As you probably have noticed recently, oil pulling with coconut oil has become a top trend both for health enthusiasts and the general public. There’s a lot of talk going around about oil pulling with coconut oil benefits, potential coconut oil pulling dangers and all sorts of other aspects about teeth pulling with coconut oil. When the topic of oil pulling with refined coconut oil comes around, there are usually two main perspectives: you either love it or you don’t believe in it. In the end, do oil pulling coconut oil teeth whitening properties really exist? Are there any oil pulling with coconut oil side effects that need to be considered beforehand? How do you oil pull with coconut oil? And, most importantly, what are the genuine health benefits of oil pulling with coconut oil?
We have the answers to all of these questions and much more. We will talk about various conclusions from oil pulling with coconut oil reviews, how to do oil pulling with coconut oil and if oil pulling with coconut oil for acne or oil pulling with coconut oil for weight loss are true. Read everything you need to know about pulling teeth with coconut oil below.
What is Oil Pulling with Coconut Oil?
First of all, let’s set the record straight. Oil pulling therapy with coconut oil didn’t just suddenly appear overnight. In fact, this Ayurvedic medicine technique has been along for far longer than we have. Also regarded as ‘gundusha’ or ‘kavala’, tooth pulling with coconut oil takes a natural and holistic approach to dental and general hygiene. In a nutshell, mouth pulling with coconut oil involves swishing the oil in your mouth for a particular period of time in order to cleanse your oral cavity. Toxin pulling with coconut oil is said to be highly effective owing to the anti-microbial, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties that coconut oil possesses.
Unfortunately, there isn’t that much research that can currently back up the benefits of oil pulling with coconut oil. However, those who do practice oil pulling with virgin coconut oil claim that its benefits are visible, numerous and delightful. Coconut oil isn’t the only kind that is used with oil pulling. Some individuals prefer to use olive oil or sesame seed oil for pulling. Nevertheless, coconut oil remains the most popular option for oil pulling, owing to the properties described above and the benefits of detox with coconut oil pulling that we will explain below.
The process certainly isn’t for everyone, but those who can manage to oil pull with coconut oil on a regular basis are highly pleased with the results they get.
Coconut Oil Pulling Benefits
There isn’t just one benefit of oil pulling with coconut oil. Actually, the list is pretty lengthy and covers a wide range of health issues, not just maintaining a clean mouth and proper dental hygiene. Moreover, there are certain benefits that oil pulling has and others that coconut oil has. If you combine them, you get the best of both worlds and reportedly boost your all-around health.
As far as oil pulling is concerned, here are some of the key benefits that are said to work:
- Teeth whitening
- Bad breath remover
- Cavity prevention
- Bleeding gum protection
- Chapped lips relief
- Acne management
- Heart disorder prevention
- Anti-inflammatory benefits
- Immune system boost
- Tooth decay healer and more.
As for coconut oil, almost all of us know how amazing it can be for the human body. Its health benefits and properties are almost countless. Not only is coconut oil a trusted agent for skin care, but it can also help with multiple health problems. These are just a few examples:
- Hormone control
- Skin moisturizing
- Cellulite reduction
- Blood sugar management
- Digestion boost
- Alzheimer’s management and more.
There are also some claims regarding oil pulling weight loss benefits. While it may have helped some people lose weight, you should know that it won’t work as your single solution. Healthy weight loss can only be obtained through a combination of frequent exercise and a balanced diet, together with drinking lots of water. If you add oil pulling with coconut oil to the equation, you might get enhanced results, but never rely on one ingredient to shed pounds.
Coconut Oil Pulling Side Effects
Now, some individuals claim that there are quite a few side effects attached to the idea of oil pulling with coconut oil when, in fact, the process is virtually harmless. If you follow the instructions on how to oil pull with coconut oil properly, you shouldn’t experience any problems from beginning to end.
Nevertheless, there are some downsides to oil pulling with coconut oil (but they can hardly be considered side effects). As we mentioned before, oil pulling isn’t for everyone, especially if you get squeamish easily. Some people mentioned that they got nauseous their first few times around, and it’s completely understandable. The texture of coconut oil – even when melted beforehand – can cause slight discomfort for those using it. A few other ‘side effects’ of oil pulling with coconut oil would be:
- Muscle soreness in the mouth area
- Possible mucous release
- Slight nausea or gagging sensation
Generally speaking, there aren’t any notable side effects to oil pulling with coconut oil that can cause you harm. You might get tired from swishing oil around in your mouth for so long, but it’s not anywhere near the idea of being threatening.
How to Do Oil Pulling: Step-by-step Guide
If your curiosity has been sparked and you want to try out oil pulling with coconut oil for yourself, you can get your ingredients ready. Make sure that you have about 20 minutes free because you won’t be able to talk. If you find oil pulling difficult at the beginning, you might not be able to make the full 20 minutes. However, even swishing for 5 or 10 minutes will still have a fairly good impact on your health. These is what you will need for oil pulling with coconut oil:
- 1-2 tablespoons of melted coconut oil
- A glass of water
- A bit of salt
- An empty glass or a sink
- Toothbrush, toothpaste and floss for aftercare
We strongly recommend oil pulling with coconut oil in the morning, on an empty stomach. If possible, don’t even drink water prior to oil pulling so you can enjoy the best results. When you have everything set up, simply follow these instructions:
1. Swish
- Take one or two tablespoons of coconut oil. If this is your first time, you can use less.
- Gently melt the coconut oil until it reaches liquid form.
- Place the coconut oil in your mouth and slowly start swishing it all around.
- Make sure that you don’t swish too fast or aggressively so you won’t get tired quick. The process is similar to using mouthwash, but you shouldn’t swish as fast.
- Maintain the swishing for 20 minutes or as long as you can.
2. Spit & Rinse
- Spit in the empty glass you have, making sure you don’t swallow any of the coconut oil. As an alternative, use your sink or another container.
- Take a bit of salt and mix it in your glass of fresh water.
- Use the salt water to thoroughly rinse the inside of your mouth and to boost the cleaning effects.
3. Wash
- To finish the process, brush your teeth as you normally would.
- Don’t forget to floss afterwards.
- Repeat the process daily for the best effects.
As you probably have noticed, if you just tried oil pulling with coconut oil, it might make you feel a little uneasy at first. You don’t have to worry; you will get use to oil pulling in time if you decide to follow this form of natural therapy.
Oil Pulling Results – Does Oil Pulling Really Work?
Now that you know the upsides and downsides to oil pulling with coconut oil and how to practice it, you are probably curious about the results. Will it really help whiten teeth, battle tooth decay, solve bad breath problems or event prevent heart disease? Unfortunately, we can only talk about the physical ‘evidence’ that oil pulling with coconut oil leaves.
Those who do this regularly are thrilled that their teeth have indeed become whiter and they feel their oral cavity is much cleaner. However, as with any natural solution or home remedy, you need to be persistent for results to appear. Even though you might feel your mouth super clean after one oil pulling session, it takes practice and patience for the results you really desire to be seen.
Final Thoughts
To conclude, oil pulling with coconut oil may or may not be the ideal solution for maintaining a clean mouth and a healthy body. It all really depends on your beliefs and if you trust natural remedies more than over-the-counter medication. The benefits of oil pulling with coconut oil are plenty, so it’s worth giving it a shot at least for a week or two to see if it’s the solution you have been looking for.
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