How to whiten your teeth naturally with oil

You may have tried this before or know of someone who swears by it. Although oil pulling is a growing trend, it dates back 3000 years as a type of Ayurvedic medicine.

Oil pulling is basically the act of using a high quality food-grade oil as a mouth wash to cleanse the mouth and teeth. The best oils for oil pulling are those that can be eaten. These include coconut oil, sesame and sunflower oil. Coconut oil is best for oil pulling as it is high in lauric acid which has anti-microbial properties. It is very effective in getting rid of the bacteria that cause cavities. An ideal combination is coconut oil mixed with a few drops of medicinal essential oils such as frankincense, peppermint, clove or cinnamon oil.

Oil pulling helps to remove plaque, works against gingivitis and aids in resolving tooth discoloration. It also prevents bad breath. How does it work? The micro-organisms in your mouth are covered with a fatty membrane. When these cells come in contact with the oil in your mouth, they stick to each other. Therefore, it is extremely important that you spit out the oil with all the toxins, and never swallow.

Oil pulling tips

·   Start with a small amount of oil, not more than a teaspoon. If you fill your mouth with oil, it would be very uncomfortable and you would be tempted to swallow.

·   Start small. Start with 5 minutes a day and then gradually build up to twenty minutes. The longer you do it, the more bacteria and plaque you’ll remove. However, you should not exceed 20 minutes as your body may start to reabsorb the toxins.

·   Keep busy. Do oil pulling while in the shower, or while doing something else. If you feel the need to sneeze, it may mean that the oil is ready to come out so head to a loo and spit it out there. Oil pulling also clears the sinus cavities so you may find yourself blowing your nose when you’re done.

Method

Step 1 – Put the oil in your mouth

Put one tablespoon of coconut oil in your mouth and swish it around. Do this first thing in the morning before eating or drinking anything.

Step 2 – Swish

Swish it around your mouth for 10 – 20 minutes. Don’t gargle.  

Step 3 – Rinse

Spit out the oil and rinse your mouth with warm salty water. The salt is an extra antiseptic to help remove the germs that have pooled in your mouth as a result of the pulling. Don’t spit in the sink as the oil could clog your pipes.

Step 4 – Brush

Brush your teeth as normal.

Step 5 – Repeat

Repeat at least 3 times a week for the best results.