5 Benefits of Oil Pulling (Plus Easy Instructions to Try It at Home!)

If you want to know the state of a person’s health, look no further than their teeth and gums. Ask any dentist and they will tell you: your mouth is the gatekeeper to your overall health and wellbeing.

While oil pulling originated thousands of years ago, lately there has been a lot of buzz around it in the dental health community.

Studies show there are many oil pulling benefits ranging from fighting harmful bacteria and preventing cavities to reducing the risk of developing fungal infections.
 
 

What is Oil Pulling?

Oil pulling is done by swishing oil (typically coconut oil or sesame oil) in your mouth to remove bacteria and improve oral health.

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As the name suggests, the oil helps pull bacteria from your mouth. It helps cut through plaque without harming the gums or teeth.

Oil pulling promotes overall dental hygiene by increasing the production of saliva, moisturizing gums, and reducing inflammation.

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Rooted in the ancient Ayurvedic medicine, oil pulling is an ancient practice used to help treat illness and disease by removing bacteria from your mouth.
 

Here Are 5 Oil Pulling Benefits:

1. Oil Pulling Promotes Gum Health

As a natural anti-inflammatory, coconut oil can help reduce inflammation in the gums. Coconut oil has anti-bacterial properties and tends to taste better compared to other oils.
 

 
 
According to one study, participants who did oil pulling with coconut oil for 30 days had less plaque and healthier gums – both of which help reduce the risk of developing gingivitis.
 

2. Oil Pulling Eliminates Bad Breath

While there are many different causes of bad breath, one of the most common includes too much bacteria on the tongue. When it comes to eliminating bad breath, research shows that oil pulling can work as well as chlorhexidine.

In one study, children were separated into two groups: one rinsed with chlorhexidine and the other rinsed with sesame oil. For both groups, results indicated a significant reduction in the type of bacteria that causes bad breath.
 

3. Oil Pulling Fights Bad Bacteria

There are many types of bacteria in your mouth – some good and some bad. The bad bacteria is what can lead to bad breath, tooth decay, and poor gum health.

In a study of 20 children who used mouthwash or did oil pulling, both were equally effective at reducing the amount of harmful bacteria in plaque and saliva.
 

4. Oil Pulling May Prevent Cavities

Plaque buildup is one of the main causes of cavities. Over time, the bacteria in plaque forms an acid, which can lead to tooth decay and destroy tooth enamel.

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When it comes to oil pulling benefits, research shows it can prevent tooth decay by lowering the amount of harmful bacteria in plaque and saliva. It’s scientifically-proven to be just as effective as mouthwash!
 

5. Oil Pulling Can Improve Oral Thrush Symptoms

Oral thrush is a fungal infection caused by candida that grows in the mouth. If you’re unsure if you have this condition, here are 8 signs that you have candida and how to heal it naturally.

Oil pulling especially with coconut oil can help remove bacteria and yeast that causes candida.
 
 

Follow These 5 Easy Steps to Try Oil Pulling at Home:

Oil pulling is super simple! Just follow the five-step process below.

• Brush your teeth thoroughly
• Put 1 to 2 teaspoons of oil in your mouth (most commonly used oils are: coconut oil or sesame oil, or sunflower oil
• Swish the oil around in your mouth for 5-20 minutes
• Spit out the oil in a trash can (down the sink may result in clogs since oil is thick). Do not swallow
• Rinse your mouth with warm water and follow with brushing

For optimal results, it is recommended to do oil pulling on a regular basis. It is commonly recommended to oil pull every day.
 
 

Protect Your Oral Health with Oil Pulling

Oil pulling is a simple yet effective technique that you can incorporate in your daily routine. Along with brushing and flossing regularly, you can do oil pulling to improve your oral health.

If you don’t make your dental hygiene a priority, you will be more prone to infection and health problems down the line. In fact, taking good care of your teeth and gums can help you live longer.

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