Oil whaat? People are talking about oil pulling but what is it and what does it do? Oil pulling is an ancient folk remedy that supports oral health and has many other health benefits.
 

What does it do?

Using pure oils, such as coconut or sesame oil, help to pull toxic organisms, bacteria and fungus out of your mouth, teeth and gums. The oil blends with saliva in your mouth and lipids, (fats) in the oil, pull out toxins from your saliva. By swishing the oil around in your mouth, you continue to pull out toxins from your teeth, gums, tongue and even your throat. The liquid should turn into a thick, white, viscous consistency. Once this happens you are ready to spit it out. Oil pulling helps to pull out toxins helping to reduce inflammation. It also helps to detoxify your body from these harmful organisms.
 

How do you do it?

Oil pulling requires you to use organic unrefined coconut oil or organic pressed sesame oil. You take one tablespoon of either oil (not both) and swish it around your mouth for 10-15 minutes. Once it reaches a thick, white, viscous consistency, spit it out. At first, your mouth can get a little tired since you are not used to using it in this manner for such long periods of time. But by using your mouth in new ways you are actually strengthening it.
 

Other Benefits

There are many other possible benefits to oil pulling, it helps with:

Headaches

Migraines

Allergies

Reduce sinus congestions

Bad breath

Whitening of teeth

Asthma

Acne

Diabetes

Strengthening of teeth, gums and jaw

Reduce inflammation for arthritis

Reduced hangover

Reduces pain

Detoxifies body of harmful metals

My personal experience:

I have been oil pulling for a few months now. Within the first two weeks of oil pulling I had my regular 6-month check up at the dentist. I typically take good care of my teeth, brushing at least twice a day and flossing occasionally. My dentist in the past has always told me that I brush well, but need to floss more. My gums would always bleed when I was at the dentist. They would ask me if I floss, how often, and tell me that my gums are ok but I needed to take better care of them. Well after only two weeks of oil pulling, I had the best check-up I’ve ever had! The dentist told me my gums and teeth looked great! They did not bleed, and she was very happy with my dental hygiene. The only behavior I had changed since last seeing the dentist was oil pulling. I find my teeth are getting whiter and it appears that my gums are healthier, according to the dentist. Even though there is not enough scientific evidence to completely back up the benefits of oil pulling, I see a difference and my dentist obviously does too!

I also want to talk about allergies. Yuck! Living in the North East, allergies start to take over my life every spring! For the past few years I have experienced headaches everyday, sore throat, sneezing, red eyes and so on. The reason I started oil pulling was because I had read of the benefits that oil pulling has on allergies. Since I have been oil pulling my allergy symptoms have significantly decreased! This spring season, my throat never got sore and my nose was not congested. The only symptom I continued to have occasionally was a headache, which I cannot fully attribute to allergies. I am so pleased with the results I have received from oil pulling! And it doesn’t hurt that my teeth look whiter too.

Scientists and people are skeptical about oil pulling, but as an avid user of oil pulling I can tell you that it has worked for me. What’s the harm in trying it? You might just light up someone’s day with your new whiter smile.