Oil Pulling

Oil pulling is an Ayurvedic oral hygiene practice for whitening the teeth, strengthening the gums, and benefits the entire mouth. It is recognized for its ability to draw toxins out of tissues like a magnet, supporting dental hygiene, healthy sinuses, detox and anti-inflammatory properties in the oral cavity.

The oral cavity consists of the teeth, tongue, soft tissue of the cheeks, palates and tonsils; host to over 600 different species of bacteria necessary for a healthy oral microbiome. The oral cavity adjoins the esophagus, nasal passages, sinuses, and the intricate ear cavities. When oral bacteria over flourishes, the microbiome shifts into bad breath, tooth decay, gingivitis, strep throat, etc.

How does oil pulling help keep this in check?

Bacteria adheres to the fat molecules in the lipid structure of the oil, pulling toxins from the oral tissues. This is especially effective for pulling sugars out of a cavity to temporarily reduce pain or inflammation.

• Oil pulling cleans and whitens teeth

• Removes toxins and bacteria

• Promotes strong and healthy teeth, gums, and oral tissues

Oil Pulling (Kavala)

BEFORE breakfast, scrape tongue and brush teeth. Then:

1. Place about 1 Tablespoon of oil pulling oil in your mouth.

2. Swish it around inside your mouth vigorously as you would a mouth wash solution, moving it in front of, behind, and through your teeth.

3. Continue for up to 20 minutes until the oil has become thin and whitish in color.

4. Spit the oil in the trash (not down the drain) and rinse your mouth out with water.

Do not swallow the oil.

Oil pulling can take some getting used to if you are a traditional user of harsh alcohol-based mouth washes or oral solutions containing sweet sugar-substitutes. The hardest part for me to become accustomed to was the viscosity. Oil is thicker than water so it feels different in your mouth than a regular mouthwash solution.

Oil Pulling (Gandusa)

Another method of oil pulling is simply holding the oil in your mouth without swishing it. This is a more lubricating practice to strengthen the teeth, gums and jaw, remove wrinkles from the cheeks and also improve your voice. To experience the benefits of this practice, it is recommended twice daily.

1. Place about 1 Tbs of oil pulling oil in your mouth.

2. Use your tongue to coat your gums and teeth in the oil.

3. Hold the oil in your mouth (without swishing) for up to 20 mins.

4. After some time, swish the oil around your mouth and spit the oil into the trash.

5. Then gently massage your gums with one finger.

Try setting a small and modest goal of adding kavala or gandusa at least once per day to your hygiene routine, even if only for 5 minutes (or two minutes if it's all you have!). Sticking with it, the practice has time to become a healthy habit on this road to wellness.

If making time for kavala/gandusa is a challenge, keep in mind that it could be one of the beneficial challenges that Life is presenting. These two methods of oral care can be done while performing other tasks like getting ready for work or folding laundry, etc.

I hope oil pulling helps you as much as it has helped me.

Much Love,

Meg