The Brush-Up: What is Oil Pulling & What Are the Benefits?
Actresses Gwyneth Paltrow and Shailene Woodley swear by it, and supermodel Miranda Kerr does it every morning — but what is oil pulling exactly, and is it right for you? We’re sharing the science behind this time-tested practice and why you may want to add it to your daily routine.
What is Oil Pulling?
Inspired by an ancient Ayurvedic practice in India, oil pulling is a natural way to care for your teeth and gums with the inherently cleansing power of plant oils. The method involves swishing oil in your mouth to help remove harmful bacteria, and promote good oral hygiene.
How to Do Oil Pulling in a Few Easy Steps
When it comes to oil pulling, how often you do it depends on your preferences as well as your familiarity with the process. As for how long to oil pull, aim for at least three minutes of oil pulling at night to get started. We recommend building up to 20 minutes per day either morning or night. Keep in mind this can be done while you multitask, which makes the time commitment a lot easier.
Our vegan Coconut Oil Dual Phase Pulling Rinse is formulated with organic, non-GMO plant oils — including virgin coconut oil, sesame and sunflower oil — to help remove impurities from teeth and gums. It also freshens your breath with pure Australian tea tree, wintergreen and spearmint oils.
The best thing about our rinse is the fact that it’s dual phase. Traditional oil pulling uses straight oils, which are harder to swish around in the mouth. Our dual-phase rinse blends these oils with mouthwash for a clean, refreshing feeling and an easier swishing experience overall.
When using our Coconut Oil Pulling Rinse, shake the formula well for 10–15 seconds. Then, pour a capful into your mouth and gently swish it around between teeth and gums. Start with three minutes and work up to 20 minutes for best results. When you’re finished, spit the rinse into a garbage pail and not the sink or toilet, as oils may solidify in cooler temperatures. Be careful not to swallow the oil, and keep the rinse out of reach from children under six years of age.
Use it as needed to help reduce buildup, brighten your smile and boost your overall oral health in conjunction with (and not in place of) your regular brushing, flossing and mouthwash/brushing-rinse routine.
Oil Pulling Benefits for Healthy Teeth and Gums
Implementing oil pulling in your regular dental routine can help keep your smile looking its best. Here are just some of the proven benefits oil pulling can offer:
Oil pulling helps reduce the bad bacteria in your mouth.
The human mouth is host to approximately 700 types of bacteria, and certain types contribute to dental problems like bad breath, tooth decay and gum disease. According to a variety of clinical studies, oil pulling can help significantly reduce the amount of harmful bacteria in your mouth.
Oil pulling can keep your breath fresh.
Oil pulling can also help keep your breath smelling fresh by reducing bacteria and microorganisms, and help improve poor oral hygiene.
Oil pulling can help improve gum health.
Several studies have shown that oil pulling could help reduce the number of harmful bacteria in the month. Decreasing the number of bacteria in the mouth can help support proper oral hygiene.
Do you already practice oil pulling, or is it something you want to include in your nightly routine? Connect with us on Facebook and Instagram to let us know