5 reasons you need to include oil pulling in your dental care routine
What is oil pulling?
Oil pulling, also know "gundusha" or "kavala" is an ancient Ayurvedic dental technique that involves swishing edible oil in your mouth. Originated in India over 500 years ago, this technique has gained worldwide popularity due to its purported effectiveness in removing bacteria and promoting oral hygiene. The simple technique of taking two tablespoons of coconut oil in the mouth and squishing can pull bacteria from the hidden corner of your mouth where your brush cannot reach. Doing this can also help to moisturise the gums and increase the production of saliva. Apart from maintaining your oral hygiene, oil pulling also has some amazing health benefits. Here are 5 reasons why you must include oil pulling in your daily routine.
Maintain oral hygiene
Studies
suggest that approximately 600 different types of bacteria live in our
mouths. Some of them are healthy, while others can lead to oral problems
like tooth decay and gum diseases. Oil pulling regularly in the morning
can help to reduce the number of bad bacteria in the mouth. This
technique can also help to reduce oral issues in kids, who often suffer
from tooth decay related issues from a younger age.
Prevents cavities and reduces gum inflammation
Cavities are a common issue of tooth decay that is caused due to poor oral hygiene and bacteria build up around teeth which leads to holes in them. The bacteria destroys the enamel of the teeth and leads to tooth decay. Oil pulling flushes out such bacteria, reducing the risk of cavities. Moreover, it is also an effective remedy for gum bleeding and swollen gums.
Reduces bad breath
Bad
breath or Halitosis is a common oral health-related issue witnessed in
about 50 per cent of the population. One of the major reasons for bad
breath is poor oral hygiene and coating on the tongue, which traps the
bacteria and causes bad breath. To reduce the bad breath, scraping the
tongue and oil pulling can be the two best options. Oil pulling is a
natural way to reduce bacteria from the mouth and is quite effective.
Improves digestive health
If
you often suffer from the problem of indigestion, oil pulling can be an
extremely effective home remedy. Swishing oil in your mouth can
stimulate your digestive tract, which can boost the process of digestion
and reduce the episodes of constipation. Another benefit is that it can
balance the doshas and cut down the risk of chronic diseases.
Good for heart health
Studies
carried out to understand the long term benefits of oil pulling also
highlights that the ancient home remedy is also good for heart health.
Research suggests that bad oral hygiene can lead to bad heart health.
When you perform oil pulling, it promotes the growth of good bacteria in
the saliva, as a result, you make better food choices that can keep
your heart healthy and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
The choice of oil
Oil
pulling works the best with coconut oil. According to Ayurveda,
organic, extra-virgin or unrefined coconut oil is more effective than
any other type of oil like olive oil, sunflower oil. It has
anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties. Along
with that, it is edible and safe. Try not to do oil pulling forcefully
and do not swallow the oil. The best time to do oil pulling is in the
morning on an empty stomach.
How to do oil pulling
Step 1: Take a tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth and swish it around for 1 minute.
Step 2: Spit out the oil into the basin and rinse your mouth with water. You can start with 1 minute and then increase your timing.