Oil pulling for healthy teeth and gums

Oil pulling for healthy teeth and gums

Hundreds of bacteria reside in the mouth. Keep your teeth and gums healthy by practicing good dental hygiene.

by Paula Owens — 

The health of your teeth, mouth and gums has a profound impact on the health of your entire body. In fact, poor oral health and hidden dental infections can be making you tired, inflamed and “tox-sick.”

Research has shown that root canals, mercury fillings and other dental work can often leave behind toxins that are released into the bloodstream. Many cases of sudden heart attack have been traced to root canals or pulled wisdom teeth in which a cavitation remains or an infection develops.

It was Weston A. Price, D.D.S., who became suspicious that root-canaled teeth always remained infected, in spite of treatments. Root-canaled teeth are essentially “dead” teeth that can become silent incubators for highly toxic anaerobic bacteria that can, under certain conditions, make their way into the bloodstream to cause a number of serious medical conditions — many not appearing until decades later, causing chronic degenerative and neurological diseases.

When left untreated, leaky, infected root canals and hidden dental infections are a major source of inflammation, a serious health hazard and can result in an underlying cause of baffling health problems, ranging from thyroid dysfunction to many other glandular and organ issues.

Tooth loss, dental infections, gum disease and harmful bacteria that live in your mouth increase the risk of dementia, hypertension, Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, arthritis, osteoporosis, diabetes and stroke.

Oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic method of dental and systemic cleansing where sesame oil or coconut oil is swished in your mouth. It works by removing disease-causing micro-organisms and toxins in the mouth that can lead to poor health. This treatment has been used extensively for many years as an effective and affordable do-it-yourself oral health remedy.

Oil pulling strengthens the immune system, reduces bacteria and gum inflammation, stops gum recession, naturally whitens teeth, fights bad breath, helps prevent tooth decay and cavities, and reduces plaque-related gingivitis. It is effective against bacterial biofilms and improves your overall oral microbiome.

Oil pulling how-to  

Step one — Start with approximately one tablespoon (teaspoon for young children) of either sesame or coconut oil in the mouth (preferably organic, non-GMO and cold-pressed). Coconut oil contains predominantly medium chain fatty acids and is approximately 50 percent lauric acid, which has the best direct antimicrobial effectiveness against bacteria and yeast, and has anti-inflammatory effects.

Step two — Swish the oil around in your mouth and between the teeth for five to 10 minutes working up to 20 minutes. The oil will thin and turn milky white.

Step three — The oil should not be swallowed. After 20 minutes, spit the oil into the trash (not your sink), and rinse your mouth with water or salt water (a mixture of water and Celtic sea salt). Then, floss and brush your teeth with fluoride-free toothpaste.

Hundreds of bacteria reside in the mouth. Keep your teeth and gums healthy by practicing good dental hygiene. Implement oil pulling into your oral hygiene regimen. Brush your teeth and tongue two to three times daily, use a tongue scraper, and floss every single day.

Daily flossing is crucial, as it disrupts invisible microbial biofilms. If flossing causes bleeding and pain, this is indicative of unhealthy gums due to an overgrowth of bacteria below the gum line. Replace your toothbrush every month to prevent bacteria buildup.

Paula Owens, M.S., is a holistic nutritionist, Functional Health practitioner, and fitness and fat-loss expert with more than 25 years of experience. She is the author of The Power of 4 and Fat Loss Revolution. paulaowens.com.

Reprinted from AzNetNews, Volume 34, Number 6, December 2015/January 2016.