Oil pulling: Ayurvedic wellness for gums and teeth

Brushing your teeth in the morning and evening is part of daily hygiene without any ifs and buts. However, the bacteria in the oral cavity are often very stubborn and can sometimes be poorly removed from hard-to-reach places with a toothbrush.

That is why holistic cleaning rituals such as oil pulling are becoming more and more fashionable. Bad breath and tooth discoloration should be eliminated in this way. In addition, the blood flow to the gums is to be stimulated. The oral cavity can then be better supplied with oxygen and nutrients.

Oil pulling originally comes from the traditional Indian healing art of Ayurveda. According to this, oil is to be drawn through the mouth directly after getting up in order to bind and remove the bacteria and deposits that have accumulated overnight. After this cleansing ritual, everyone can start the day refreshed.

What has been part of oral hygiene in Ayurveda for thousands of years is still in its infancy in our latitudes. A number of studies are now looking at the effect of oil pulling and there are also initial findings that oil pulling is effective against periodontosis, fights pathogens in the mouth and helps against bad breath. However, the data are not yet sufficient for well-founded proof. However, many good practical experiences speak for oil pulling, so that it is worth trying it out.

Oil pulling: This is how it works

Oil pulling takes some getting used to, but it is a sensible addition to the usual dental cleaning with toothbrush, dental floss and mouth rinse. Oil pulling is recommended in the morning directly after getting up. It is best not to drink or eat anything beforehand, so that the bacteria can be bound in the mouth and not enter the body.

This is how you proceed:

Put a tablespoon of oil in your mouth.

Move the oil through your mouth with chewing and pulling movements, but please do not gargle.

After five to ten minutes, spit the oil into a paper towel and dispose of it in the household trash. Please do not spit it out because it can clog the drain.

After oil pulling, rinse your mouth with water and brush your teeth as usual. Oil pulling does not replace brushing your teeth, it is just a valuable addition to your oral hygiene.

If you want to enhance the Ayurvedic effect, drink a large glass of lukewarm water afterwards.

The oil gets into all gaps, crevices and interstices in the mouth, even hard-to-reach areas such as gum pockets can be reached. Over time, the oil in the mouth discolors to a milky liquid - a sign that bacteria from the oral cavity have found their way into the oil.

Oil pulling: Which oils are suitable?

Use high-quality organic oils for effective oil pulling. The gentle processing of organic oil has the advantage that more essential fatty acids are contained. Sesame oil is often used because of its proven anti-plaque effect and unrefined coconut oil because of its high content of vitamin E, which has an antioxidant effect, protects against free radicals and reduces inflammation.

Ultimately, however, the respective properties of the oils play a subordinate role for now. The important thing is to find an oil that you can easily keep in your mouth for up to ten minutes. This can also be a simple sunflower oil.

If you are not comfortable with the taste of a conventional cooking oil, there are also special mouthwash oils available in drugstores or pharmacies, for example with mint, rosemary, lemon or orange flavor.