### What is Oil Pulling? Oil pulling is an ancient oral health technique that has recently gained popularity. It involves swishing about 1 tablespoon of oil, usually coconut, sesame, or sunflower oil, in your mouth for around 20 minutes before spitting it out. This practice is rooted in Ayurvedic medicine, a traditional Indian system that dates back 3,000 years. ### How Does It Work? The idea behind oil pulling is that most microorganisms in the mouth are single-celled and covered with a lipid (fatty) membrane. When these cells come into contact with oil, they naturally adhere to it. This helps remove bacteria, reduce plaque, and combat bad breath. ### Benefits of Coconut Oil While sesame and sunflower oils are effective, coconut oil has an added advantage due to its lauric acid content, which has strong anti-microbial properties. Studies have shown that coconut oil can help prevent tooth decay. ### How to Start If you're new to oil pulling, start with just 5 minutes a day. Although 20 minutes is ideal for maximum bacteria removal, even 5 or 10 minutes can offer benefits. If your jaw starts to ache, slow down and use gentle swishing motions. ### Important Tips - **Don't Swallow:** If you find it hard not to swallow, you might be using too much oil. Spit it out and try again with a smaller amount. - **Dispose Properly:** Don't spit the oil down the sink, as it can clog your pipes. Use a trash can instead. - **Supplement, Don't Replace:** Oil pulling should not replace regular brushing, flossing, or dental visits. It's a supplementary therapy, not a cure for tooth decay. ### Additional Tips For irritated or inflamed gums, you can rub a little vitamin E oil directly on the surface. It's rich in antioxidants, easily absorbed, and helps regenerate healthy gum tissue.