What is Oil Pulling?
How it Works
Oil pulling involves rinsing your mouth with the oil, much like you would with a mouthwash. The oil is “worked” around your mouth by pushing, pulling, and drawing it through your teeth for a period of 15 to 20 minutes. In 15 minutes, the oil will reportedly “pull out” bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other debris from your mouth.
Use coconut oil. While you can get the same bacteria-fighting benefits with sesame or sunflower oil, coconut oil has the added benefit of lauric acid, which is well-known for its anti-microbial agents, Emery says, making it more effective. Also, a recent study found that coconut oil may help prevent tooth decay.
Start with just 5 minutes a day. Twenty minutes of swishing is a long time, and while the longer you pull, the more bacteria you’ll remove, 5 or 10 minutes will still offer some benefit. Also, if your jaw starts aching a few minutes in, slow down. “Don’t work too hard,” Emery says. “A gentle swishing, pushing, and sucking the oil through the teeth is all that’s required.”
Don’t swallow. “If you find it hard not to, you likely have too much oil in your mouth,” Emery says. “Spit it out and try again with a smaller amount.” Also, don’t spit it down the sink, as the oil could clog your pipes. Just discard the used oil into the nearest trash can.
Don’t skip brushing and flossing. “Oil pulling should never replace routine dental visits and traditional home oral care,” Emery says. “It doesn’t reverse the effects of tooth decay, but it’s a great supplemental therapy.”
How to Oil Pull
Oil pulling is incredibly simple and effective. Here’s how to do it:
- Put about a tablespoon of oil in your mouth.
- Swish the oil around your mouth for about 15-20 minutes.
- Spit out the oil, then brush your teeth.
If you use coconut oil, 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.
Put the oil in your mouth, swish it around while in the shower and try to “push” and “pull” the oil between your teeth.
When you get out of the shower spit out the oil into the trash or toilet (not the sink… it can clog), rinse your mouth with water and then brush your 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.
Expert Tip
“Coconut and sunflower oil aren’t the only oils with dental health benefits. For irritated, inflamed gums, rub a little vitamin E oil directly on the surface. It’s rich in antioxidants, easily absorbed, and helps regenerate healthy gum tissue.” — Jessica Emery, DMD
Buy the Oils
I use Thrive Market to purchase my oils. If you want to purchase them from Thrive Market, you will need to purchase a membership. The annual cost is $59.95. You will easily save the membership cost in your first few purchases. The savings are between 25 – 50% off of retail prices at Thrive Market. I am a Thrive Market ambassador because I believe in the company and I love their philosophy. For every membership purchased Thrive Market donates a membership to a family in need. That is awesome!
DR. BRONNER’S ORGANIC FAIR TRADE VIRGIN COCONUT OIL
30 oz jar
$14.95 (Save 32%)
NUTIVA ORGANIC VIRGIN COCONUT OIL
29 oz jar
$16.45 (Save 33%)
SPECTRUM NATURALS ORGANIC REFINED SUNFLOWER OIL – FOR HIGH HEAT
32 oz bottle
$9.95 (Save 30%)
NAPA VALLEY NATURALS ORGANIC COLD PRESSED SESAME OIL
12.7 oz bottle
$5.25 (Save 30%)
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