “kavala” or “gundusha,” is an ancient Ayurvedic dental technique that involves swishing a tablespoon of oil in your mouth on an empty stomach for around 20 minutes. This action supposedly draws out toxins in your body, primarily to improve oral health but also to improve your overall health
The practice of doing this was first introduced in the US in the early 1900’s by a medical doctor (Dr. F. Karach) who used it successfully in his practice.
Benefits of Oil Pulling
If you do any research on Oil Pulling you will find lots of anecdotal support by few scientific studies. Many people DO Oil Pulling, and mention how beneficial it has been for them – but others may debate how effective it is.
I have successfully used oil pulling the last year and a half and had great results (whiter teeth and less plaque) – I have also been able to help lower my bacteria in my mouth and reduce an infection that I did have ( which is why I started Oil Pulling in the first place )…
If you are looking for a reason from the American Dental Association .. however, don’t bother wasting your time. Most local dentists are too busy promoting fluoride treatments and mercury fillings. .. when I told my local dentist about my results he said he had never heard of Oil Pulling at all. But with that aside, you have to remember that they are trained to have an aversion to simple effective remedies – after all.. it does have an affect on their business, too.
Oil Pulling can better skin circulation, blood sugar, hormonal balance, and reduce bacteria in the mouth – it can help you with your joint pain and even rid your mouth of bad breath. … read more about it HERE.
What Oil to Use?
If you use any oil it should be raw coconut or sesame – if you want to whiten your teeth use raw coconut with a little turmeric.
Raw coconut oil has lauric acid that has proven to be anti-inflammatory and has antimicrobial effects – therefore it is helpful to decrease plaque and gingivitis.
How to Oil Pull
The concept is so easy – you will swish a few teaspoons of vegetable based oil (coconut or sesame) in your mouth for 15-20 minutes, spit out and rinse well. It’s best done in the morning (before you eat or drink) but you can actually do it before any meal.
1. Put 1-2 teaspoons of oil in your mouth. If it’s a solid scoop it out and let it melt in your mouth before swishing. If you are using Essential Oils, then add a drop (I use Clove).
2. Swish for 15-20 minutes. You want to swish long enough to break through plaque and bacteria but not so long that your body reabsorbs that bacteria and toxins – obviously the oil gets thicker as time progresses.
3. Spit out. Into the trash can (NOT in the sink or toilet!) And do not swallow.
4. Rinse and Brush. You’ll want to rinse well with warm water and then brush your teeth well.
If it’s easier to do it in the morning, Oil Pull while you take a shower, then spit in the trash. Or, do what I do and try to do it before the kids wake up (as obviously not talking for 20 minutes can lead to some pretty huge problems!) :)
Oil Pulling Safety
Is Oil Pulling safe when pregnant? Can kids Oil Pull?
Generally it’s safe for your kids as long as they don’t swallow the oil – my 9 year old does it every other day & hasn’t had any issues. It’s completely fine to do if you are pregnant – in fact, this could definitely be coincidental but I haven’t had any cavities in the last 18 months (since I started).
I DO have amalgam fillings but if you have any metal fillings or crowns you might want to check with your doctor first before starting any of your own treatments.
If you are looking for more information or studies to show the advantages of Oil Pulling, you can turn to the Oil Pulling Revolution by Dr. Michelle Coleman.