Healthy Living: Ayurvedic Oil Pulling

Have you heard of oil pulling? I've read a lot about it lately, so I decided to give it a try! I've been oil pulling now for 3 weeks, and can honestly say I love it. Let me give you a little background...

Oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic dental health practice used to remove heavy metals, bad bacteria & toxins from the body. It involves swishing oil in the mouth, and pulling it between the teeth. The recommended oil to use is coconut oil {I buy the Nutiva brand at Costco}. You want to oil pull on an empty stomach, first thing in the morning. Many people have reported oil pulling has whitened their teeth, reduced plaque, improved both oral hygiene / gum health in general, and even gotten rid of cavities!

Here are the 5 simple steps to get started:

1) Measure 1 Tbsp. of coconut oil on a spoon, and let the oil melt in your mouth {Note: if your coconut oil is solid, it will melt quickly, usually within 30 seconds}. If 1 Tbsp. seems like too much liquid in your mouth, you can start with 1 tsp. instead.

2) Swish the oil around your mouth & pull it between the teeth for 20 minutes. Be sure you don't swallow any of the liquid {since it now contains the toxins it has pulled from your body!}.

3) Spit the oil out into a garbage can. Don't spit it out into a sink because the oil can solidify & potentially clog your drain.

4) Fill a glass with warm water, 1/2 tsp. of baking soda, and a 1/2 tsp. of salt. Thoroughly rinse your mouth by swishing & gargling.

5) Brush your teeth with fluoride-free toothpaste and floss. I use Tom's of Maine. {After brushing your teeth, rinse your toothbrush under hot water for at least 10 seconds to remove any toxins left on it.}

That's it! My mouth feels so clean after oil pulling; I've noticed less plaque, healthier gums, and my tongue looks pink and healthy. I'll give you another update in a few months. It is safe to oil pull every day - you can even do it up to 3 times a day if you like. This book is a great resource if you would like to learn more about the benefits of oil pulling.

Have you tried oil pulling? What results have you had? 


** As always, you should check with your dentist before starting oil pulling {especially if you have amalgam fillings}.