THE ART OF OIL PULLING
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oil pulling has never been an Ayurvedic daily routine that I’ve been drawn to until I spent time with a friend recently who does it daily. She had the whitest teeth I’d ever seen inspiring me to get back into my practice.
Not only does swishing oil around your mouth for 20 minutes every morning whiten your teeth, it is likely to clear up your skin, improve your oral hygiene and pull out bacteria and fungus, alleviating inflammation, congestion and allergies.
Oil pulling may also help with:
Bad breath
Bleeding gums
Cavities
Gingivitis
Plaque
Sensitive teeth
Moistening the mouth, lips, and throat
It’s best to practice oil pulling in the morning. I like to do it when I don’t have to speak to anyone such as in the shower. It will quickly become as natural as brushing your teeth. here’s how to do it:
Measure out 1–2 teaspoons of oil and put it in your mouth. Coconut, sesame, or sunflower oil is recommended for best results. Use the highest quality oil possible.
Swish and pull the oil around your mouth and between your teeth. Start with five minutes and build your way up to 20 minutes or more. Be careful not to swallow the oil since it contains toxins and bacteria from your mouth.
When you’re ready to spit out the liquid, make sure you do so in the garbage. Oil can clog your drains.
Rinse your mouth out with salt water or water mixed with a little apple cider vinegar to ensure that all the oil is out of your mouth.
After you’ve thoroughly rinsed your mouth, brush your teeth well to kill any bacterial remnants.
I’m always so surprised how much comes out from this daily practice. Try it, you’ll see :)
references
institute for integrative nutrition, www.integrativenutrition.com