Stained teeth, bad breath and tooth decays. All the unwanted oral issues we can ever think of might just have a natural solution to banish them for good. You might not have heard of this technique before but recently it has gained some popularity and traction among health experts and enthusiasts.
Oil Pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic practice of swirling coconut oil in one’s mouth for 10 – 20 minutes and was historically used in the indian sub-continent to detoxify the body by taking advantage of the extremely beneficial properties of coconut oil. The coconut oil will absorb all the bad bacteria in the saliva which you later dispel into the sink.
Many people have sworn by this technique which has reported to have successfully whiten their teeth, give them more energy during the day and improve digestion. Although there is still extensive research to be done to provide concrete proof to these claims, more and more literature is appearing to support the benefits of coconut oil pulling.
In this article, we evaluate the effectiveness of oil pulling and how else to use coconut oil to its best potential.
And here’s why you shouldn’t stop exploring other powerful benefits of this “superfood”:
Coconut Oil: Proven Benefits, Myths And How To Use
97 Surprising Coconut Oil Uses To Better Your Life
How To Use Coconut Oil For Skin Problems
5 Genius Ways To Use Coconut Oil For Hair
Coconut Oil As A Detox Accelerator
Multiple studies have shown that the “pulling effect” from coconut oil is real because of its lipophilic effect. What this means is that the fat in coconut oil attracts other fats which also pulls out other toxins and free radicals in the blood. As such, swirling coconut oil in your mouth can act as a detoxification accelerator.
Coconut Oil As A Mouthwash Replacement
A 2014 study published in the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research had stated that Coconut Oil works as well as chlorhexidine treatment which can be found in your typical mouthwashes. Studies conducted also show that there was a significant reduction in gingivitis after 45 days of oil pulling.
However, if you look into the comparison against chlorhexedine over the internet, you may find many conflicting reports about the claim. Nevertheless, coconut oil pulling is still a low risk technique that is worth the try and who knows, it might actually work for you.
Coconut Oil As A Teeth Whitener
Many reports on the internet have stated that Oil Pulling users have had their teeth whitened. Again, reports on the internet reveals mixed successes and failures of users testing oil pulling to whiten their teeth. However, most, if not all of them have reported a cleaner mouth after swishing coconut oil in their mouths for 10 – 20 minutes.
However, according to lead dentist in the UK, James Goolnik, it is not advisable to use Oil Pulling as an alternative to conventional oral care such as brushing of teeth and flossing as there have been no concrete scientific evidence to support the claims.
What else can you use coconut oil for? Other than Oil Pulling?
Coconut Oil is proven to be a great moisturiser to the skin and when applied topically, it can penetrate the skin very effectively to heal skin problems such as dull skin, dry skin, eczema, wounds and chapped lips. Here are a few homemade remedies to tackle some of these skin problems.
For dull and dry skin, you can make a simple body lotion by combining coconut oil, shea butter and essential oils. Apply coconut oil directly to eczema, wounds and chapped lips 2-3 times a day until it heals.
Common Questions on Coconut Oil Pulling
Why does oil pulling need to last for 15-20 minutes?
The process of oil pulling is to pull radical toxins and other fats from your body as a detoxifying effect. Oil Pulling for lesser amounts of time will result in an unchanging texture to the oils which many believe is an indication that not much was done with the oil.
How long does it take until I see the difference?
Most people have reported seeing results after a week of oil-pulling. And within a month, people have reported that oil-pulling has helped repair teeth and gums. However, results vary among users and this is not a guarantee.
Are there any side effects of oil pulling?
Diarrhea and upset stomach have been reported in some cases. However, they are not conclusive. Oil Pulling is a natural oral technique and is not intended to be ingested, hence it is relatively safe with a very low risk for side effects. Some people might feel nauseas after swishing the oil in their mouth and if so, reduce the amount of oil used.
Featured photo credit: Coconut Pulling via dentagama.com
