As we age our teeth and gums begin to deteriorate despite our best efforts. It is always helpful to acquire a simple, holistic resolution, verses paying those costly dental bills or using expensive products.
Despite our best efforts in brushing, flossing, and dental checkups, many people have bleeding gums, receding gums, deep pockets, teeth sensitivity, and dingy looking teeth.
Oil pulling covers all the surfaces in the mouth and reaches all the bacteria that is lurking inside our mouths.
Claims and Gains from Oil Pulling
One of the claims that seemed to be consistent, was the decrease in teeth sensitivity. This seemed to be a common problem with many, and the Oil Pulling process did help in this area.
The second claim that caught my attention was that the teeth would become whiter after using the Oil Pulling method. I can attest that this was the case for me.
The third claim, which I found to be very encouraging was that the teeth might become tighter around the gum line. I had dental surgery a few years ago, leaving me with gums lines that did not fit tightly around the teeth. This would cause food to get in those hard to reach places. Over time I do hope Oil Pulling will help in this area.
When you think about it, all disease processes begin in the mouth, with the many microscopic organisms that live among our teeth and gums. These germs, viruses, and bacteria may do little or no harm, but when our body's immune systems are weak, they can invade other parts of our body and cause illnesses.
"The Focal Infection Theory" was introduced in the early 1920's. It claimed that many diseases could start in one focal area of the body and the disease could spread to other parts of the body, causing many other problems. This theory laid dormant and was slightly dismissed until recently, where it seems to have been resurfacing.
I am a firm believer that the "old folk remedies" could be answers to many of our health concerns today.
Some claims may seem a bit far fetched, and being that I have NOT been doing this "Oil Pulling" for very long, only time will tell.
Oil Pulling may cure or alleviate some of the following diseases and disorders:
- Headaches
- Bronchitis
- Thrombosis
- Eczema
- Ulcers and diseases of the stomach, intestines, heart, blood, kidney, liver and lungs
- A variety of women's diseases and disorders
- Growth of malignant tumors
- Chronic sleeplessness
Let your food be your medicine and your medicine be your food -
Hippocrates (460 - 377 BC)
It is recommended that you oil pull first thing in the morning upon rising, making it part of your daily oral hygiene.
Rinse mouth well and take 1/2 tsp of oil and keep in your mouth for about 15–20 minutes, on an empty stomach. I would think the morning shower would be a great place to do this.
I did not find the taste offensive or feeling like a weird texture was in my mouth but some may be more sensitive. The oil does become more liquefied, like water, as time goes by.
Massage gums and teeth with the oil, using your tongue, swishing the oil around in your mouth.
Make sure you do not swallow the oil, as the toxins will be in the oil after you have completed the process.
Spit out the oil and brush the teeth, gums, and tongue thoroughly.
Please remember cold pressed (raw) oils are best for oil pulling to work well!
Sesame, sunflower and coconut oils are the most effective oils to be used in oil pulling.
"According to an Irish study, coconut oil is the only effective oil used in oil pulling that can stop growth of Streptococcus bacteria and is therefore recommended for oil pulling."
Last But Not Least...Some Gentle Tips
- Peanut
- Cotton Seed
- Soy
- Canola
- Corn
*PLEASE BEWARE if you have an allergy to a particular food, such as a sensitivity to peanuts, pecans or pecan oil.*