How Do You Get Your Teeth So White?

The Secrets of Oil Pulling

I love my oils!

I love my teeth.  As a matter of fact : one of my favorite personal care activities is brushing my teeth!   So, it goes along to say that I am a big advocate for a healthy mouth which equals a healthy body. 

I'm often asked how I keep my teeth so white.  My little secret is ... oil pulling. 

Oil pulling is easy.  It's fast.  It's economical.  It's uber beneficial to your oral hygiene as well as your overall well-being. 

Here's what it is and how to do it :

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What is Oil Pulling?

Oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic technique dating back about 3000 years.  It involves swishing oil in the mouth for a short period of time between 5 minutes and 20 minutes each day or as a weekly ritual. It is mentioned in the Ayurvedic text Charaka Samhita where it is called Kavala Gandusha or Kavala Graha and is referred to as medicinal gargling.  It is a very important element to oral hygiene that has other benefits to the body's overall health and well-being. 

If we agree that the mouth houses millions of bacteria, fungi, viruses and other toxins, then the oil acts like a cleanser, pulling out the toxicity before they get a chance to spread throughout the body.

It's kind of a miracle how it works.

If the bacteria, fungi and other toxins are not passed through the system, then the immune system is free to activate other elements and helps the body reduce stress, curtail internal inflammation and other more immediate "attacks" on the system.  This all equals a more vibrant body and system in present time.

Oil pulling has many benefits and I encourage you to do your research. There are many books and information written on the topic. 

I would also encourage you to just start doing it and see how you feel.  Be your own physician and test the process. 

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How does Oil Pulling Work?

First thing in the morning on an empty stomach and before drinking any liquids (including water), take one tablespoon of sunflower or sesame oil or coconut oil into your mouth. Do not swallow the oil but swish it around for 5-20 minutes.  You can multi-task here and check your emails, social media, make breakfast for you kids or hang with your pet.  Enjoy the swishing and DO NOT SWALLOW!

When the time is up, spit out the oil in a napkin and discard in the trash.

DO NOT SPIT THE OIL DOWN THE DRAIN UNLESS YOU WANT CLOGGED DRAINS IN YOUR FUTURE!

Rinse your mouth with water or brush your teeth.  And that's it! 

Continue with your day.  It's as easy and beautiful as that.

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Which Oils to Use

Ayurveda traditionally recommended certain oils for oil pulling depending on your dosha : kapha, pitta and vata.

Personally, I love sesame oil but many people enjoy coconut oil.

Sesame oil is more warming than other oils and may be more gently detoxifying than other oils that are “colder” energetically. It has a somewhat strong sesame flavor, which is a familiar food taste for most people. Sunflower oil has a milder taste if you prefer that.  Coconut oil is a familiar taste for many people. It has a cooler energy than sesame oil, so it’s good for people who tend to have a warmer constitution or condition of heat. Some people have reported that coconut oil is more strongly detoxifying, which isn’t always a good thing for some people, so it’s best to be cautious and go slowly

You can experiment, trying different types of oils to see which one feels best to you. You can also experiment with oil pulling for a longer or shorter duration, and doing it more or less often. It is recommended to use organic, unrefined, cold pressed oils.

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Benefits of Oil Pulling

1. WHITENS TEETH
Top of the list!   The oil has natural antibiotic and antiviral properties that brighten and clean teeth, keeping them quite white. Try it for two weeks and test the results.

2. INCREASES ENERGY
Oil pulling lowers the amount of energy the immune system has to generate to continually clear out toxicity.  This naturally helps us to feel better holistically.

3. DETOXES THE BODY
One of the gateways of germs into the body is through the mouth. Taking out the germs at the source helps to prevent the spread within the body.

4. AIDS HORMONAL CHANGES
Without having to compete with other elements, hormones can function better.

5. REDUCES HEADACHES
Oil pulling is a big time help with headaches and migraines.  All I can say is try it the next time you wake up with a headache from having drank too much alcohol the night before and see how you feel.

6. KEEPS THE SKIN CLEAR
Removing toxins from the body that would otherwise make it into the bloodstream means the skin has a chance to shine. Rashes and skin issues often reduce dramatically, or even clear up completely, when oil pulling.

7. PROMOTES ORAL HYGIENE
Oil pulling is highly effective at reducing tooth cavities and at eliminating bad breath. 

When you start this technique, you might experience some of the positive effects immediately, or it may take a few days or even weeks. It will be personal and particular to you and it will also depend on the state of your immune system. 

Try it!  It's easy.  And, then let me know how it goes!!!!

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Are you an Oil Puller?  Share your experience in the comments!

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