Oil pulling is a traditional wellness practice that benefits oral health and overall well-being. Keep reading to discover the benefits of oil pulling. I will also share my personal experience with oil pulling.
Every year, I attend a health and wellness event to learn about the latest trends and products in the natural market. For the past couple of years, I have stopped by a booth that offers samples of toothpaste and other oral care products. Each time I visit this booth, they always hand me a couple of samples of coconut pulling oil.
When I get home, I always put the oil-pulling samples in my bathroom drawer with good intentions to try them. I admit that I have plenty of excuses for why I have not tried oil pulling. That all changed when GuruNanda sent me a box of several of their oral care products to feature on my holiday gift guide for health and fitness folks.
I was experiencing gum issues on one side of my mouth, and I decided that I was going to invest more time into my oral health care routine. Poor oral health can affect the rest of your body and lead to health problems. There is a connection between oral health and wellness.
I did some research and learned about how oil pulling can help with gum health. Regular practice of oil pulling reduces plaque buildup and symptoms of gingivitis, such as gum inflammation and bleeding. So I made a commitment to incorporate oil pulling into my oral care routine.
What is oil pulling?
Oil pulling is a simple practice that involves swishing natural oils like coconut oil in your mouth. It’s a technique rooted in Ayurvedic holistic medicine that’s used to treat various oral health issues. Oil pulling is a more natural way to take care of your teeth.
How do you oil pull?
The first step to oil pulling is to purchase quality fractionated coconut oil. I like using GuruNanda's pulling oil as it has natural flavors in it to enhance the experince. Sure, you could use regular coconut oil, but the mint flavor in GuruNanda's pulling oil is more pleasant to taste and keeps me swishing longer. There are also additional essential oils in GuruNanda's pulling oil for additional mouth benefits.
Here is the short version of how to oil pull, which I found on GuruNanda's website.
1. Start with 10 to 15 mL (1 tablespoon) of pulling oil in your mouth.
2. Swish the oil for 2 minutes if you're a beginner, and gradually work up to 10 minutes as you grow more comfortable.
3. Spit the oil into the trash, avoiding sinks to prevent plumbing issues.
4. Brush your teeth immediately after oil pulling to help remove any impurities and debris.
My oil pulling routine
To be successful with my oil pulling experience, to see results, I knew that I needed to establish a routine. So I decided to oil pull at night, after I detoxed in my home infrared sauna. I was using my infrared sauna nightly for the inflammation benefits.
When I was done spending time in my sauna, I put the coconut oil in my mouth and swished while I was in the shower. My shower time was around 10 minutes, so it worked well.
Benefits of Oil Pulling
One of the main benefits of practicing oil pulling is gum health, and it can especially help with bleeding gums. This was my reason to practice oil pulling, as one section of my mouth would bleed after I flossed my teeth.
I am happy to report that after several days of using the pulling oil in my mouth, my gums stopped bleeding.
Oil Pulling Benefits
Here are some key benefits of oil pulling, supported by research and traditional practice:
+ May Help in Oral Bacteria Reduction: Oil pulling significantly reduces harmful bacteria like Streptococcus mutans, which is known for causing tooth decay
+ May Help in Enhancing Gum Health: Regular practice of oil pulling reduces plaque buildup and symptoms of gingivitis, such as gum inflammation and bleeding.
+ May Support Detoxification: Oil pulling may support the body's detoxification process by stimulating salivary enzymes that absorb toxins. This can reduce harmful bacteria in the mouth and contribute to overall health.
+ May Enhance Overall Health: Good oral hygiene is crucial for overall health, as poor dental care can lead to more serious conditions like heart inflammation.
+ May Promote Fresher Breath: Oil pulling is equally effective as mouthwash in improving breath freshness.
+ May Help in Cavity Prevention: Oil pulling may play a role in preventing cavities by reducing plaque and bacterial accumulation on tooth surfaces.
+ Teeth Whitening: Oil pulling is not a replacement for professional dental treatments, but studies have been conducted on products like GuruNanda that show teeth-whitening benefits.
References: https://gurunanda.com/blogs/oil-pulling/ultimate-guide-to-oil-pulling
FAQs
There are many questions about oil pulling. The above reference has the answers to many questions about oil pulling. I have decided to include several of the common ones here.
Q: How often can you oil pull?
A: Daily oil pulling is common and recommended. Consistency is key for noticeable results, but individual preferences and tolerances may vary.
Q: How long should you oil pull?
A: The typical recommended duration for oil pulling is 15 to 20 minutes, minutes per session. Start with shorter sessions and gradually increase the time as you're comfortable. With GuruNanda’s formula of fractionated coconut oil with essential oils like tea tree and clove, a 2 to 10-minute session can suffice.
Q: How long does it take for oil pulling to work?
A: The timeline for noticeable benefits from oil pulling can vary. Some people may observe improvements in oral health within a few weeks, while others might take longer.
Q: Does oil pulling help bad breath?
A: Oil pulling may help reduce bad breath as it targets the bacteria that primarily cause it and decreases their presence in the mouth.
Q: Should you rinse after oil pulling?
A: It is recommended to rinse your mouth with water after oil pulling to remove any residual oil. Additionally, brushing your teeth after rinsing is advisable for comprehensive oral hygiene.
Q: Where to spit oil after oil pulling?
A: Dispose of the used oil in a trash can instead of spitting it into the sink to avoid plumbing issues.
Making Oil Pulling a Part of My Healthy Habits
After experiencing the benefits of oil pulling, I decided to make it a part of my healthy habits. Every time I use my infrared sauna, I follow up this habit with oil pulling in the shower. This has been helping me stay consistent.
I have been using my infrared sauna around 5 days a week, as it has been helping reduce the inflammation in my body from my allergy-induced asthma. This, in turn, has been helping with my sleep.
I have been swishing my pulling oil in the shower. Once I get out of the shower, I spit out the oil and brush my teeth. I love using these flossing toothbrushes as they work better than an average toothbrush. Then I floss my teeth.
Try GuruNanda's Pulling Oil today and take a step toward becoming the guru of your own wellness.