Have you tried the latest craze?

Oil pulling is an ancient detoxification technique known for its numerous health benefits. Oil pulling helps “pull” out bacteria, fungi, and toxins commonly found in the mouth before they spread to the body. Since the mouth is connected to the rest of the body, making sure that it’s clean is essential to staying healthy. We’ve compiled a list of the most common benefits, side effects, and uses of oil pulling for those of you interested in the trend.

The Process of Oil Pulling

It’s recommended to oil pull as soon as you wake up, before eating, drinking, and brushing your teeth, as that is when the toxins are most prevalent in your mouth. There are 4 basic steps for oil pulling:

1. Choose your oil. We recommend using coconut oil, but any organic oil, such as sesame or sunflower, will work just as well.
2. Swish between a teaspoon and a tablespoon of oil (to your level of tolerance) around in your mouth for roughly 20 minutes. If you’re having trouble with the consistency, it may help to melt the oil down beforehand.
3. Spit the oil out into the trash (not the sink!) to avoid clogging and rinse your mouth with warm water. Do NOT swallow the oil as it is filled with the toxins you’re hopefully getting rid of.
4. Brush and floss your teeth as normal to get rid of the residue left behind from the oil.

Oil pulling can be done as frequently as you’d like. The typical time frame is anywhere from 3x per week to every day. We’d recommend easing yourself into it, so your body can adjust to the process. If 20 minutes is too long for you, you can cut the time down to 10-15 minutes and try occupying your mind with a task while you pull. Additionally, unlike swishing with mouthwash, oil “swishing” should be done gently to avoid straining your jaw. It may help to floss ahead of time so the oil can get in between your teeth easier. Regardless of the frequency and amount of oil you use, it’s important that you don’t replace brushing your teeth with oil pulling! It’s a nice addition to the process, but doesn’t get rid of the plaque buildup like a toothbrush.

The Benefits of Oil Pulling

There are a wide range of benefits reported from oil pulling, but only those related to oral health have reports to back them up. Others, however, claim that the positives they’ve received from oil pulling have far exceeded a healthier mouth. The results tend to vary by person, but everyone seems to benefit in at least one aspect. Some of the most common benefits of oil pulling include:

• Whiter teeth
• Stronger gums, teeth, and jaw
• Cavity prevention
• Clearer skin
• Eliminates headaches and hangovers
• Better sleep
• Clears sinuses
• Fresh breath
• Increases energy
• Detoxes the body

Most results tend to surface typically between 2-4 weeks. Obviously the more frequently you oil pull, the quicker you’ll see results. But, as mentioned earlier, results do vary by person. While most results are positive, some people complain of jaw soreness or their gag reflex acting up. Swishing more gently and starting off at a shorter time can help with jaw soreness, while leaning forward, using less oil, and turning the oil into a liquid to begin with can help with gagging.

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