Oil Pulling

 

Oil Pulling

I covered the Ayurvedic practice of oil pulling for healthy teeth & gums in a previous column. It is such an effective daily practice for maintaining overall health and is easy to do at home.

I will outline the steps again for oil pulling and its many health benefits – it’s worth re-visiting for those that missed my first column on it and also because of the amount of sweets we usually enjoy over the holidays. Sugar not only can cause cavities but also lowers the immune system. Oil pulling removes bacteria, helps prevents cavities and it also boosts your immune system!

I recommend unrefined, organic, fair trade coconut oil for oil pulling. However, extra virgin olive oil, unrefined sesame oil and unrefined sunflower oil can also be used for pulling bad bacteria, viruses and protozoa from the mouth.

Oil pulling is simple enough, you just have to set the time aside for it. You’ll be swishing a small amount of the oil vigorously for anywhere from 5-20 minutes, so you won’t be able to answer the phone or talk to anyone. First, brush and floss your teeth and then swish with warm water that has a small amount of sea salt – this prepares the mouth for oil pulling.

Start swishing a small amount of oil for as long as you can. Spit all of the oil out into a lined trash can when you’re finished. Don’t spit it into the sink! The oil could cause a clog. Also, do not swallow any of it – it is toxic at this point because it has pulled the toxicity from your mouth. Next, swish again with warm water to remove all residue and brush & floss once more using a truly all-natural toothpaste such as Auromere Brand. (A lot of toothpastes claim “All-Natural” and aren’t. This brand is legit.)

Oil pulling can help rebuild and whiten your teeth, restore your gums and remove infection. Gum disease may be a risk factor for heart disease, so oil pulling is good to add to your cardioprotective regimen. Also, “leaky gums” can occur when bad bacteria isn’t thoroughly removed and can cause: inflammation, receding gums and even destruction of the jaw bone.

Another step after brushing, flossing and oil pulling is to swish or brush with a small amount of diluted hydrogen peroxide. Follow that with swishing or brushing with baking soda. You can put baking soda directly onto your tooth brush and gently brush or you can place a small amount into water and swish.

Tea tree oil is another great tool for a healthy mouth. After oil pulling, massage it directly onto your teeth and gums or swish with it. You can also put a couple of drops onto your floss before flossing.

If you’re experiencing excessive swelling, pain, abscess or any serious issue and nothing is helping, it may be time to have it checked by a professional. Use your best judgement. These are just some tips for things you can do at home when the issue is still manageable.

Oil pulling first thing in the morning is said to be best. It is definitely worth setting aside the time to oil pull every day or at least 3-5 days a week.

Here are some of the health benefits you will receive if you do this regularly:

*healing of bleeding gums;

*prevention of plaque formation, cavities & gingivitis;

*detoxifying of the body;

*healthy immune system;

*shortening the life of cold & flu;

*can also help prevent you from catching a cold;

*anti-inflammatory;

*removal of bad bacteria in the mouth before it makes its way into the rest of the body;

*teeth-whitening;

*supports healthy kidney function;

*improves bad breath.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Be Well and God Bless You

Jenifer Wimmer