Oil Pulling - A Habit That Transforms Your Oral Health
Sesame Oil Pulling | How to Pull | Benefits
Oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic remedy for oral health and detoxification. It uses pure oils as agents for pulling harmful bacteria, fungus, and other organisms out of the mouth, teeth, gums, and even throat.
Sesame Oil Pulling
Oil pulling with sesame oil provides many advantages for oral health. In Ayurveda, Sesame oil has got a lot of recognition and was used as a base in several medicines. Its antibacterial qualities help control oral problems like gingival plaque. Also, the presence of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties heals swelling and bleeding gum.
How to oil pull?
Here are the 4 simple steps to do oil pulling:
- Measure one tablespoon of sesame oil, preferably wood-pressed.
- Swish it around in your mouth for 15–20 minutes, being careful not to swallow any.
- Spit the oil into a trash can once done.
- Rinse your mouth well using water before eating or drinking anything.
What does oil pulling do?
Oil pulling can kill bacteria in the mouth and improve dental health. Some alternative medicine practitioners also claim that it can help treat several diseases. Here are some of the science-backed benefits of oil pulling-
1. Kills the harmful bacteria in your mouth
There are approximately 350 different types of bacteria that reside in your mouth all the time. Most of these bacteria are responsible for oral problems like cavities and gum problems. Studies show that oil pulling can help reduce the number of bacteria in your mouth. Oil can cleanse out harmful bacteria, as well as reduce fungal overgrowth.
2. Helps reduce bad breath
Halitosis, also known as bad breath, is a condition that affects an estimated 50% of the population. Although the reasons for it may vary widely, oil pulling is one of the traditional methods used to reduce it. A study showed that sesame oil and chlorhexidine are equally effective for treating bad breath.
3. Helps prevent cavities, improve gum health and reduce inflammation
Oil pulling may also increase saponification in the mouth, creating a soapy environment that cleanses the mouth. Specifically, using sesame oil as an oral health agent helps to reduce the number of germs in both teeth plaque, and mouth saliva. The lipids in the oil both pull out bacteria, as well as stop bacteria from sticking to the walls of the oral cavity. There is also anecdotal evidence that oil pulling could be a natural way to whiten your teeth.
4. Other possible benefits for oral health
Apart from the above-mentioned benefits, oil pulling also helps in the overall strengthening of the teeth and gums, and jaws. It is also a holistic remedy for bleeding gums and also prevents dryness of the lips, mouth, and throat.
5. Benefits beyond the mouth
According to an ancient Ayurvedic belief that oil pulling could help fight more than just mouth and throat diseases. Other benefits include migraine/headache relief, increases energy, aids hormone changes, helps reduce insomnia, keeps your skin clear, reduces hangover after alcohol consumption, and helps detoxify the body.
One of the most common misconceptions is that sesame oil pulling can replace brushing your teeth. It is necessary for us to remove plaque. Oil pulling with sesame oil or any other oil should never be a replacement for brushing, that would only increase the risk of getting cavities.
When you start with sesame oil pulling, you might experience some of the positive effects immediately, or it may take a few days or even weeks. It will very much depend on the state of your health, to begin with, and how compromised your immune system is. Either way, this is an easy and cheap way to boost your oral health.
