Go Green in 2014: Week 20
We're twenty weeks in already... Twenty weeks into my green challenge, and twenty weeks into 2014. I can hardly believe it. Anyway, moving on to this week's challenge: oil pulling and other natural methods for cleaning our teeth.
You might have heard of oil pulling recently - it's been touted all over the web as the newest health 'trend' (although it's actually been around for thousands of years). Well, here's one more post on oil pulling because, after all, there aren't
nearly enough out there already.
I've been oil pulling for over a year now. First, what exactly is it?
How to 'oil pull'
All you need to do is place a spoonful of a healthy oil (coconut, sunflower, sesame, olive, etc.) in your mouth and swish for twenty minutes. That's it. Easier said than done, though, right?
Some people have a problem with the taste and feeling of oil in their mouths. Some even gag on it at first. I use virgin coconut oil, which has a slight coconut flavor (sorry, it's not the one in the picture - I use refined for cooking since it doesn't have the coconut flavor), and it didn't take me long to get used to it, but it could be different for you.
Tips:
- Start out oil pulling for five minutes if you have a hard time getting used to the experience, then work your way up to twenty minutes - but no longer than that.
- Do it first thing in the morning, which is one of the times during the day when the bacteria count in your mouth is highest. If you do it twice a day, the second time could be right before going to bed at night to ensure an extra-clean mouth while you sleep.
- Do not swallow the oil; it will collect lots of bacteria in your mouth that you probably don't want going through your digestive system. Remember, the reason you're oil pulling in the first place is to remove these yuckies from your mouth.
- Spit the oil into the trash can, not the sink or toilet. It could potentially clog your plumbing.
- Rinse your mouth well after oil pulling. I always oil pull first thing in the morning while getting ready for work, then brush my teeth after eating breakfast - but this is just what works best for me.
Benefits of Oil Pulling
- Pulls disease-causing bacteria from around the teeth and gums
- Whitens teeth
- Reduces sensitivity
- Reduces bad breath
- Could prevent/reduce periodontal disease
- Helps with acne, eczema, and dermatitis
- Reduces allergies and asthma
- Removes mucous and relieves congestion
- Relieves PMS
- And more...
Does oil pulling actually work?
You are probably wondering if it actually works, or if it's way over-hyped. I won't claim that it's a miracle cure, because I haven't noticed any huge changes in my health. However, I do believe (and
research backs this up) that oral health correlates with our overall systemic health. When our mouths are healthy, our bodies are freed up to work on healing other health problems.
Benefits I've noticed since I started oil pulling: cleaner feeling in my mouth, better breath, whiter teeth, and reduced sensitivity. As long as I have been oil pulling, I haven't gotten a cold or allergies (but I did last fall when I took a break from it). And for the most part, I don't seem to get menstrual cramps as strong I have in the past, although that could just be a coincidence. As an experiment this past week, I stopped oil pulling for a few days, and I did notice that my mouth didn't feel nearly as clean, my teeth felt a lot more sensitive, and I'm pretty sure I had worse morning breath!
More natural dental health tips
I use oil pulling as a replacement for mouthwash, but it should not be used as a replacement for brushing your teeth. If you like, you could also make a mouthwash using essential oils (make sure they are safe to use orally) or with
Dr. Bronner's peppermint soap. To brush, I look for whatever natural toothpaste I can find in the organic section at the grocery store, although there are lots of recipes for homemade toothpaste. Some people brush with baking soda, which is a natural teeth whitener, although I feel that it's too harsh as a long-term solution. For whitening, I have heard of people who use activated charcoal, although I haven't used it personally.
Should you try oil pulling?
Sure, twenty minutes is a long time. But you can easily do your daily oil pulling while showering, reading, watching TV, cleaning, during your morning primping routine...and so on. However, make sure to read the disclaimer below before starting your oil pulling routine.
*Disclaimer: I am not a dental or medical professional, and this is not intended to replace professional advice or regular dentist visits. You should never use oil pulling as a replacement for medical treatment. If you are pregnant or have a medical condition, see your doctor and ask if it is safe for you to try oil pulling.
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**Disclosure: Although this post may contain affiliate links, all opinions are my own.
Your challenge: This
week, consider trying oil pulling, at least for a few minutes to get started. Once you have gotten used to it, try working your way up to twenty minutes.
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**This post is part of a weekly challenge {Go Green in 2014}, during
which the author has challenged herself - and you - to find 52 ways to
lead a greener life in 2014. You can follow the weekly posts on this page.**
