Detox Benefits of Oil Pulling

shutterstock_coconut oil in oil pulling skin care coconut with oil Benefits of Oil Pulling

Oil Pulling is wellness therapy that been around for hundreds of years. I perform oil pulling daily and consider it to be a valuable tool for health, wellness, and healthy aging plan–yes, I plan now to age well.

What is oil pulling?

It is a simple process of swishing oil around in your mouth for 15 minutes, then spitting the oil out in a garbage can (never down the drain as the oil will harden and clog the drain).

How Does it work?

As you swish the oil around in your mouth, the oil soaks up and effectively “pulls” disease causing bacteria and their toxins our from the around your teeth and gums. This is a cleansing process that is better than brushing or using an antiseptic mouth wash.

Oil pulling removes germs from your mouth. Every microorganism has an outer layer made of fat. When you put oil in your mouth, the outer fat layer of the germ is attracted to it. As you swish the oil around in your mouth, and the oil moves between your teeth and around your gums, the swishing oil pulls the germs into the oil like a magnet.

By removing germs from your mouth, you decrease your risk for dental diseases like cavities and gum infections. You also reduce your risk for overall disease because there are fewer germs that can enter your bloodstream when you bleed from a cut on your gums or in your mouth. Fewer germs in the blood stream mean less disease in your body. A good example of what I am talking about? People who need antibiotics before they have dental work done are proactively preventing a disease in their body from the germs that are released into bloodstream from any dental work. My dad is one of those people. He needs to take antibiotics before any dental work, including simple cleaning, to prevent the germs from his mouth that enter his blood stream from damaging his heart valves.

Although they are microscopic and cannot be seen, your mouth is host to billions of microorganisms. Some are protective and play an important role in maintaining your health, and some aren’t. Your mouth is the perfect breeding ground for living organisms to thrive. It’s warm, and moist, and there is plenty of sugar to feed the bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa that live in your mouth. Brushing and using antiseptic mouth washes are only successful in removing about 60-70% of them.

What do I use for oil pulling?

I recommend virgin coconut oil.

How do I oil Pull?

Buy a jar of virgin coconut oil. Coconut oil is solid at room temperature. Scoop out about 1-2T of oil. You can place the hardened oil into you mouth and let it melt in your mouth, or you can warm it on the stove slightly and let it melt into a liquid before putting it your mouth. It’s just a matter or personal preference. (I am a busy girl, so I just let the oil melt in my mouth rather than melt it.)
Swish the oil vigorously around your mouth, in between your teeth–really move the oil around in your mouth–for 15 minutes. Do not swallow the oil.
Spit the oil out into a garbage can. Do not spit the oil down a drain–it will harden in your pipes.
Repeat this daily.

ProTips for Oil Pulling:

*Oil pulling is most effective when done first thing in the morning, after you brush your teeth, on an empty stomach.

*If you can’t oil pull for 15 minutes to begin with, no problem. I started with 3 minutes and slowly increased my oil pulling over time. I gradually Worked up to 15 minutes daily. You can do the same.

*Never swallow the oil.

*Never spit the oil down the drain–it will harden and clog your drain.

*It is very common to experience what I call a “healing crisis” after starting oil pulling. This is your body’s way of finding a new balance after removing toxins, and can feel like “detox” symptoms. Some people report a sore throat, a toothache, or even feel tired or a little flu-ish. This is normal–your body is healing (thus, the phrase “healing crisis”). This doesn’t mean that oil pulling isnt good for you. It means that oil pulling is working well for you; that it is pulling toxins and germs from your mouth, gums and around your teeth, that have been hiding in your mouth for a while. Keep oil pulling daily and Don’t stop! You will feel better soon.

I have felt a difference in my energy and healthy since I have been oil pulling and consider it to be an important tool that I use to maintain my health and wellness. I also consider it to be a valuable componenet for healthy aging, and aging well.

Live Life Optimally,

Kristie