Oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic practice where you swish oil in your mouth. This simple practice can naturally whiten your teeth, freshen your breath and even improve your gut health.
The Benefits of Oil Pulling
Oil pulling is a natural way to improve oral health by reducing harmful bacteria, preventing cavities, and minimizing plaque buildup. Additionally, its anti-inflammatory effects can soothe irritated gums, reducing symptoms of gingivitis and bleeding. Regular oil pulling may also help whiten teeth by gently lifting stains without the need for harsh chemicals. Beyond oral health, maintaining a cleaner mouth supports better digestion and gut health, as fewer toxins and bacteria enter the digestive system, potentially reducing bloating and promoting overall well-being.
Why Choose Coconut Oil For Oil Pulling
While various oils can be used for oil pulling, coconut oil stands out as one of the best choices due to its unique antibacterial and antifungal properties. Coconut oil contains lauric acid, a powerful antimicrobial compound that helps combat harmful bacteria, such as Streptococcus mutans, the primary culprit behind tooth decay and gum disease. Along with that, it simply has a more pleasant taste!
What To Look For When Buying Coconut Oil
The main things to look out for when buying coconut oil is organic, unrefined, cold-pressed, and in glass packaging.
- Organic: Look for certified organic coconut oil to ensure it is free from pesticides, additives, and harmful chemicals.
- Unrefined (Extra Virgin): Unrefined coconut oil undergoes minimal processing whereas refined coconut oils, on the other hand, may be processed with heat or chemicals, reducing their effectiveness.
- Cold-Pressed: This extraction method retains more of the oil’s natural enzymes and nutrients compared to heat-processed alternatives.
- Glass Jar Packaging: Coconut oil stored in glass jars is preferable to plastic, as plastic containers may leach harmful chemicals into the oil over time.
Here’s one I recommend below:
- 🥥 100% NATURAL & ORGANIC – Made from organic coconuts, our coconut oil is extracted using Cold Pressing, to help keep in…
- 🥥 ETHICALLY SOURCED: Ethical sourcing is core to everything we do – £2 goes directly to farmers for every litre of our o…
- 🥥 MULTI-PURPOSE COCONUT OIL – Wondering what to use it for? The possibilities are endless! You can cook it, fry it, bake…
How to Oil Pull
Oil pulling is an incredible simple technique, here’s how:
- Start by taking 1 tablespoon of coconut oil, and letting it melt in your mouth.
- Gently swish it around between 5-20 minutes. The longer you oil pull the more time it has to work its magic, I recommend at least for 5 minutes. I often will start my morning with coconut oil pulling whilst I go about my routine, 20 minutes can go by very fast.
- Lastly discard the oil into a bin – not in the sink as it will harden and clog your pipes.
And that’s it! It is recommended to practice oil pulling everyday for maximum benefits, so try to incorporate it into your morning or evening routine. The benefits of oil pulling is quite amazing for such a simple practice, many people report fresher breath within days, I personally noticed my gums improve dramatically in as little as a week. I hope this inspires you to start incorporating this practice into your daily routine.
