MOUTHWASH vs. OIL PULLING: WHICH IS BETTER?

Mouthwash kills all the bacteria that we have in our mouths, which is great for our dental health, right? Nope! Surprise surprise, it turns out that not all bacteria are bad for you.

So how can we kill the bad bacteria in our mouths without getting rid of the good bacteria? That’s right, oil pulling!

Oil pulling is a natural practice that is part of a holistic medicine system called Ayurveda. I started my Ayurveda journey 4 years ago when I read “The Idiots Guide to Ayurveda” by Sahara Rose. The first practice that instantly caught my attention was oil pulling because of the numerous health benefits.

Oil pulling consists of swishing a spoonful of either sesame or coconut oil in place of your daily mouthwash routine. Most people use coconut oil rather than sesame oil because it tastes better and is more readily available, however, that decision is up to you!

For best results, the practice should be performed daily for 15 to 20 minutes. I know from experience how hard it is to keep the oil swishing on your mouth for that long when you first start. But just like with Face Yoga (link to article), the more you practice the easier it becomes!

After you finish, spit the oil in the trash (remember not to spit it out in pipes) and take the excess oil out of your mouth by brushing your teeth with a different brush than the one you usually use.

Here are some benefits of oil pulling:

Improves bad breath.
Whitens teeth.
Reduces bad bacteria without killing the good ones.
Prevent plaque related issues.
Helps fight gingivitis and other gum health issues.

Before I started oil pulling, my gum health had worsened to the point that I was developing gingivitis. After just one week of oil pulling daily, I noticed a huge improvement with my gums that I just couldn't believe! Two weeks later, my teeth looked so much whiter that I actually started receiving compliments from people about my teeth.

Try it out and I think you will be amazed with the results!