There aren't any known physical side effects from oil pulling. However, you might notice a sore jaw or headache at first from the rigorous motion of oil pulling. If you swallow the oil, it could cause an upset stomach or diarrhea. Oil pulling should never be used in place of brushing and flossing.
If you experience pain while oil-pulling, then you're probably swishing too hard or the amount of oil is too much. Oil-pulling should be comfortable so try to be calm and relaxed while doing it. Also, you don't have to swish for the whole 20 minutes.
Oil pulling activates salivary enzymes which absorb toxins such as chemical toxins, bacterial toxins and environmental toxins from the blood and removed from the body through the tongue.
Proponents of oil pulling claim that, when practiced properly and with regularity, users can expect to start seeing results such as reduced plaque, cavity prevention and stronger gums in 2 – 3 months. Some users also claim that oil pulling helped remove stains from their teeth.
Also, a recent study found that coconut oil may help prevent tooth decay. Start with just 5 minutes a day. Twenty minutes of swishing is a long time, and while the longer you pull, the more bacteria you'll remove, 5 or 10 minutes will still offer some benefit.
You do not need to brush your teeth before oil pulling as the practice will remove food and bacteria from the mouth. However, it is important to brush afterwards to ensure that all of the toxins that are drawn out of the mouth are removed. If it feels weird, keep going. There's no right or wrong way to oil pull.
However, this practice could be harmful to teeth. We recommend not brushing until approximately 30 minutes after eating, and while oil pulling isn't quite considered eating, your tooth enamel has still had time to be affected by the oil in your mouth and can be more susceptible to erosion after this practice.
Should you do oil pulling before or after brushing? It is recommended to perform oil pulling before brushing your teeth and scraping your tongue. If you were to choose between oil pulling at night vs morning, it should always be done in the morning on an empty stomach.
Dentist Concerns About Oil Pulling
Because sufficient evidence of the effectiveness of oil pulling is lacking, dental professionals recommend exercising caution when it comes to this practice. Although it isn't particularly harmful, some people may experience some side effects.
"It will help fight plaque and gingivitis." However, oil pulling isn't officially recommended by the American Dental Association, so it's always important to exercise caution and keep up with regular dental cleanings—oil pulling shouldn't replace your other daily oral care practices.
Oil pulling for oral hygiene is common. But before you go racing out to the store for oil, the American Dental Association cautions that because of a lack of evidence, they do not recommend oil pulling as a replacement for standard oral health care such as flossing and teeth brushing.
Increases Blood Flow To Your Face - Oil pulling not only helps the skin from inside but also from outside because it will help in exercising the jaw muscles which in turn will also encourage a good blood circulation, which helps tighten your skin and smoothes out those smile lines and provides you with a youthful look.
Coconut oil is the best oil to use because it contains lauric acid, which has proven anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. Sesame oil and sunflower are also options, but I recommend coconut oil pulling the most. You can also incorporate essential oils into the process to enhance oil pulling benefits.
Oil pulling is a popular age-long practice for removing plaques and other food particles from the mouth with natural oils. What's more, it's an effective natural remedy for receding gums and gingivitis. To practice oil pulling, you'll need sesame oil or high-quality coconut oil.
The research on oil pulling
One study involved 60 participants aged 16 to 18 with gingivitis who practiced oil pulling every day alongside brushing and flossing. There was steady improvement after day seven, and a 50% decrease in plaque formation and plaque induced gingivitis after four weeks.
Oil Pulling May Worsen Dental Erosion.
By reducing the number of bacteria in your mouth, oil pulling can prevent cavities. Once damage from tooth decay has already happened, the oil cannot reverse this damage. A tooth with a hole can only be repaired with a dental filling.
Once you have finished pulling, spit the solution into the trash. Do not discard the oil in the sink or down the toilet because over time the oil may build up and clog the pipes. Do not drink anything before rinsing your mouth. Rinse with water first before consuming a beverage.
Sesame and coconut oil are the most studied oils used in oil pulling and appear to be the most effective. Both of these oils have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which may help decrease and prevent harmful bacteria overgrowth in your mouth.
Oil pulling is done every morning on an empty stomach. Place a tablespoon of edible oil (typically sesame or coconut) in your mouth and swish it vigorously through your teeth for about 3 to 20 minutes while keeping your mouth closed. After you're done, spit out the oil and rinse your mouth with warm water.
The longer you push and pull the oil through your mouth, the more microbes are pulled free. The oil needs to be swished around long enough for it to turn a milky white, which indicates that the bacteria has been “pulled” off.
2. DO oil pull with an empty stomach, don't even drink water beforehand, first thing in the morning is the easiest. Pulling on an empty stomach triggers the release of the maximum amount of the enzyme-containing saliva. These enzymes remove toxins & bacteria out of the lymph fluids & bloods.
Oil pulling is best incorporated in the morning, upon rising, and on an empty stomach, as it helps to stimulate the appetite and enhance the sense of taste. Some suggest swishing before brushing, while others suggest brushing before swishing.