The mouth is considered as the mirror of the general health of the human body. Oral cavity harbours billions of microorganisms; some of these contribute to the development or progression of systemic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus. The bacteria in your mouth create a biofilm on your teeth, a thin layer known as plaque.
Having some plaque on your teeth is perfectly normal, but if it gets out of hand, it can cause various problems, including bad breath, gum inflammation, gingivitis and cavities.
Oil pulling is an ancient ayurvedic therapy for maintaining oral hygiene. It involves swishing oil around the mouth, using it as a mouthwash. Oil pulling generates antioxidants which damage the cell wall of microorganisms and kill them. These oils will attract the lipid layer of bacterial cell membranes, and cause it to stick or get attracted, and pulled to the oil.
Benefits of oil pulling:
- Removes plaque building and bad breath producing bacteria
- Reduces gum inflammation, gum bleeding and makes gum look healthier and pink
- Helps to resolve symptoms of dry mouth/throat and chapped lips
- Reduce tooth pain
- Prevents dental caries, gingivitis, oral candidiasis
- Teeth becomes whiter, oral cavity muscle and jaws become stronger
- Believed to help in the excretion of toxic heavy metals by saliva
Lauric acid, in coconut oil, has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory properties prevent dental caries and are beneficial to oral health. It does not have adverse effects produced by chlorhexidine such as brown staining and altered taste sensation. It is effective against mouth sores. Monolaurin in coconut oil also has virucidal activity by dissolving lipids and phospholipids in the viral envelope; leading to disintegration of the virus.
Unlike coconut oil, mouthwash containing phenols and stannous fluoride produces staining, altered taste, drying of oral tissues in the mouth, burning sensations and ulcers.
In order to oil pull, swish 1 tablespoon of virgin coconut oil around the mouth in the early morning before breakfast and in empty stomach for about 20 min. For kids less than 5 years of age, use 1 teaspoon. At the end of this activity, if the procedure is done correctly, the viscous oil will become milky white and thinner. Then spit it out and wash your mouth warm water. If the jaw aches, then the procedure can be done just for 5–10 min.
