By Dr. Jesse Chappus
Oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic practice that is used to promote oral health.
It also rids the body of accumulated toxins and pathogenic bacteria by drawing them through the tissues of the mouth.
As Simple as a Swish
Part of the appeal of oil pulling is its simplicity. All you will need for this technique is 1 tablespoon of organic, cold pressed oil. The best type of oil to use is sesame but coconut, olive, almond or sunflower oil all work too.
Oil pulling is best done first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. The technique involves swishing the oil slowly around your mouth for 15 to 20 minutes without swallowing it.
Throughout this procedure the oil will become white and thick as it absorbs toxins and harmful bacteria through the tissues in the mouth. At the 20 minute mark promptly spit out the oil so the toxins don’t start to be reabsorbed by your body.
Once you have discarded the oil you will want to rinse you mouth with water or brush your teeth to remove any remaining residue.
A Mouthful of Benefits
The oral health benefits of oil pulling include:
- Whitens teeth
- Freshens breath
- Improves gum health
- Decreases your susceptibility to dental cavities
- Reduces gingivitis
By removing toxins from the body oil pulling also allows for a more general type of healing. Health problems of all types can improve including asthma, skin problems, migraine headaches, diabetes and chronic fatigue.
Although oil pulling is a very simple technique it can provide an array of health benefits. So give it a try today and see the difference it can make in your health.
Share in the comments section your experiences with oil pulling. If you know anyone who can benefit from this health information please share this post.
Dr. Jesse Chappus is a chiropractor with a passion for helping people reach their optimum levels of health. He writes a health blog at drjessechappus.com/blog where he regularly shares information on a variety of health topics. Dr. Chappus specializes in nutrition and is an advocate of a whole food, plant-based diet.
July 27, 2012 at 12:45 pm
PLEASE DO NOT DO IF YOU HAVE MERCURY FILLINGS N YOUR MOUTH….IT CAN BE EXTREMELY TOXIC IF YOU DO SO
July 27, 2012 at 3:01 pm
Thanks for bringing my attention to this potential hazard Linda.
July 27, 2012 at 1:02 pm
Hi Dr. Jesse!
I have practiced regular oil pulling for a few months now. Within the first week I noticed my teeth were whiter as well as less sensitive to temperature changes. And my lips have never been softer!
I very recently wrote a post about how to make your own mouthwash by infusing the oil with herbs or spices which also happen to be conducive to oral health.
All-natural mouthwash post: http://atoneholisticliving.blogspot.ca/2012/07/all-natural-mouthwash.html
Just a note; the oil actually becomes thinner and white, not thicker, as it mixes with your own saliva. It is quite thick to start and a little difficult to swish, yet thins as you go and becomes more ‘swishable’.
Thank you for sharing this traditional practice which has so many benefits to offer today!
Stephanie
July 27, 2012 at 3:05 pm
Stephanie,
I’m glad to hear you are experiencing multiple benefits from regular oil pulling – All the best in your health journey!!
Jesse
July 27, 2012 at 1:12 pm
I WAS getting ready to start doing this and then I read the part about the fillings. Is this true? I have metal fillings and now I’m not sure… Would someone please give me some more info on this. I know another person who does this and has metal fillings and I have never heard a bad thing about it.
July 27, 2012 at 3:08 pm
Cindy,
I would avoid doing this since you have metal fillings to be on the safe side – Sorry.
All the best,
Jesse
July 27, 2012 at 2:37 pm
I didn’t come across the issue of oil pulling with metal fillings while doing the research for this post. There seems to be no concrete information on whether or not this is harmful. If you have metal fillings I suggest avoiding this procedure to be on the safe side.
All the best,
Jesse
July 27, 2012 at 2:51 pm
Thank you for the information. I am excited to try this. Could you tell me a good, organic way to make my own toothpaste? I was using coconut oil and baking soda. But I just went to the Dentist and was told that my enamel is getting very thin and the baking soda is too rough for my teeth and will cause further damage. Please help!
July 27, 2012 at 3:16 pm
Sara,
I’m glad you enjoyed my post! I can’t help you with the toothpaste though – I’ve never made my own. The best “toothpaste” I know of is the Oralive Dental Elixir. Check it out @ http://www.ascendedhealth.com/products_dentalcare.htm#gum-disease-01
If your enamel is already thin this is probably to harsh for your teeth. In your case I would stick with a natural toothpaste from the health food store.
Good luck!!
Jesse
July 28, 2012 at 4:58 am
I always enjoy your articles, Jesse! This one is so valuable and provides great info.
Will be starting this practice tomorrow morning and will report back my findings.
Thank you!
Jia Ni x
July 28, 2012 at 2:19 pm
Thank you Jia Ni!! I always enjoy reading your blog too
I can’t wait to hear how oil pulling works out for you!
Have a great weekend!!
Jesse
September 3, 2012 at 6:26 am
Oil pulling will NOT leach mercury from dental filings containing metallic ( elemental ) mercury nor is there any scientific basis for such an assertion. Metallic mercury is not overly reactive to acids unless they are very, very strong.i.e. concentrated sulfuric acid. H2SO4 is not something that average human is likely to eat.
Note – metallic mercury passes thru a healhy GI tract without being absorbed. The only issue pertains to people with allergies to metallic mercury. In such cases it is likely that these fillings would have been replaced long before they ever came across oil pulling…
Mercury vapour, methylmercury,etc on the other hand…
As with any material the dose makes the poison.
November 9, 2012 at 5:51 pm
Thanks for clarifying Ashley!
April 21, 2013 at 9:52 am
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