Well Keith did. Way more faithfully than I did! I started off doing it 2-3 times a week and then kept forgetting. But I think after reading Keith's reflections on it below - I'm totally going to be more consistent with it. Without further ado, the blog on Oil Pulling...written by Keith!
- Beka
Oil Pulling
I once told my dentist that I didn't use regular toothpaste… she did not approve. I figured she wouldn't understand, unless it's fluoride or anti-bacterial, everything else is hokey in her eyes. So, on my next visit, a year later I didn't bring up the whole natural thing again, and she didn't remember. She asked me if I use regular toothpaste or sensitive toothpaste, I just said "regular", and without any bias she checked my teeth, did some cleaning and said "Everything looks great! Keep doing what you're doing." I will! All that to say my teeth were pretty good before I started oil pulling, so that will be my base starting point. I've been doing oil pulling for around 2 months now. Pretty consistently, but missed a few days here and there.
Here's how you do it:
Take 1 tablespoon of oil, put it in your mouth, and gently swish around your mouth for 10–20 minutes. Preferably on an empty stomach first thing in the morning. Spit it out in the garbage.
That's it! The proper oil to use is either sesame oil (cold pressed, and preferably organic) or sunflower oil (organic if you can). Use sesame oil if you don't mind the taste, if you don't want any taste, use the sunflower oil. Supposedly those are the 2 best oils to use, other oils are reportedly less effective. That said, I haven't used either of those oils yet. I intend to get the sesame oil, but it just hasn't happened yet. So I've been using, what most people agreed is the next best thing, coconut oil.
Time is key. I find anything less than 10 minutes is not satisfying at all. Be sure to keep swishing it around your mouth and between your teeth until enough saliva has been mixed in so that the oil is clear and watery. Spit it out in the garbage, rinse well and brush your teeth.
Oil pulling helps clean, melts plague away, whitens teeth and… possibly adds 20 more years to you life… who knows. Now, supposedly, oil pulling helps pull the toxins out of your body and into the oil as well. So when you spit it out, that oil is toxic, make sure you dispose of it cleanly. I don't know how much of that is true. There hasn't been any studies done on it. But, this Ayurvedic practice has been done for thousands of years. Just because there is a lack of graphs doesn't mean it can't be true. I read a blog online who vented that oil pulling does not work, the only reason their oral health is better is because they spend more time and care cleaning their teeth hence better health as a result. Or… maybe it does work?
Anyways, whether it works or not, the overall result is better oral health. I feel fantastic after oil pulling it. It helps with bad breath, and I love that coconut aftertaste… despite it being supposedly toxic in my mouth. I've never gotten compliments on my teeth before, and after a week of oil pulling both Rebeka and my mother in law both commented on how white my teeth looks. WHAT?
The first time swishing was awkward. I keep thinking I was going to swallow it, or worried that my gag reflex would be in a huff. But you get use to it after a few practices. If you're squeamish, it may take a few tries.
So, in conclusion, my teeth feel whiter, fresher and overall cleaner. It also feels less sensitive. Most importantly, it didn't dissolve my teeth away. Will post an update when I get the sesame oil.
Verdict: Love it! Highly recommend you try it, your mouth will love you for it.
- Keith
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| The coconut oil we use from Costco at the moment (Image from: ohsheglows.com) |
