When it comes to a weight loss journey, there are just so many diets and tricks that you need to be aware. Oil pulling is one of the tricks out there to help you shed the pounds and drop the dress sizes. Before you even think about starting, you need to know absolutely everything about it. Here are the details in one place to help you decide whether this is for you or not.
What Exactly Is Oil Pulling?
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Before you get to know benefits and downsides of this diet trick, you need to know exactly what it is. After all, if you don’t know then how can you even use it?
Oil pulling in short is the process of swishing oils around your mouth. It can be coconut, olive or even almond oil, as long as you do it for 15 to 20 minutes. It replaces your mouthwash, and the benefits have been noticed throughout history; right back to Ayurveda folklore.
Of course, something that dates back so far is not necessarily going to be good for you. However, this is one of those that stands the test of time and scientists have found, it does offer the body and your diet some benefits. It could be a natural, cheaper option than your household mouthwash!
How Does Oil Pulling Work?
The process of oil pulling works in the same way as a mouthwash. The idea is that the bacteria and germs in your mouth are attracted to the oil. They cling to the slippery substance, so they leave your mouth completely. This helps to remove a plaque build-up from your teeth and give you fresher breath.
You don’t need a lot of oil either, which is why you don’t get the slimy feeling in your mouth or on your teeth afterwards (something many people understandably worry about). You can build up the amount you use, as you get used to the taste and feeling.
Many recommend that you start with just a tablespoon of your oil of choice. One with a slight flavouring, like coconut or sesame oil, could be better to get you started. Swish that around your mouth gently, and spend 15 to 20 minutes doing this. It may sound like a lot of time, but it really does help to remove all the bacteria build up in your mouth. The best time to do it is in a morning before you eat or drink anything. Your mouth will have a build-up of bacteria throughout the night and possibly still some from the day before. That doesn’t mean it’s the only time to do it; just the best time.
As you get used to the taste, you can go up to two tablespoons if you wish. You won’t need—or want—much more than this. Some people prefer just the one tablespoon because it seems a little better during the days where you just do not want to be at the sink for almost half an hour!
There’s no need to swish too hard in the mouth. Gently doing it makes sure the oil does all the hard work. This is another reason it takes much longer than mouthwash. During the time, try to hold the oil just in your mouth. It’s great for when you get tired of the swishing, and your mouth certainly will over time!
Once you’ve finished, spit the oil out. The last thing you want is to put all that bacteria and plaque in your body. It is always best to spit this into the trash and not down the drain. Oil solidifies at certain temperatures and can cause drain blockages. You would never pour oil down the drain, so why would you spit it out after using it in your mouth?
This is something that you will need to spend time getting used to. Let it become a healthy, positive habit on a daily basis. If you don’t think you have the time—you can always get on with other aspects of your morning or evening routine while swishing!—then you could try making an oil chew instead; more on that later.
Financial Benefits of Oil Pulling
Now that you know all about oil pulling, it’s time to find out why you should make it a habit. The biggest benefit is that this is a natural option compared to your mouthwash.
You may have seen the long list of ingredients in your mouthwash, but do you know what they are or what they can do to your body? What are they doing to the enamel on your teeth? Not all mouthwashes are enamel-friendly, and some dentists have gone onto not recommend using them!
Oil doesn’t have all the chemicals. It is full of natural goodness, including numerous vitamins and minerals your body will need. Even if you don’t swallow the oil (which you shouldn’t be doing!), you can benefit because many of the nutrients will absorb into your body through the little cuts and gaps in your mouth and gums (sometimes even help to stop snoring too).
It is also something you’ll probably already have in your cupboard, which means you spend less at the grocery store. There is no longer the need to spend a fortune on mouthwash on a monthly basis, and you’ll likely use less oil than you would have done the mouthwash.
Benefits to Your Oral Health
Another major benefit is to your oral health. As mentioned, there were many in the ancient world that believed oil would remove plaque and bacteria, and this is certainly the case. Research has shown that the bacteria cling to the oil, which improves your oral health instantly. This does mean that your teeth are protected from cavities, and your gums are protected from gingivitis.
On top of that, your gums, jaw and teeth will be strengthened. Bacteria often destroy the muscles and framework in the mouth, and this tends to weaken all aspects. By getting rid of all potential issues, you will keep your teeth for longer and have a jaw that will handle everything it could during your 20’s when you’re in your 80’s.
While your teeth are cavity free, the oil will help to whiten teeth. There are other natural ways to whiten teeth, but why worry about them when you can get so many other health benefits at the same time?
