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You Can Reduce Harmful Bacteria with Just a Swish

What is Oil Pulling and How Does It Work?

Oil pulling involves swishing oil around the mouth, using it like a mouthwash. It is a type of Ayurvedic medicine (a traditional Indian system) that dates back 3,000 years. There is a great deal of recent scientific research which shows that oil pulling helps against gingivitis, plaque, and microorganisms that cause bad breath.

In order to oil pull, you put a tablespoon of oil in your mouth, then swish it around for 15-20 minutes. The main benefit of doing this, is that it reduces the amount of harmful bacteria in the mouth. There are actually thousands of different types of bacteria in the mouth. Some of them are friendly, others are not. The bacteria in the mouth create a “biofilm” on the teeth – a thin layer that they use to adhere to the surface. This is what we know as “plaque.”

Having some plaque on your teeth is normal, but if it gets out of hand it can cause all sorts of problems, including bad breath, yellow teeth, gum inflammation, gingivitis and cavities.

The way oil pulling works is simple. When you swish the oil around your mouth, the bacteria “get stuck” in it and dissolve in the liquid oil. Basically, you remove a large amount of the bacteria and plaque in your mouth each time you do this.

Types of Oil

Traditionally, the Native Americans used other oils such as sesame oil or sunflower oil. The taste of coconut oil is fairly pleasant compared to other oils.

Oil pulling should work with pretty much any oil you choose, but coconut oil offers many health benefits. The Lauric Acid (one of the fatty acids in coconut oil) is proven to be antimicrobial… it can kill bacteria, viruses and fungi.

Oil Pulling Can Reduce Harmful Bacteria in the Mouth

Streptococcus Mutans is one of the main bacteria in the mouth and a key player in plaque buildup and tooth decay. In a study from 2008, oil pulling (using sesame oil) caused a reduction in the number of Streptococcus Mutans in the plaque in as little as 2 weeks.

Oil Pulling Can Reduce Plaque and Gingivitis

Gingivitis is caused by inflammation of the gums and happens when the immune system starts attacking the bacteria in the plaque. Another study compared oil pulling and chlorhexidine in adolescents with plaque-induced gingivitis. Both oil pulling and chlorhexidine mouthwash were effective against gingivitis.

Oil Pulling Can Reduce Bad Breath

Bad breath, otherwise known as halitosis, is in many cases (not all) caused by the smell of chemicals and gases produced by bacteria in the mouth. It makes sense that if you get rid of some of these bacteria, you reduce bad breath.

In a third study of adolescents, oil pulling therapy significantly reduced all markers for bad breath and was just as effective as chlorhexidine mouthwash.

How to Oil Pull

Oil pulling is incredibly simple and effective.

Here’s how to do it:

  1. Put about a tablespoon of oil in your mouth.
  2. Swish the oil around your mouth for about 15-20 minutes (start with 5 minutes and slowly work up to 15-20 minutes). Try to “push” and “pull” the oil between teeth.
  3. 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. One idea is to do it while I taking a shower and getting ready in the morning.

There is no need to use a lot of force, 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.

What to Expect

You will notice that your breath is fresher and teeth look a lot cleaner… both whiter and shinier.

Oil pulling is effective at reducing the harmful bacteria in your mouth and improving oral and dental health. Given that inflammation can cause all sorts of health problems, it does make sense that reducing inflammation in the gums and mouth could lead to benefits for overall health as well.

Source: AuthorityNutrition.com, WebMD