Oil Pulling and Dental Benefits

What Is Oil Pulling?

The mouth is said to be a reflection of a person's overall health. Billions of bacteria live in the oral cavity, and some of them contribute to the development or progression of systemic disorders like cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus. Oral and general health are intertwined.

Oil pulling is traditional Indian folk medicine that claims to whiten teeth, refresh breath, and enhance dental health. Coconut oil is becoming increasingly popular for oil pulling. Many people swear by this cure, and many claim it helps them in other ways as well. An ancient Indian method for cleaning the mouth and teeth is oil pulling. Cavities, gingivitis, and bad breath are all said to be reduced by using it. When used as a mouthwash, coconut oil can drastically lower the quantity of dangerous bacteria in your mouth, such as Streptococcus mutans. Gingivitis, often known as gum inflammation, can be reduced by oil pulling with coconut oil. According to some data, oil pulling using sesame oil can help with bad breath. Coconut oil could have a similar impact. There are a lot of misconceptions and myths concerning oil pulling. There is currently no data to back claims that oil pulling whitens teeth or removes toxins from the blood.

What is the procedure of Oil Pulling?

Oil pulling should be done on an empty stomach every morning before brushing your teeth, and care should be taken not to consume the oil. Oil pulling should not be swallowed because the oil includes bacteria and poisons. Oil pulling is best done while sitting with your chin raised. It can be done three times a day on an empty stomach before meals to speed up the healing process. Because of the danger of aspiration, it is not recommended for children under the age of five.

The procedure for oil pulling is simple:

1. In your mouth, put around a tablespoon of oil.

2. For around 15–20 minutes, swish the oil around your mouth.

3. After spitting out the oil, wash your teeth.

What Are the Health Benefits of Oil Pulling:

Oil pulling produces antioxidants, which harm and kill bacteria by damaging their cell walls. These oils attract the lipid layer of bacterial cell membranes, causing them to cling to the oil and be drawn to it. The oil is emulsified, and the surface area of the oil is expanded during oil pulling. After 5 minutes of oil pulling, the emulsification process begins. This oil coats the teeth and gums, preventing plaque formation and bacterial co-aggregation. Plaque-forming bacteria that cause dental cavities, gingivitis, periodontitis, and foul breath are therefore eliminated from the mouth. Gums become pinker and healthier, and bleeding gums are no longer an issue. Oil pulling can also assist with symptoms like dry mouth/throat and chapped lips. With good dental hygiene, teeth get whiter, breath becomes fresher, and oral cavity muscles and jaws become stronger. Oil pulling helps to prevent dental caries, gingivitis, oral candidiasis, and periodontitis, as well as reducing tooth discomfort, repairing movable teeth, and maintaining good oral hygiene. Oil pulling is thought to refresh and excite the mind, as well as sharpen the senses when done on a daily basis. It also helps with sore throats, dry skin, blurred eyesight, loss of taste, and anorexia.

When done correctly and on a regular basis, oil pulling has been shown to improve dental hygiene. Oil pulling, on the other hand, is not a substitute for dental care. Based on currently available data, oil pulling can be safely utilized as an adjuvant to maintaining good oral hygiene and health, alongside routine teeth brushing and flossing, with promising positive benefits when done as suggested.

Dr.G.Muthulaakshmi.