top of page
Search

Oil Pulling (Beats Teeth Pulling)

  • David Howell
  • Feb 20, 2015
  • 2 min read

Ever heard of oil pulling to help keep your teeth & gums healthy?

Using a plant based oil, (coconut oil is currently popular, and sesame oil is often used), oil pulling involves placing an amount of the oil into your mouth, then swishing it around and dragging it back and forth between your teeth for 10 to 20 minutes daily. Those who use oil pulling rave about cleaner and whiter teeth, and less gum disease.

I always like to check out some background evidence for the many health fads I'm recommended, so here's some evidence about oil pulling, and it stacks up fairly well.

A group of 20 adolescent Indian lads with plaque induced gingivitis (gum disease) was selected for this small study, with half of the group given a Chlorhexidine solution as a mouth rinse for 10 days, and the other half given sesame oil for 10 days of oil pulling. Measurements were taken of the level of plaque, gingivitis and total count of aerobic microorganisms in the lads' mouth, both before and after the 10 day study.

Results showed a statistically significant reduction in all markers measured for both groups after the 10 day treatment program. The link to this small study is given below, but other studies support the effectiveness of oil pulling in maintaining a healthy mouth, including in reducing the level of halitosis (bad breath).

So how's it done?

(a) Place about a dessertspoon to tablespoon of the oil (I recommend unhydrogenated coconut oil) into the mouth

(b) begin swishing the oil in between the teeth and around the mouth, using a cheek filling and emptying motion

(c) Continue oil pulling for at least 10 minutes, and up to 20 minutes

(d) When finished, please don't spit the oil down the drain! Non-hydrogenated coconut oil is like a butter at room temperature, and it'll clog your drains when it cools down. Instead, place the oil into tissues and dispose in the bin, (or give it to your chooks if you wish)!

(e) Continue to do this daily (it's a great idea to take a photo of your teeth & gums every week so you can compare results and monitor your progress.

If your teeth are beyond maintenance and need actual repair, you probably need to see a Dentist. Being a Toowoomba Naturopath, I recommend a couple of great Dentists in Toowoomba;

Jonathan Loughlin

Michael Heasley

http://heasleydental.com.au/

Here's a link to the article I've mentioned;

And, on the lighter side, while we're on the subject of teeth, here's an old joke;

KNOCK, KNOCK

...Who's there?

DISHWASHER

...Dishwasher who?

DISHWASHER WAY I SHPOKE BEFORE I GOT FALSH TEESH

Happy smiling!

 
 
 

Recent Posts

See All
truly healthy is our new name!

When truth and health meet together, true health should be the result. That's not really complicated, but in the last couple of years,...

 
 

Comments


Truly Healthy-02 (002).png

Toowoomba Naturopath

Where truth and health meet together...

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

Dave is the best, such an amazing gift and expertise. He always makes you feel heard, cared for and trusts in your own intuition in knowing your body and mind. His ability to diagnose and funnel down to the true cause of issues and symptoms is really incredible. His knowledge is so mind blowing, yet makes a lot of sense. He always delivers a quality service, coming from an evidence based approach,
I highly recommend 🙏👍

truly healthy

david howell naturopathy

Homemaker Centre

9/12 Prescott Street

Toowoomba City  Qld 4350

Phone 07 4599 9022
Or        07 4592 9327

                        Consulting Times

    Monday       8am-12.30pm, 1.30pm-5pm

    Tuesday       8am-12.30pm. 1.30pm-5pm

    Wednesday 8am-12.30pm, 1.30pm-5pm

    Thursday     8am-12.30pm, 1.30pm-5pm 

                      or Book Online Here

CONNECT WITH US

  • Google Classic
  • SoundCloud App Icon

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We acknowledge all Australian people of the land where we work and live.   We pay our respects to Elders, Community Leaders and all citizens who have striven to support this nation, past and present.    We acknowledge the faith and traditions of differing cultures in Australia and all communities who work and live on this land.

© 2024 by David Howell

bottom of page