Curing Hangovers, Migraines and Toxin Build Up
Those pesky hangovers will be a thing of the past with oil. By swishing it around your mouth, you increase the number of nutrients your body gets, which will add them back in. Alcohol often makes it harder for the body to benefit from nutrients, because of the build-up of toxins. The oil, whether it is coconut or even sunflower, will remove the toxins from the body, so you are ready to tackle the day ahead.
Getting rid of the toxin build up is beneficial in other ways. Toxins tend to lead to various health problems, including kidney and urinary stones. They are extremely painful and could mean your organs don’t work as they should. This can then lead to more toxin build up and it becomes a vicious circle.
Removing the toxins will remove health risks. It can even lower the possibility of having organs, such as your gallbladder, removed due to the toxins deteriorating them so much.
If you are pregnant, the good news is that this is still completely safe to do. While it removes toxins, it does not cause any harm to the baby. Oil is a natural and organic option. It’s best to choose something with more nutrients than your usual sunflower oil.
Keeps Your Skin Clear
If you have bad skin, you should start oil pulling today. This is a health benefit partially due to the removal of toxins. Your body can excrete some toxins through your skin, leaving it oily and full of acne. When you remove the toxins in other ways, your skin doesn’t have to deal with the dirty work. It can be left looking luxurious and soft.
Oil pulling won’t do everything on its own. You will still need to focus on a good diet and good skin care. Make sure you remove your makeup at the end of the day and moisturize on a daily basis. You also want to focus on exfoliating. Remember you can do all this naturally, by focusing on these 12 natural products for good skin care [link to the piece about back acne needed].
While getting rid of acne, oil pulling can also work for other skin conditions. It helps to promote healthy oil levels in the body, which can help dry skin conditions. Eczema and psoriasis could be a thing of the past. However, it is worth continuing any treatments your dermatologist has recommended. With oil pulling being natural, it can usually be used with prescription medication.
Other Health Benefits of Oil Pulling
There are just so many benefits to oil pulling. Some of the other advantages that people and scientists have noticed are that it helps people sleep better, improves energy levels and helps to reduce sinus problems. It can also help you get over your allergies and work as a natural pain relief.
It also helps to treat bad breath. This is linked to all the other oral benefits of oil pulling. You get rid of the bacteria build up that is known for causing bad breath. Just make sure you get the oil to the back of the throat, as well as within all corners of the mouth.
There may be some weight loss benefits to oil pulling, too. If you feel better about yourself, you are less likely to eat a lot of chocolate. Plus, do you really want to outdo all the good work that you have done for the 20 minutes of swishing?
Your organs will work effectively because of a lack of toxin build up, too, and you’re more likely to stick to a healthier and lower-calorie diet to help encourage all the benefits of oil pulling to take place.
It Doesn’t Replace Brushing and Flossing
While there are so many health benefits, you need to use this trick sensibly.This isn’t something to replace your regular brushing and flossing routine. It can replace the mouthwash, but not all the rest. It’s not going to get all the plaque that can often get right in between the teeth and into the lining of the gums. If you don’t brush, you could still find you end up with cavities.
It won’t stop some problems in your jaw, such as teeth grinding. While you may get treatment for the symptoms, you will still need to get the cause of the problem treated. Visiting your dentist regularly is still important, along with good oral hygiene.
It’s all about working everything together for the benefit of your health. If you really want to see the benefits from oil pulling, you need to give it the good base from which to start working.
There is still a lot of research that needs to happen to find out all the benefits of oil pulling. However, people have noticed many of those already mentioned above. When it comes to oral hygiene, it is something worth adding to your list of things to do, and it could completely replace your mouthwash. Not only will that be some money saving, but you could protect your mouth from some of the chemicals in the products.
It doesn’t matter which type of oil you use, but coconut oil is one of the best options. It offers health benefits of its own and is something worth considering whether you want to improve your life naturally or lose weight.
If you are allergic to coconut or you dislike the taste, there are other types of oils that you can benefit from, including sesame and olive oils.
Since the process is designed to improve your health by improving your lifestyle, it’s safe to say it is one of the most effective and most efficient way to have a total change in your choices for a better life.
Oil pulling may sound like a lot of work at first, but your health is worth it. And so are your finances!
Check out more info on oil pulling here:
Coconut Oil Pulling (All You Need to Know)
How To Get Rid Of White Spots On Teeth (And Keep Them Away)
5 Effective Tips for Improving Oral Health
Everything You Need to Know How to Treat Gingivitis
