What is Oil Pulling?

Coconut oil pulling is one of the best ways to remove bacteria and promote healthy teeth and gums!

It has taken quite some time, but oil pulling has finally gained some popularity in the United States.

Used primarily in Ayurvedic medicine, oil pulling is a fantastic oral detoxification procedure that is simply done by swishing a tablespoon of oil (typically coconut oil, olive or sesame oil) in your mouth for 10-20 minutes.

Oil pulling works by cleaning (detoxifying) the oral cavity in a similar way that soap cleans dirty dishes. It literally sucks the dirt (toxins) out of your mouth and creates a clean, antiseptic oral environment that contributes to the proper flow of dental liquid that is needed to prevent cavities and disease.

This unbelievably effective procedure has been used for centuries as a traditional India remedy to:

Cures tooth decay

Kills bad breath

Heals bleeding gums

Prevents heart disease

Reduces inflammation

Whitens teeth

Soothes throat dryness

Prevents cavities

Heals cracked lips

Boosts Immune System

Improves acne

Strengthens gums and jaw

Oil Pulling History

Most of us cannot even imagine what life would be like without brushing and flossing our teeth everyday. However, in the scheme of things, tooth brushing is relatively, new since nylon bristle toothbrushes didn’t become part of our normal American experience until the late 1930s!

It’s important to remember that, in spite of the fact that most people in American today were all raised with toothbrushes in our mouths, our ancestors didn’t brush their teeth with toothpaste for thousands of years. And, as far as archeological evidence Pyramides of Gizeh - Cairo, Egyptsuggests, most people throughout history lived until a ripe old age with most of their teeth intact and in a strong, healthy state.

Why didn’t their teeth rot?

Well, first of all, they ate real food and didn’t consume processed sugars and grains filled with phytic acid, which destroy tooth enamel. Secondly, they took care of their teeth through natural means like chew sticks that they rubbed against the teeth as has been found in Egyptian tombs dating to 3000 B.C. Third, depending on the culture and region of the world, many people also oil pulled.

The best oil for this is coconut oil, followed by sesame oil. 

Because coconut oil has been shown to:

Balance Hormones

Kill Candida

Improve Digestion

Moisturize Skin

Reduce Cellulite

Decrease Wrinkles and Age Spots

Balance Blood Sugar and Improve Energy

Improve Alzheimer’s

Increase HDL and Lower LDL Cholesterol

Burn Fat

Because it is highly absorbable, you can experience many of these benefits simply by oil pulling!

Coconut Oil Pulling: How-To

This is how I like to do coconut oil pulling:

Make sure to oil pull first thing in the morning right after you get out of bed before you brush your teeth or drink anything.

Gently swish 1 – 2 tablespoons of coconut oil in your mouth and between your teeth for 10-20 minutes making sure that you don’t swallow any of the oil. (Do this gently so you don’t wear out your jaw and cheeks!)

Spit out the oil in the trash (not the sink so it doesn’t clog up the plumbing…ask me how I know) and immediately rinse your mouth out with warm water (use salt water for added antimicrobial properties).

Finally, brush your teeth as normal.

Voila, easy as that!

I recommend oil pulling 3-4x per week with coconut oil and also adding essential oils to your mixture. Like clove, peppermint and orange.