Oil Pulling for Gum Disease

Does Oil Pulling Help Gum Disease? My Personal Experience with Using Oil Pulling for Gum Disease!

I was very skeptical about using oil pulling for gum disease at first. In fact I didn’t just believe that rinsing my mouth with oil would benefit my oral health in any way.

I know I wasn’t the only skeptic… there has been an ongoing debate back and forth regarding oil pulling. Some believe it is helpful and others believe the opposite!

However, after giving it some thought, I said, why not! I really had nothing to lose by giving it a try.

After all there has NOT been any report of any adverse side effects of oil pulling.

Now, let me give you a little back story of my situation. I have had gum problems on and off since I was a little kid.

Ironically I never had problems with my teeth…NO cavities till date. My gums are so sensitive and prone to inflammation. I have sensitive skin too, so maybe there is a correlation!

So I have always battled with swollen gums, redness and bleeding and nothing ever worked for me.

Then I read about oil pulling, never believed it would help, but later changed my mind and decided to give it a try.

So what is Oil Pulling?

Oil pulling originated from Ayurvedic medicine more than 3000 years ago. It is an integral part of the Ayurvedic holistic approach to oral health.

It simply means swishing organic edible oil around in your mouth for about 20 minutes.

How Does Oil Pulling Work for Gum Disease?

The reasoning behind using oil pulling for gum disease and other oral health problems is, the oil helps to pull out toxins and bacteria from the gum and in-between the teeth.

These bacteria are the culprits behind tooth decay, gum disease, bad breath and other oral health problems.

But the traditional mouthwash kills those germs, you may argue. Yes it may, but it also destroys the good bacteria and could cause dry mouth because of the harsh chemicals it contains.

Meanwhile oil draws out the toxins and bad bacteria without destroying the good bacteria.

The oil also helps to moisturize your gums and entire mouth, thereby preventing dryness. It is important to note that dry mouth can lead to bad breath and tooth decay.

Which Oil is Best for Oil Pulling?

You can use any edible oil such as sesame, coconut or olive oil. Although sesame oil was the most used in Ayurvedic medicine, coconut oil is the most recommended in the modern times.

This is because coconut oil has been found to eliminate Streptococcus mutans, the bacteria that cause tooth decay.  In fact, 50% of the fat in coconut oil consists of Lauric acid, which is known to inhibit strep mutans.

I also personally prefer coconut oil. I started oil pulling with sesame oil, but never liked it, so I switched to using coconut oil and I instantly loved it.

May be it’s because I just love coconut oil. It is a constant in my kitchen cabinet…it is one of my favorite healthy cooking oils. I also use it for my hair and skin as well as for constipation relief!

The following recommendations are for healthy adults only. It is important to note that cinnamon, peppermint, and clove can be irritating to some people.

If you are sensitive it is recommended that you only use the plain coconut oil. If you are pregnant or breast feeding do not use the listed essential oils!

Always do a skin test for any essential oil that is new to you.

• 8 Essential Oil Dangers and Risks
• How to Dilute Essential Oils for Topical Use
• Essential Oils that are Safe for Kids
• Essential Oils to Use During Pregnancy

Oil Pulling Directions

• 1 tbs of organic unrefined coconut oil (I use this brand) or any other oil of your choice.
• Add 1 drop of essential oil (peppermint, cinnamon or clove) to the coconut oil (optional). These essential oils are known to benefit oral health. I personally use clove oil (this is my favorite) and it has been working well for me.
• Swish for about 15 to 20 minutes. Yes I know, 20 minutes is a long period of time! However, you can do it while doing some other things, like while in the shower, watching TV, reading a book…. Anything! You won’t even know when the time passes by. In fact I swish for up to 25 minutes sometimes.
• Don’t swallow the oil – it is full of toxic bacteria
• Don’t spit the oil’s in your sink or toilet, it will solidify under cold temperature and may clog your drainage. You should rather spit it into the trash.
• Rinse mouth with warm water (warm water gets rid of the oil faster)
• Brush teeth as normal
  

Nutiva Organic Coconut Oil, Virgin, 15 OzNOW Peppermint Essential Oil, 1 Oz.NOW Pure Clove Essential Oil, 2 ounce

Coconut Oil Pulling for Gum Disease – My Experience!

I started using oil pulling for gum disease about 1 year ago and I have seen remarkable improvements in the health of my gums.

The incessant swellings have stopped and the redness has reduced drastically. I have even noticed reversal in the two areas where I had started to develop receding gums. My mouth feels cleaner and my breath is fresher!

It is important to note that it didn’t all happen over night. I actually wanted to stop after on month trial because I didn’t really see the type of result I wanted.

But I kept going and after 3 months, the improvements became more visible.

So, I will advise that you give it time to work.

Note: Oil puling should not replace your normal oral hygiene such as brushing and flossing nor should it replace regular dental check up. Instead it should be used as part of a holistic approach to dental care. And be sure to consult with your dentist if you suspect you have gum infection or dental problems.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not intend to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition. It is always recommended that you seek the advise of your private medical doctor.