Oil pulling, is a time-tested procedure that involves swishing oil in the mouth for oral and systemic health benefits. According to traditional methods, Kavala was the oral cleansing technique now referred to as oil pulling, where a comfortable amount of oil is held in the mouth and gargled or pulled through the teeth and around the tongue and gums whereas Gandusha involves completely filling the mouth with oil and holding it, rather than swishing or gargling. Both methods provide health benefits beyond a clean mouth.

Ayurveda uses the tongue as an important diagnostic tool, indicating the fact that a healthy mouth and a healthy tongue is interrelated to the health of the entire body. Thus, supporting our oral hygiene is a benefit for our general health.

In fact, our mouths are host to over 600 different species of bacteria which populate the teeth, tongue, soft tissue ofthe cheeks and palates, and our tonsils. The oral cavity further adjoins the esophagus, nasal passages, sinuses, and the intricate ear cavities. You can see why bacteria in the mouth is a big deal! Many of these bacteria are necessary for a healthy oral microbiome, and many of them, such as Streptococcus mutans, can cause problems if left unchecked—tooth decay, bad breath, gingivitis, and strep throat, to name a few. Bacteria are single-celled organisms, enclosed by a lipid membrane. These bacteria are attracted to the lipid structure of the oil, pulled from the oral tissue by adhering to the fat molecules of the oil, then flushed away through the act of oil pulling and spitting out the oil.

Oil pulling may also increase saponification in the mouth, creating a soapy environment that cleanses the mouth as vegetable fat is an emulsifier by nature. Most interesting is perhaps the ability of oil to help in cellular restructuring and are related to the proper functioning of the lymph nodes and other internal organs.

HOW TO PRACTICE OIL PULLING?!

On an empty stomach, take about a Tablespoon, or about half a mouthful, of oil into your mouth. Push, pull and draw the oil through the teeth, from side to side and front to back, for 8-20 minutes. If you feel the need to spit during this time, spit a little out and keep “pulling.” At the end, the oil will be milky white, thin, and frothy. Spit this out and rinse your mouth with water.

You may brush your teeth after oil pulling, as the oil pulls out toxins, bacteria, pus, and mucous. It is said that this should be practiced one to three times daily, but the best time is in the morning, before breakfast, on an empty stomach. Coconut or sesame oil seem to be the most used oils, but olive, almond, sunflower, and other oils also receive honorable mention.

BENEFITS OF OIL PULLING

1) Strengthens teeth and gums and oral health in general.

2) Cleans the teeth, removing plaque.

3) Improves the health of sinuses.

4) Reduces headaches.

5) Benefits skin and blood disorders.

6) Reduces chronic inflammation in the body, thereby benefiting heart and brain health and, indeed, can be a near miraculous, panacea-like practice that improves the health of the whole body.

7) Brushing is contra indicated in the cases of mouth ulcer, fever, indigestion, those who have tendency to vomit, asthma, cough, thirst. Oil pulling can be used to clean the oral cavity in all these cases. It is a simple rejuvenating treatment, which, when done routinely, enhances the senses, maintains clarity, brings about a feeling of freshness, and invigorates the mind. These oral cleansing techniques can also benefit bad breath, dry face, dull senses, exhaustion, anorexia, loss of taste, impaired vision, sore throat etc.

8) Additionally, note that it should not be used in place of traditional oral hygiene practices, such as brushing your teeth, flossing, getting routine cleanings and consulting your dentist regarding any oral hygiene problems. Yet when used as a supplementary treatment, oil pulling may be a safe and effective natural remedy to improve your oral health. Hence why not make oil pulling part of your daily routine?