The idea of oil pulling came from Ayurvedic medicine which is an ancient medical system. The word "Ayurvedic" joins the Sanskrit words "ayur" meaning "life" and "veda" meaning "knowledge or science". This remedy has been performed for centuries in India and is still used there today, either by itself or along with current Western medicine. Oil pulling is an oral detoxification method done by swishing a tablespoon of edible oil, such as coconut, olive, sunflower, or sesame oil in your mouth for 10 to 15 minutes before thoroughly rinsing the oil from your mouth.
While this practice is considered beneficial for oral health, there are some important considerations to address before moving on with instructions. Oil pulling should be a soothing practice used to enhance the overall health of your mouth, not as a cure for an existing problem that needs a dentist's attention. Also, while it is a safe practice for the most part, it is not recommended for children because if by chance it goes down the wrong pipe, meaning into the trachea instead of the esophagus, it can cause a rare but very serious side effect called lipoid pneumonia. Persons with gastroesophageal reflux disease or difficulty swallowing may want to avoid this technique as well because of this same but rare possibility.
Now, on with the instructions to practice this technique wisely and effectively! It is ideal to do first thing in the morning soon after you rise and before eating or drinking. It may be performed up to 3 times a day. And it is best to wait for about 4 hours after drinking or eating. It's very important that any person using the oil and has the ability to swish it around in their mouth for at least 10 minutes without any trouble. Oil pulling functions by pulling or drawing out bacteria hiding on your gingiva and in the tiny cracks and crevices in and around your teeth. Your saliva along with the oil work to extract the toxins, making your tooth and mouth healthy. If your mouth is healthy and clean, less germs will enter your body. Research shows that some ailments are indeed associated with dental health. Therefore, it really is essential for your general state of health to have good oral health. Once the mouth and gingiva have a good, healthful condition, less germs will enter into your blood flow. It's good to know that oil pulling can be so good for you especially since the aging process does make maintaining good oral health much more difficult than before.
Regular trips to the dentist are still key, but this can help with keeping your tooth and gingiva healthy. Oil pulling is safe if you have crowns or fillings. If an issue arises and you can't get to the dentist right away, oil pulling can help to ease tooth pain as well as cleanse the area in the meantime. It can also speed up the healing of tooth implants. You should use any type of edible oil like organic coconut, virgin olive, sunflower, or sesame oil. Choose one that is most palatable to you. Although you are using oil that is edible, it is not meant to be swallowed. In addition to not swallowing the oil, it is important to rinse your mouth thoroughly after using this technique. Rinse at least three to four times to reduce the chances of leaving any residue. While it is important to continue with your dentist's regular instructions for oral health, oil pulling is a comfortable and beneficial technique that can easily be added to your daily routine.
Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.