So, I meet my girl recently for a bite to eat. We hadn’t seen each other in a while. We are sitting there catching up and I cannot help but stare. Her teeth were gleaming! I have friends who have done the teeth whitening products and they definitely brightened up their smiles, but not this type of wattage! I couldn’t help myself. I interrupted her in the middle of a conversation. I had to tell her. “Your teeth are beautiful!” As we age, that’s not usually the case. I pretty much always had a mouthful of white teeth. Even when I neglected the gums by being too lazy to floss, my teeth were still white. They weren’t discolored. The key word being “weren’t.” As I have aged, I have definitely noticed my teeth aging as well, but real talk, I could do better. I had to know what she was doing. I mean, she always had a pretty smile, but these teeth were a brilliant white! Were they real? So, I asked. Her reply? Oil pulling.
I’ve done it in the past. I never really committed to it, but I would do it here and there for a few weeks at a time. I wasn’t consistent. I stopped when I was convinced that it resulted in a block salivary gland and a trip to the ER when it became infected. That may or may not have been the reason, but I have to admit, it happened on two separate occasions, and both times it wad during my oil pulling phase. That said, I now know where I went wrong!
Oil pulling, for those that don’t know, is a traditional Ayurvedic practice of maintaining oral hygiene by utilizing the antimicrobial property of natural oils. It involves taking a tablespoon of oil in your mouth, swishing and pulling it between your teeth and around your mouth for about 15-20 minutes, and then spitting it out. The practice is recommended as a part of the morning routine, along with brushing and flossing. Swishing the oil between teeth is believed to “pull” the bacteria, viruses, germs, and toxins out of the mouth. As a result, the color of oil changes to that of milky white with a thin consistency.
Although clinical studies are mostly limited to the dental health benefits of the practice, the benefits of oil pulling are in no way limited to oral health. Traditional practitioners believe that oil pulling, when done correctly and consistently, can help with as many as thirty diseases affecting the entire body. It is said to help with headaches, migraines, hormonal imbalances, acne, arthritis, asthma, constipation, allergies, stiff joints, heart diseases, and many other chronic conditions. So, how is that possible? And it is total BS? Maybe not.
If you read my prior post on dental health, you know that research has shown a close relationship between oral health and systemic diseases (health problems that affect the entire body). Our mouth serves as a direct entry point to the digestive tract and the respiratory tract. With poor oral hygiene, bacteria can multiply in the mouth and lead to infections like gingivitis, tooth decay, or dental cavities. In some cases, microbes can enter the bloodstream directly through the diseased tooth or inflamed periodontal tissues (pink flesh surrounding the teeth). According to a 2015 research paper titled “Oral Health and Nutrition as Gatekeepers to Overall Health,” oral cavities could indeed serve as a portal for entry and transmission of disease-causing microbes. In fact, oral cavities are identified as an early manifestation of many chronic diseases, including diabetes and osteoporosis.
Poor oral hygiene and oral cavities are known to contribute to the following conditions:
- Diabetes: An inflammation in the periodontal tissue begins weakening the body’s ability to utilize insulin. This can lead to higher sugar levels and increased blood pressure.
- Endocarditis: Bacteria may enter the bloodstream through an inflamed gum and cause a life-threatening inflammation in the inner lining of the heart valves.
- Hardened arteries
- Pneumonia and other respiratory infections
- Worsening allergies
- Bone loss
- Premature birth and low birth weight
- Fertility problems
- Blood clots
- Sinus infections
- Skin problems
Experts suggest that most of these conditions can be prevented by simply taking care of your oral health. In fact, studies have suggested that the prevention of dental cavities and periodontal diseases can significantly reduce the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Even in people with diabetes, good oral care is known to help control sugar levels.
Health Benefits of Oil Pulling
1. Oral hygiene
The vigorous swishing of oil and its subsequent saponification cleanses the mouth of harmful pathogens while also moisturizing gums and increasing saliva production. The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of oil help kill the bacteria and soothe inflammation inside the mouth. Research has shown that oil pulling can significantly reduce the number of bacteria in the mouth and reduce the risk of dental caries. It has been shown to help in the prevention of plaque formation, bad breath, tooth decay, gum inflammation, cavities, and gingivitis (1, 2).
Regular practice of oil pulling is considered a holistic way to support dental health and hygiene. It is believed to strengthen gums and promote cleaner, whiter teeth. The use of nourishing oils also helps with dry mouth conditions, sore throat, and chapped lips. An increase in saliva production further helps improve oral hygiene, as saliva can neutralize the acid produced by the bacteria and prevent their overgrowth. Oil pulling is considered particularly beneficial for older individuals and those with diabetes, as a weakened immune system can put your gums at risk.
2. Supports detoxification
Oil pulling is believed to aid the body in removing chemical and environmental toxins from the entire body through saliva. This is done by activating the salivary enzymes which then absorb the toxins from the blood, as well as from the tongue. As the skin inside our mouth is porous, regular cleaning also prevents toxins from passing into the bloodstream by the way of our mouth. Ayurveda maps different parts of the tongue to different organs such as the small intestine, colon, kidney, liver, heart, chest, and pancreas. Proper cleansing of the tongue is very important because it not only helps remove toxins buildup from different organs but also stimulates taste buds.
3. Clears sinuses and may help with allergies
Regular cleansing of your mouth prevents microbes and toxins from entering the body and can significantly reduce the risk of an agitated immune response. This can prevent excess mucus production, seasonal flu, colds, and allergies like asthma and eczema from worsening. Movement of the jaw also aids lymphatic circulation around your sinuses, draining and clearing any fluid buildup.
4. Other health benefits
There are about 700 types of bacteria in our mouth, and our body is constantly trying to prevent them from entering the digestive or respiratory organs. This puts significant stress on our immune system. Oil pulling is simply an easy way to keep our mouth amazingly clean. As a result, you may experience fewer infections, clearer skin, improved mood and hormones, regular bowel movements, better immune response, and a reduced frequency of recurring headaches.
The Right Way to Do Oil Pulling
- Take a small amount of oil in your mouth. Coconut and sesame oils are generally preferred, but other cold-pressed oils with antimicrobial properties, such as olive and sunflower, are also considered good for the purpose.
- Swish it around your mouth for about 15-20 minutes. As a beginner, you may want to start with just 4-5 minutes and then increase the duration gradually. However, be sure to use a small amount of oil and not swallow it.
- Spit it into a trashcan or paper towel, as throwing it into the sink can clog pipes.
- Wash your mouth thoroughly with warm saline water and follow with regular brushing.
Okay, so I’m back to the practice. I need my teeth to look like my girl’s! Hell, I just need teeth! I can say that it has helped with sensitivity issues. I obviously do not want to end up back in the ER with a blocked gland, so I take the time to not only rinse my mouth out multiple times with warm to hot water, I also use a mouth rinse. I then follow that up with brushing. In all honestly, that is a step that I missed in the past that likely cause the blockage. You also do NOT want to swallow it. I cannot say this enough. RINSE THOROUGHLY! And, be sure to rinse after pulling with warm saline as instructed above. I know I see a difference! My friend’s teeth we gleaming! As with all things, there is a lot of conflicting info and opinions available, so as always do your homework. I share honest opinions and personal experiences, combined with my own and paid research. And as always, consult with your doctors!