About two weeks ago, I wrote an article about coconut oil – an awesome tropical oil with many health benefits.
A few people commented that they use coconut oil for something called
Oil Pulling – which is kind of like using an oil as mouthwash.
Apparently, there are quite a few studies that support this process and a lot of people swear by it.
It is claimed to whiten your teeth, make your breath fresher and lead to massive improvements in oral health.
I have now been doing this every morning for about 10 days… and I am impressed.
What is Oil Pulling and How Does it Work?
Oil pulling involves swishing oil around the mouth and has been used
for thousands of years as an Indian folk remedy. In order to oil pull,
you put a tablespoon of oil in your mouth, then swish it around for
15-20 minutes. The main benefit of doing this, is that it reduces the
amount of harmful bacteria in the mouth.
There are actually thousands of different types of bacteria
in the mouth. Some of them are friendly, others are not. The bacteria in
the mouth create a “biofilm” on the teeth – a thin layer that they use
to adhere to the surface. This is what we know as “plaque.”
Having some plaque on your teeth is normal, but if it gets out of
hand it can cause all sorts of problems, including bad breath, yellow
teeth, gum inflammation, gingivitis and cavities. The way oil pulling
works is simple. When you swish the oil around your mouth, the bacteria
“get stuck” in it and dissolve in the liquid oil. Basically, you remove a
large amount of the bacteria and plaque in your mouth each time you do
this.
I Personally Prefer Coconut Oil
Traditionally, the Indians used other oils such as sesame oil or
sunflower oil. Oil pulling should work with pretty much any oil you
choose, but I prefer coconut oil because it has many health benefits.
The Lauric Acid (one of the fatty acids in coconut oil) is also
proven to be antimicrobial… it can kill bacteria, viruses and fungi (1, 2).
The taste of coconut oil is also fairly pleasant compared to other
oils. I found it rather disgusting at first having my mouth full of oil,
but I got used to it after a few days.
Now let’s look at a few studies on oil pulling…
Now let’s look at a few studies on oil pulling…
Oil Pulling Can Reduce Harmful Bacteria in The Mouth
Streptococcus Mutans
is one of the main bacteria in the mouth and a key player in plaque
buildup and tooth decay. In a study from 2008 with 20 boys, oil pulling
(using sesame oil) caused a reduction in the number of Streptococcus
Mutans in the plaque in as little as 2 weeks (3).
It was not as effective as a Chlorhexidine mouthwash, but much cheaper and MUCH less nasty.
Oil Pulling Can Reduce Plaque and Gingivitis
Gingivitis is caused by inflammation of the gums and happens when the immune system starts attacking the bacteria in the plaque.
Another study compared oil pulling and chlorhexidine in adolescents with
plaque-induced gingivitis. Both oil pulling and chlorhexidine mouthwash
were effective against gingivitis (4).
Oil Pulling Can Reduce Bad Breath
Bad breath, otherwise known as halitosis, is in many cases (not all)
caused by the smell of chemicals and gases produced by bacteria in the
mouth. It makes sense that if you get rid of some of these bacteria, you
reduce bad breath.
In a third study of 20 adolescents, oil pulling therapy significantly
reduced all markers for bad breath and was just as effective as
chlorhexidine mouthwash (5).
How to Oil Pull
Oil pulling is incredibly simple and effective.
Here’s how to do it:
1. Put about a tablespoon of oil in your mouth.
2. Swish the oil around your mouth for about 15-20 minutes.
3. Spit out the oil, then brush your teeth.
If you use coconut oil like me, then you may have to chew on the oil
for a minute or so to let it melt, because it is solid at room
temperature. It is best to do this on an empty stomach, before you brush
your teeth. I prefer to do it while I take a shower in the morning.
I put the oil in my mouth, swish it around while in the shower and
try to “push” and “pull” the oil between my teeth. When I get out of the
shower I spit out the oil into the trash or toilet (not the sink… it
can clog), rinse my mouth with water and then brush my teeth.
There is no need to use a lot of force here, if oil pulling causes
pain in your facial muscles then just relax a bit. Try using less oil
next time and don’t swish it around too forcefully.
What to Expect
I’ve been doing this for about 10 days now. I’ve definitely noticed
that my breath is fresher and my teeth look a lot cleaner… both whiter
and more shiny. I’ve never had any dental problems, but I can see how
this could have benefits for people that have them.
There are a lot of wild claims about oil pulling online and I don’t
believe all of them. However, oil pulling IS effective at reducing the
harmful bacteria in your mouth and improving oral and dental health.
Given that inflammation can cause all sorts of health problems, it does make sense that reducing inflammation in the gums and mouth could lead to benefits for overall health as well. Perhaps this is the reason why many people report improvements in health issues that really have nothing to do with the mouth.
Given that inflammation can cause all sorts of health problems, it does make sense that reducing inflammation in the gums and mouth could lead to benefits for overall health as well. Perhaps this is the reason why many people report improvements in health issues that really have nothing to do with the mouth.
Anyway… I have to say that I am really surprised at how effective this is. I plan to continue doing this for a long time.
Source:realfarmacy