Do you love coconut oil? How about trying coconut mouth rinse, also known as oil pulling?
What Is Oil Pulling?
Oil pulling involves swishing oil around the mouth, much like using mouthwash, and it has been a part of Ayurvedic practice for thousands of years.
Coconut oil contains lauric acid, which possesses antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal properties. Thanks to these properties, coconut oil pulling can be beneficial for reducing harmful bacteria in the mouth.
Oral bacteria can create a layer on your teeth known as plaque. While having a small amount of plaque is normal, an excess can lead to various issues, such as gum inflammation, bad breath, and gut problems like dysbiosis.
Harmful oral bacteria can travel to the digestive tract with food. Although many are killed by stomach acid, some are acid-resistant. The more resistant bacteria can disrupt the balance of your gut microbiome. This is one reason why dentists recommend brushing your teeth before breakfast.
How do you perform oil pulling?
- Take a teaspoon of coconut oil.
- Wait a few seconds for it to melt in your mouth.
- Swish the oil around your mouth for about 10-15 minutes.
- Spit out the oil, then brush your teeth as usual.
For the best results, do it on an empty stomach and before brushing your teeth.
If you practice oil pulling regularly, consider these 3 important things:
- To prevent oil fat accumulation in your bathroom pipes, it's best to spit the oil into a piece of paper and dispose of it in the bin.
- Occasionally, switch to a different oil, such as unrefined sesame oil or sea buckthorn oil. This prevents oral bacteria from developing resistance to any one type of oil.
- Oil pulling is a complementary oral care practice, not a substitute for your regular dental routine, which should include daily tooth brushing.
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