Ayurveda has the secrets to a beautiful and happy smile. Oil pulling is an ancient and traditional remedy for maintaining oral hygiene and having a beautiful smile. Oil pulling is the process of swishing oil in your mouth to help cleanse and detoxify your teeth and gums. Why the name “oil pulling”? It got its name from the affect of what the oil does in the mouth. Oils attract other oils and fat-soluble toxins, meaning they are lipophilic in that they “pull” out oils from a surface. Oils can also do this when applied topically to the body, which is why there is warm oil exercises and massages in Ayurveda, such as Panchakarma and Abhyanga.
Oil pulling gets ride if the harmful bacteria in the mouth. It helps whiten teeth, detoxify and cleanse the mouth, and also help reduce diseases such as arthritis, asthma, skin problems, and headaches. It has also been shown to reduce dental cavities, stimulate the lymphatic system, and improve overall digestion.
Oil pulling can be done with many different oils, but it needs to be an edible oil. For summer we suggest using edible coconut oil for it’s cooling and natural antimicrobial properties. When the oil is swished in the mouth it allows the digestive enzymes to break down the oil and activate it to pull out harmful bacteria and plaque. This is why it not only cleanses your mouth but also works to get rid of bad breath. Sulfur-producing bacteria cause bad breath and the oils help to get rid of these and support healthy microbes in your mouth.
How To Do It
Do it after you wake up but before food. Choose the oil that you like to use the most. The most common are sesame oil, olive, and coconut oil. We suggest sesame oil for the winter months for its warming properties. Small amounts of turmeric can also be added but will leave a yellow residue unless cleaned off. Use 1-2 tsp. of chosen oil. Swish the oil in your mouth for around 10- 20 minutes.
Tips are to do it while you are in the shower or doing dishes. Do not gargle or swallow the oil. Proceed to rinsing your mouth with warm water to get rid of any residual oil and then use a tongue cleaner. Then brush your teeth preferably with Ayurvedic toothpaste.
Start to feel confident in your smile! Oil pulling will give you a radiant and white smile and help your digestion as a whole. We suggest doing this every day or at least trying it to see how you like it. We want to see you at your brightest and feeling confident and healthy will make you shine.