Oil pulling: Easy oral hygiene
Many diseases start in the mouth. Therefore, proper oral hygiene is especially important. More and more people are turning to oil pulling, as it has a positive effect not only on our teeth. We will explain to you what you can use oil pulling for and how it works.
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Oral hygiene - more important than you think
Our mouth is the gateway to our body. And at the same time, the dirtiest place in our organism, comparable to the hallway in our house. In the hallway, dirt from outside accumulates and, if not cleaned, is carried into our entire house.
This is how it works in our body too: Thousands of bacteria are present in our mouth. If the healthy balance of this ecosystem is disrupted, it can lead not only to inflammation in the gums. The bacteria can also be carried into our body through the blood vessels in our mouth. While we pay little attention to this knowledge in this country, the ancient Ayurvedic healing art has long appreciated the effects of oil pulling.
What is oil pulling?
Oil pulling, a morning ritual of Ayurvedic teachings for millennia, is a method to cleanse the oral cavity of bacteria and toxins. In this practice, some oil (coconut or sesame oil) is taken into the mouth and swished around between the teeth for several minutes. All the bacteria and toxins dissolved in it, which have accumulated in the oral cavity overnight, are supposed to leave the body in this way.
How does oil pulling work?
The principle of oil pulling is extremely simple:
First of all, choose a high-quality vegetable oil, such as coconut oil. In India, traditionally sesame oil is used. An ideal time for oil pulling is in the morning right after waking up on an empty stomach.
Take a tablespoon of oil in your mouth and swish vigorously in your oral cavity for about 5 to 15 minutes. Pull the oil through the spaces between your teeth. Initially, you can take breaks while oil pulling.
Never swallow the oil: Spit the oil onto a cloth and dispose of it in the household waste. Rinsing it in the mouth will give it a whitish color.
Rinse your mouth with warm water afterwards and brush your teeth as usual. Oil pulling is not a replacement for brushing your teeth.
What are the positive effects of oil pulling?
Oil pulling is a good method to combat pathogens in the oral cavity. Bacteria and pollutants are drawn from the oral mucosa and bound in the oil. The antibacterial effect of the oil not only has a positive effect on bad breath, but also promotes healthy gums and inhibits tooth decay.
Because germs and toxins can spread throughout the body via the blood vessels in the mouth, oil cleansing also has a positive effect on our entire body. Many intestinal diseases have their origin in a disturbed intestinal flora, where harmful germs displace the "good" intestinal bacteria. Because oil cleansing eliminates unwanted germs, it is therefore believed to be beneficial for gastrointestinal tract diseases.
The detoxifying effect of oil pulling is beneficial for our overall health.
Which oil is best for oil pulling?
For oil pulling, high-quality plant-based oils are recommended. The following varieties are particularly suitable:
Sesame oil: In India, there is a long tradition of oil pulling with sesame oil. Many find the nutty flavor pleasant.
Coconut oil: Coconut oil is also very suitable in terms of taste. Its application is easy as well, as its creamy consistency allows it to be easily scooped out of the jar. It is recommended to use organic coconut oil and to pay attention to sustainable cultivation.
Sunflower oil: We should only use sunflower oil in moderation in our diet. However, it is ideal for oil pulling, especially if you don't like strong flavours.
How often should one do oil pulling?
Since oil pulling has no side effects, experts recommend daily oil pulling for best results. If you have healthy teeth and no gum problems, oil pulling once a day for about 5 minutes is sufficient. If you already have gum inflammation or other oral diseases, longer oil cleaning of 15 to 20 minutes is recommended.
Do you want to detoxify your body? Then an oil pulling treatment is particularly suitable: It is best to do oil pulling for four to six weeks, performing the oil cleansing once or twice daily. Of course, oil pulling is not a miracle cure, but it can help maintain your health as a preventive measure.
When used as an oil pulling treatment, it helps you in the first step to fresh breath and a clean mouth feeling - and maybe you will also feel further positive effects. Feel free to try it out for a few weeks!