Oil pulling is the ancient Ayurvedic practice of swishing oil in the mouth, pushing and pulling it back and forth between the teeth, for 10 to 20 minutes each day. This practice has been around for thousands of years and is mentioned in Indian Ayurvedic texts from as far back as 800 B.C. Faithful practitioners, both ancient and modern, claim the health benefits of oil pulling are extensive and include, in addition to greater dental health, curing high blood pressure, diabetes, and asthma. Is there any truth to these claims and is oil pulling something you should try, or should you just stick to your dentist in Fairbanks? Benefits Scientific studies on oil pulling are minimal, but there is evidence to suggest that oil pulling can reduce the levels of certain bacteria in the mouth. The friction of the swishing creates an effect similar to soap, catching oral bacteria in the oil and then removing it from your mouth when you spit the oil out. People who oil pull their teeth on a regular basis consistently report that their mouths feel extremely clean all day after pulling, cleaner even than with just normal brushing. A cleaner mouth is a gateway to better health overall, so, in that limited respect, oil pulling can produce some positive results. Drawbacks However, oil pulling has very real limits that should not be discounted. Oil pulling only penetrates the very surface of the gums, so it cannot help with serious gum infections that live deep within the gums. Oil pulling also will not "cure" cavities or other forms of tooth decay. Oil pulling does not offer any unique health benefits; there are many other, proven methods for achieving a clean, healthy mouth that will give you the same results. A healthy mouth makes for a healthier you, regardless of the method you choose to achieve it. If you like oil pulling, by all means keep pulling, but only as a substitute for commercial mouthwashes. Oil pulling, in combination with twice daily brushing and flossing and regular checkups with your dentist in Fairbanks, will help you keep your mouth clean and healthy.
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