If you want excellent dental hygiene, then you need to add oil pulling to your daily routine. It can be a big commitment and will take some time getting used to, but it’s the best way to take your hygiene to the next level and improve the health of your teeth and gums. There’s a reason why this practice is getting more and more popular. We’ll tell you what to expect and how to start oil pulling. We use sesame oil as an example, but you can use any oil you want.
What is Oil Pulling?
The process itself is pretty straightforward. Basically you take a few tablespoons of sesame oil and then swish it around in your mouth non-stop for 20 minutes. When the oil is in your mouth it is gathering bacteria and extracting that bacteria. After the 20 minutes is up you spit out the oil, rinse your mouth with water, and then brush your teeth. This ensures that there won’t be any bacteria lingering around after the pull.
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Benefits of Oil Pulling
The main benefit is that your mouth will become much cleaner. The system is designed to completely detoxify your mouth, and it does so in a way that mouthwashes can’t. There are some quality mouthwashes available, but they simply aren’t as effective. They are more convenient, but less effective.
But in addition to a clean mouth, the procedure can also: fix bad breath, reduce inflammation, whiten your teeth, and strengthen your jaw.
Instructions
In order to start pulling you will need to have oil. Any oil will do but we prefer to use sesame oil because it has a strong rich flavor that no other oil can match. So when you have your oil then you are ready to go. Here’s the exact instructions:
- Put 1-2 tablespoons of sesame seed oil in your mouth
- Swish the oil around your mouth for 15 minutes (it’s good to use a timer).
- Spit the oil into the trash. Don’t spit into the sink because it could clog the drain.
- Rinse your mouth with water.
- Brush your teeth to remove any excess bacteria.
Most people prefer to pull in the morning to start their day, but it really doesn’t matter that much when you do it.
Note: You can experiment as to how much oil you put in your mouth. Most times the amount of liquid in your mouth will expand due to your saliva. You don’t want to put in too much because it will be tough to swish around and you’ll be uncomfortable. But you don’t want to put in too little because then it won’t be as effective. It’s important to find a balance.
For your first pull you need to know what to expect. The process may sound easy, but it’s not too easy- especially your first time. Usually the first time will be the most difficult and afterwards you might say to yourself “I’m never going to do that again”. The process is tough at first mainly because you’re going to use small jaw muscles that don’t have much endurance.
After the 7-10 minute mark your jaw is going to get really tired which makes it almost painful to continue. But just realize that it does get easier over time. After a few weeks your jaw muscles will get stronger and you won’t even realize that the 20 minutes have gone by.
Best Sesame Oil to Use
Not all sesame oil is created equally. It’s best to go with a high quality brand because it will make the experience more enjoyable, and thus motivating you to do it more.
For a specific brand we recommend La Tourangelle, they produce a rich, toasted sesame oil that is both kosher and non-GMO. The flavor is bold yet not overpowering. This brand is also quite affordable so there’s little to lose by trying it out.
Conclusion
So now that you know the process, it’s time to get started! All you need to do is buy the oil, follow the steps, and you are on your way to having a very clean mouth. Just make sure that you follow the instructions closely, and pull for the entire 15 minute interval.