What are the Health Benefits of Oil Pulling

Oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic ritual that dates back to over 3,000 years ago. Also known as “kavala” or “gundusha,” oil pulling involves swirling a spoonful of oil in the mouth for 20 minutes, first thing in the morning. According to practitioners, swirling the oil in the mouth helps draw toxins away from the body and improve health. Because oil pulling is done primarily to improve dental health, Ayurvedic experts say that this technique helps fight tooth decay and prevent bad breath. But beyond dental health, what are the health benefits of oil pulling? Let’s find out:

Eliminate Oil-Soluble Toxins

According to practitioners, oil pulling eliminates oil soluble toxins in the mouth. These impurities and pathogens cause a variety of health problems, including liver disease and gum disease. Using raw oil, the impurities and bacteria are drawn away from the body and mixed harmlessly into the swished oil.

Reduces Bad Breath

Halitosis is a condition that causes bad breath. Usually, chemicals, gasses, and bacteria byproduct in the mouth and stomach cause bad odors to emanate from the mouth. Oil pulling helps eliminate bad breath by getting rid of all the bacteria that cause it. One study confirmed the powerful effects of oil pulling by tracking a group of teens that went through oil pulling therapy. According to findings, there was a significant reduction of bad breath among participants who were undergoing oil pulling therapy. The researchers noted that oil pulling could be just as effective as store-bought mouthwash!

Protects from Mouth and Gum Disease

Some of the most common signs of gum disease are gingivitis, bleeding gums, foul breath, and plaque buildup. Gingivitis weakens the immune system by triggering inflammation of the gums. This paves the way for other health problems to develop. Oil pulling keeps the mouth and gums healthy by eliminating bacteria that cause inflammation of the gums. The practice dissolves all the plaques that accumulate on the teeth, reducing the risk of bacterial infection that leads to gum disease.

Treat Temporomandibular Joint Disorder or TMJ

The temporomandibular joint is a hinge that connects the temporal bones of the skull to the jaw. This joint is located in front of each ear. When this joint becomes inflamed, a patient cannot open or close his jaw properly, making talking, eating, or even yawning excruciatingly difficult. This condition is called temporomandibular joint or TMJ. Unfortunately, scientists cannot pin down the real cause of this condition.

However, regular oil pulling may reduce the risk of developing TMJ. Swirling the oil in the mouth stimulates the muscles in the jaw area, reducing soreness of the jaw. Regular oil pulling reduces the risk of TMJ by developing stronger jaw muscles.

Alleviates Headaches and Migraines

The bacterial buildup in the body does more than just cause sickness. It can also lead to recurring migraine headaches! In addition, developing TMJ can also increase the likelihood of suffering yet another migraine attack. Oil pulling helps reduce a migraine by eliminating toxins and pathogens in the body. It also stimulates the jaw muscles, relaxing and dilating the blood vessels to reduce headaches.