Oil Pulling

Are you maintaining your dental hygiene in a proper manner?




brushed your teeth – ✓

flossed your teeth – ✓

scraped your tongue – ✓

Oil pulling – ???!!!



Wait, what’s that? Oil pulling? Did it pique your interest?

People have been using this oral hygiene technique for a very, very long time.

Ayurveda advises oil pulling, also known as gandusha kriya, as a morning ritual for removing microorganisms from the mouth and enhancing dental health and cleanliness. Swishing the oil around your teeth, tongue, and gums is how oil pulling is done.



600 different bacterial species can be found in your mouth. While some of the bacteria in your mouth are beneficial and contribute to the microbiome’s overall health, the remainder are harmful to your oral health and are to blame for problems like tooth decay, foul breath, bleeding gums, etc.



Through a straightforward process, oil pulling aids in the removal of these germs. A lipid membrane that is attached to the oil’s lipid structure encloses the unicellular bacteria. These germs separate from the soft tissues when you swirl the oil around your mouth, attach to the oil, and ultimately are flushed out when you spit the oil. Similar to how detergent eliminates dirt particles from clothing, this procedure.



When should I use oil pulling?

When should I pull oil? Before or after brushing, should you conduct oil pulling? Oil pulling is advised to be done after brushing your teeth and tongue-scraping. If you had to pick between doing oil pulling in the morning or at night, you should always do it first thing in the morning.



Gains from Oil Pulling

Let’s examine a few advantages of oil pulling:



Encourages healthy gums and teeth

Your teeth and gums must have a healthy oral microbiome, which requires regular maintenance. In your mouth, there is a type of bacteria called Streptococcus mutans that is one of the most frequent causes of tooth decay. Daily oil pulling for 10 to 15 minutes can help lower the amount of S. mutans in your mouth and shield you from dental issues.



Encourages Clean Breath

In addition to making you feel embarrassed, bad breath can harm your relationships. Sulfur-producing bacteria that live in small grooves on the tongue and the back of the throat are what produce bad breath. With the use of oil pulling and gargling, you may remove harmful bacteria from your mouth and have fresh, odourless breath.



Numerous studies have shown a connection between good oral hygiene and general health. The unhealthy bacteria that flourish in your mouth eventually enter your body with meals, leading to health issues and even potentially fatal heart inflammation.



By removing harmful oral bacteria on a daily basis, oil pulling supports your body’s natural detoxification process.



Favours healthy sinuses

There are a number of advantages of oil pulling for sinus health, despite the paucity of clinical studies in this field. Since the oral cavity and sinuses are connected, preserving a healthy oral microbiome can aid in preventing bacterial sinus infections.



Best oils for oil pulling

The most recommended oils are Coconut oil, Sesame oil, Olive oil. There are formulations in Ayurveda like Arimedadi oil which is a combination of different herbs and is used for oil pulling since long time.



How to perform oil pulling

Oil pulling is most beneficial when done on an empty stomach after brushing your teeth. Here are some straightforward guidelines for carrying out the task correctly.



Put one tablespoon of oil in your mouth.

Spend 15 minutes swishing the oil around in your mouth.

Start with 5 minutes rather than 15, as 15 minutes can be challenging for beginners.

Do not ingest the oil; instead, spit it out.

Rebalance your oral microbiome while you relax.

Rinse your mouth out with lukewarm water.





Happy Oral Health