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Natural dental care products
Contribute to a cleaner ocean
Free delivery on orders over €100
Natural dental care products
Contribute to a cleaner ocean
Table of contents
Oil pulling or oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic practice said to cleanse the mouth of toxins and bacteria and improve gum health. Food particles, germs and cavity-causing bacteria can be easily removed. The result is whiter teeth and better gum health. Oil pulling can just like mouthwash also prevent bad breath. Find out more about the cause of bad breath and how to cure a bad breath here.
Which is the best oil for oil pulling? Organic and natural oils, without any flavour or aroma additives, give the best results. In Ayurveda, the treatment uses unrefined sesame or coconut oil, which is valued for its cleansing, warming, moisturising and anti-inflammatory effects.
Sesame oil, mustard oil, olive oil, almond oil and lately avocado oil are also widely used. Some people even recommend rinsing the mouth with flaxseed oil or sunflower oil. Among all natural oils, however, coconut oil is the most popular. Coconut oil is the best oil for oil pulling for a reason: because you won’t suffer from gagging.
There are ready-made coconut oil blends enriched with additional ingredients such as herbal oils, fruit peel oils or activated charcoal. You can choose coconut oil which is fractionated, meaning it remains liquid at much lower temperatures, so you can spit it out through the sink after rinsing your mouth with it.
Coconut oil is pleasant, light, has a pleasant smell and does not cause gagging. Its storage is simple: at room temperature, it has a solid consistency and under the influence of mouth heat, it turns into a liquid. Moreover, rinsing your mouth with coconut oil is simply delicious. This is why many feel that coconut oil is the best oil for oil pulling.
An Indian study found that oil pulling with coconut oil resulted in a significant reduction in the number of S. mutans (bacteria) in saliva. It can also be used as a natural alternative to chlorhexidine to improve oral hygiene. Compared to chlorhexidine, coconut oil has no adverse effects, such as brown stains and altered taste sensation.
Olive oil consists of 70% monounsaturated fatty acids. The predominant component is oleic acid. Olive oil also consists of plant phenolic compounds and contains vitamins A, E and K, compounds with antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. Oil rinses with olive oil have been found to prevent oral unpleasant odour. In addition, mouthwashes with olive oil can prevent plaque formation.
Oil pulling with sesame oil is also recommended by Ayurveda. Sesame oil contains sesamoline, sesamin and sesaminol and has antioxidant, detoxifying and antibiotic actions. It also prevents lipid peroxidation. However, sesame oil is least used for oil pulling because of its price and lower availability. Then again, the cost of sesame oil is several make cheaper than chlorhexidine.
Mustard oil contains a wealth of vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, B, C, E and the minerals zinc, calcium, magnesium and selenium. Mustard oil also contains a large amount of unsaturated omega-3 fatty acids. Using mustard oil for oil pulling kills bacteria and prevents bleeding gums. Traditional Ayurveda suggests sesame oil or mustard oil for its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Oil pulling strengthens gums and reduces their sensitivity. It turns out that regular use of mouthwashes with oil can even make teeth whiter by a few tones. Such an oil practice gives spectacular effects of a snow-white smile, without having to use baking soda, charcoal or bleaching strips.
Of all the oils used for oil pulling, coconut oil has been found to give the best results. If you are tired of bleeding gums, try rinsing your mouth with coconut oil every day. In addition, systematic flossing of the interdental spaces and massaging the gums with a toothbrush can ensure that the problem is solved within a short time.
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Written by
Kim Schouten
In recent years, she has worked in various areas to improve oral health care for both young and old. Oral care is an essential part of daily care. This is because good oral care is not only important for the mouth, but also for overall health. Therefore, it is very important to create awareness and share knowledge about this.
Frequently asked questions
What oil can you use for oil pulling?
Oil pulling with different oils such as coconut oil, sesame oil and olive oil has several benefits, including a visible improvement in the condition of the skin. For instance, people who regularly use oil mouthwashes have reduced acne problems. Rinsing the mouth with oil can smooth the skin, reduce oiliness and give the skin a healthy colour.
What is the best oil for oil pulling?
The best coconut oil for oil pulling is extra virgin coconut oil because of its pleasant taste. Extra virgin coconut oil also has a beneficial fatty acid profile with large amounts of lauric acid, known for its antimicrobial properties.
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