Oil pulling is an ancient dental technique that involves swishing edible oil in your mouth.
This technique has gained worldwide popularity due to its purported effectiveness in removing bacteria and promoting oral hygiene.
The simple technique of taking two tablespoons of coconut oil in the mouth and squishing can pull bacteria from the hidden corner of your mouth where your brush cannot reach.
Doing this can also help to moisturise the gums and increase the production of saliva. Apart from maintaining your oral hygiene, oil pulling also has some amazing health benefits.
Here are 5 reasons why you must include oil pulling in your daily routine.
1. Maintain oral hygiene
Studies suggest that approximately 600 different types of bacteria live in our mouths. Some of them are healthy, while others can lead to oral problems like tooth decay and gum diseases. Oil pulling regularly in the morning can help to reduce the number of bad bacteria in the mouth. This technique can also help to reduce oral issues in kids, who often suffer from tooth decay related issues from a younger age.
2. Prevents cavities and reduces gum inflammation
Cavities are a common issue of tooth decay that is caused due to poor oral hygiene and bacteria build up around teeth which leads to holes in them. The bacteria destroys the enamel of the teeth and leads to tooth decay. Oil pulling flushes out such bacteria, reducing the risk of cavities. Moreover, it is also an effective remedy for gum bleeding and swollen gums.
3. Reduces bad breath
Bad breath or Halitosis is a common oral health-related issue witnessed in about 50 per cent of the population. One of the major reasons for bad breath is poor oral hygiene and coating on the tongue, which traps the bacteria and causes bad breath. To reduce the bad breath, scraping the tongue and oil pulling can be the two best options. Oil pulling is a natural way to reduce bacteria from the mouth and is quite effective.
4. Improves digestive health
If you often suffer from the problem of indigestion, oil pulling can be an extremely effective home remedy. Swishing oil in your mouth can stimulate your digestive tract, which can boost the process of digestion and reduce the episodes of constipation. Another benefit is that it can balance and cut down the risk of chronic diseases.
5. Good for heart health
Studies carried out to understand the long term benefits of oil pulling also highlights that the ancient home remedy is also good for heart health. Research suggests that bad oral hygiene can lead to bad heart health. When you perform oil pulling, it promotes the growth of good bacteria in the saliva, as a result, you make better food choices that can keep your heart healthy and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
The choice of oil
Oil pulling works the best with coconut oil. According to Ayurveda, organic, extra-virgin or unrefined coconut oil is more effective than any other type of oil like olive oil, sunflower oil. It has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties. Along with that, it is edible and safe. Try not to do oil pulling forcefully and do not swallow the oil. The best time to do oil pulling is in the morning on an empty stomach.
How to do oil pulling
Step 1: Take a tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth and swish it around for 1 minute.
Step 2: Spit out the oil into the basin and rinse your mouth with water. You can start with 1 minute and then increase your timing.
