What Is Oil Pulling?
Among all of the beauty and wellness trends on the market right now, it’s hard to discern which ones are worth trying and which ones should be ignored. When we first heard about oil pulling we weren’t so much skeptical as we were, confused? Intimidated? After all, we didn’t really know what the benefits were or how beneficial it was to our overall health but what we found surprised us and in the best way. Oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic practice that includes taking a tablespoon of oil such as coconut oil which is most popular, and simply swishing it around your mouth for about 15-20 minutes and then spitting it out. We have to admit we were weary of the length of time to swish around oil in our mouth, after all we barely make it through the 30 seconds of mouthwash every morning. However, it’s proven to be an unexpected moment of tranquility that has priceless health benefits.
Not only does oil pulling leave us with fresher breath and an overall cleaner mouth but it benefits our overall health even further. Turns out when we oil pull, we’re taking out all of the bacteria that lives in our mouth that teeth brushing and mouthwash can’t target. By detoxifying our mouths in this way we’re reducing inflammation, supporting our immune system and can even be left with clearer, more radiant skin. As for your oral health, not only will your breath be fresher but this practice also supports healthy gums, prevents cavities and helps aid in sensitive teeth and gum. Plus, that 20-minute swish is a great opportunity to practice some light meditation every day by simply focusing on this simple but extremely effective ancient practice.
What do you think? Do you have the time (and the patience) for this Ayurvedic oral ritual? Or are you content with Listerine every morning? Let us know if you give oil pulling a try and what results you see, or don’t see.