Coconut oil is a true all-rounder. Whether in food preparation, as care for healthy hair, or in skincare – the oil from the coconut is versatile. For a few years now, it has also been used in oral care. Oil pulling is said to be able to neutralize cavity-causing bacteria, care for the gums, whiten teeth, and prevent bad breath.
Oil pulling with coconut oil: Where does the method come from?
The oil treatment comes from Ayurvedic teachings and is part of the body's detoxification process. Oil pulling is a central practice in this and is applied several times a month up to daily. Due to its antibacterial properties, coconut oil is increasingly being used as an oil for mouth pulling.
A healthy oral flora through coconut oil
Coconut oil was first attributed with antibacterial properties in 2012. In the oral cavity, the oil is said to be able to bind toxins and bacteria through dynamic back-and-forth movement.
The main cause of cavities is the bacterium Streptococcus mutans. The yeast fungus Candida albicans is also responsible for inflammatory gum diseases. Both organisms naturally occur in the oral cavity and can be killed by the lauric acid contained in coconut oil.
These findings suggest that regular oil pulling with coconut oil can improve oral health.
Important: Oil pulling does not replace regular dental care! Please pay attention to your health and do not neglect your oral hygiene.
The ritual of oil pulling with coconut oil - The execution
Coconut oil is available for purchase in both supermarkets and drugstores. Some stores have already pre-packaged the oil for oil pulling in the oral care department.
Directly after getting up, take a tablespoon or a packet of coconut oil and let it dissolve in your mouth. Since the oil is solid at normal room temperature, it may take a moment for it to become liquid due to your body heat.
Is the coconut oil liquid, you start by pulling it through your teeth. For this, close your teeth completely or partially and rinse your mouth for several minutes. There are different recommendations for the duration of use. Some suggest three to five minutes, while others recommend up to 20 minutes. Tip: Experiment a little and find a duration that works well for you.
When you're done, spit the oil into the trash can and rinse with some water. Oil pulling may feel unusual at first. Don't let that discourage you!
Conclusion
The oil pulling with coconut oil has a long tradition and can improve your oral hygiene. However, it has not been proven that it makes teeth whiter.
If you want whiter teeth, it's no longer about bacteria and fungi, but about color pigments. These have accumulated over time on the enamel and in the upper layers of the tooth and need to be removed in other ways. For this, there is the teeth whitening system from OnlySmile, which can whiten your teeth in just 30 minutes. The OnlySmile teeth whitening kit contains everything you need to... your radiant smile back.
The teeth whitening with OnlySmile is easy, safe, and painless.
Foto: shutterstock – Fascinadora, OnlySmile
Author: Beatrix Eckhard (blogguru.de)