There is no doubt that coconut oil has plenty of benefits. However, in tooth decay prevention, all that is needed is swishing approximately one tablespoon of oil in your mount for about 20 minutes and then spitting it out. It may surprise you to know that sesame oil and sunflower oils work just as much as coconut oil. This method is called Oil Pulling.
Unlike some other home remedies, this method is not based on pseudo-science. Studies have shown that oil pulling helps reduce gingivitis, plaque, and microorganisms that could cause bad breath. This is because most microorganisms inhibiting the mouth consist of a single cell. These cells are covered with lipids or fatty membrane which is the cell’s skin. When these cells come into contact with oil, a fat, they naturally adhere to each other.
Would you like to try it out? Here are the steps you need to take;
Use coconut oil
Even though you can as well get some bacteria-reducing benefits from sesame oil and sunflower oils, coconut oil has added the benefit of lauric acid which is well known for its anti-bacterial agents, making it more effective and useful in the prevention of tooth decay.
Start with just five minutes a day
Swishing for twenty minutes is a long time, especially if you are just starting. Even though the longer you pull, the more bacteria you’ll remove, five or ten minutes will still offer some benefits. Also, if your jaw starts aching just a few minutes in, take it slow. A gentle swishing, pushing and sucking the oil through the teeth is all that is required.
Do not swallow
If you find it difficult not to swallow, then it is most likely you have too much oil in your mouth. Simply spit it out and try again with a smaller amount of oil. Also, do not spit it down the sink because the oil could clog your pipes. Just discard the used oil into the nearest trash can.
Do not skip brushing and flossing
Oil pulling in any way should not replace your routine dental visits and traditional home oral care. This is because it does not reverse the effects of tooth decay, however, it is great supplemental therapy.
I hope my post was useful. Why not give it a try today and feel free to share your experience.
