Oil pulling or oil swishing, in alternative medicine is a procedure that involves swishing oil in the mouth for oral and systemic health benefits. It is mentioned in the Ayurvedic text, Charaka Samhita, where it is called Kavala Gandoosha/Kavala Graha.
For oil pulling therapy, a tablespoon (or teaspoon for children between 5-15 years of age) of any edible oil is given in the mouth and is sipped, sucked, and pulled between the teeth for 10 to 15 minutes. The viscous oil turns thin and milky white. The oil should not be swallowed as it contains bacteria and toxins. Oil pulling therapy should be followed by brushing the teeth and is preferably done on an empty stomach in the morning.
The claims of the health benefits of oil pulling, ranging from headache and migraine to diabetes and asthma, are anecdotal until Asokan S and colleagues conducted a randomized, controlled, triple-blind study 20 age-matched adolescent boys with plaque-induced gingivitis1. The results of this study published in the Indian Journal of Dental Research confirmed the positive effects of oil pulling plaque-induced gingivitis.
Gingivitis is due to the long-term effects of plaque deposits. Plaque is a sticky material made of bacteria, mucus, and food debris that develops on the exposed parts of the teeth. It is a major cause of tooth decay. If you do not remove plaque, it turns into a hard deposit called tartar that becomes trapped at the base of the tooth. Plaque and tartar irritate and inflame the gums. Bacteria and the toxins they produce cause the gums to become infected, swollen, and tender.
Bacteria get into the bloodstream hundreds of times a year, not only from tooth brushing, but also from other routine daily activities like chewing food. But ulcerated gingival (gum) tissue surrounding the teeth provide an entry to the bloodstream for up to 700 different types of bacteria found in our mouths.
When bacteria get into the bloodstream they encounter tiny fragments called platelets that clot blood when you get a cut. By sticking to the platelets bacteria cause them to clot inside the blood vessel, partially blocking it. This prevents the blood flow back to the heart and we run the risk of suffering a heart attack2.
Scientists have known for some time that a protein associated with inflammation (called CRP) is elevated in people who are at risk for heart disease. But where's the inflammation coming from? A new research study by Italian and U.K. scientists shows that infected gums may be one place3. It doesn't matter how fit, slim or healthy you are, you're adding to your chances of getting heart disease by having bad teeth.
See your dentist today, Floss regularly, increase your intake of vege and fruits, and start pulling today.
1. Asokan S, Emmadi P, Chamundeswari R. Effect of oil pulling on plaque induced gingivitis: A randomized, controlled, triple-blind study. Indian J Dent Res 2009;20:47-51
2. Adapted from materials provided by Society for General Microbiology11 September 2008
3. Piconi et al. Treatment of periodontal disease results in improvements in endothelial dysfunction and reduction of the carotid intima-media thickness. The FASEB Journal, 2009 23: 1196-1204
4. http://mylifepositive.com/
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