You must have seen it while scrolling through Instagram or heard that celebs have mentioned it on podcast. But what does it really do? Oil pulling is running once again, but it is definitely nothing new. This oral care practice has roots in the ancient Ayurvedic routine that follows for hundreds of years. A quick online discovery tells you the bases – it contains swing oil in your mouth for fresh breath, whiter teeth and better oral health every morning. But what does the oil draw really, or is it just another welfare tendency that is making online rounds? Let us break it.
What is oil drawing? How does this work?
According to an article published in Nature Journal, “This is the practice of oil moving around your mouth and then spit it out.” The oral hygiene move of this old school usually includes using coconut oil, sunflower oil or sesame seeds. You are “to rotate the oil for 5 to 20 minutes, so that the edible oil is drawn through the teeth and mouth”.
Does oil pull work?
Oil pulling is not one of the random DIY tricks that have been popped up from anywhere. According to the Cleveland Clinic, even if the oil pulling cannot be found in the place of brushing and flossing twice a day, it provides some real benefits, thanks to the nutrients in used oils. A 2017 study at the International Journal of Health Sciences also states that in rural areas and developing areas, where proper oral care is not always available, oil can be an affordable way to support dental health better than oil.
Also read: 8 foods and drinks that are good for teeth
Photo Credit: ISTOCK
Here are the 4 health benefits of pulling oil:
Yoga and Ayurveda expert Anushka Parvani recently shared some reasons why he vowed to pull oil. Here are some of the major benefits that he mentions.
1. Detox the mouth:
When you rotate the oil around, it helps in trapping germs and toxins, which you spit again. It makes a place to flourish good bacteria, reduces inflammation and helps improve your oral health.
2. Reduces bad breath:
A dry mouth often causes a bad breath. Naturally pulling the oil keeps the mouth moist and prevents that dry feeling.
3. Strengthens gums and teeth:
A study in the European Journal of Dentistry found that the oil reduces gingivitis, which is an early stage of gum disease. It helps to calm bacteria and inflammation, and the oil also reduces the level of acidity in the mouth, keeping your enamel safe.
4. Improves digestion:
Some oils have anti -inflammatory properties, and in the morning, saliva flows, which helps in your digestion. In addition, it cleanses toxins before they give a chance to enter your body.
Also read: Vitamin D deficiency can predict stunning facts about your dental health
What is the right way to pull oil?
Anushka Parvani also shared a quick guide to do it correctly if you want to get full advantage.
step 1. brush your teeth.
step 2. Clean your tongue.
step 3. Take a bottle of cold-pired coconut oil.
step 4. Put 1 tablespoon in your mouth.
Step 5. Either tilt your head up or rotate the oil from one side. Do this for 10-15 minutes every morning.
Step 6. Spit it in a cup and throw it away. Do not spit it into the sink, or it can prevent pipes.
Bottom line:
If correct, pulling oil may support your oral health. But always remember, this is an additional, not for a replacement, to brush, flossing or dentist. It is always best to check with a healthcare professional for advice based on your specific oral care needs.
