A couple of years ago, I started noticing that I was waking up every morning with pain and stiffness in my jaw.
At first, I didn’t think much of it, though I now know that jaw pain can signify a lot and the symptom should never be ignored. At the time, however, I just thought it would go away on its own.
Eventually, I realized I was grinding my teeth in my sleep, leading to pain, muscle fatigue, and even occasional episodes of lockjaw. It became a serious lifestyle issue for me.
I tried all the traditional remedies, but nothing worked for me. Eventually, a friend suggested that I try oil pulling as a holistic alternative.
I had never heard of the process before, so I took to Google and learned that oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic practice that involves swishing oil — often cold-pressed coconut oil — around the mouth for extended periods of time.
While it should never be seen as a replacement for brushing and flossing twice daily, I did find that adding oil pulling to my dental routine helped my jaw pain considerably, when nothing else did.
Best of all, the process is very simple and easy to add to your routine! Check out the instructions below to learn how to start oil pulling, as well as a few of the benefits of the practice!
[Photo Credit: Flickr]
How To Oil Pull Step #1: Buy
First, head to your local grocery store or go online to pick up some coconut oil.
If you prefer, you can also use other vegetable oils — like almond, sesame, or even olive oil.
It’s best to use a product that is cold-pressed and organic.
Step #2: Measure
Once you have your oil, spoon one to two teaspoons into your mouth. Coconut oil is solid at room temperature, but will melt in your mouth.
Try not to swallow! Coconut oil is edible, but might make you queasy if you swallow a whole mouthful.
Step #3: Swish
Swish the oil through your mouth, “pulling” it through your teeth to cleanse those areas. You may also gargle the oil if desired.
Continue for 20 minutes. If you find your muscles get too tired, start with five minutes of oil pulling, then work your way up to the full 20 minutes.
Step #4: Spit
Once the time is up, spit the oil out into a trash can.
Make sure not to spit into the sink, because, like lard and other fats, coconut oil can build up in your pipes and create a blockage.
Step #5: Repeat
Repeat this process every morning and evening.
After about two weeks, you should begin to notice changes to your dental health, as well as your health in general.
Oil pulling is reported to have many positive side effects, including…
Benefits Of Oil Pulling Benefit #1: Whiter Teeth
Lots of people report that oil pulling helps remove staining on teeth from coffee and red wine, without relying on the man-made chemicals in most whitening solutions.
Benefit #2: Better Breath
Not only does the pulling process help rinse hard-to-reach corners of the mouth and back of the throat, the antibacterial properties of the oil seem to help attack the root cause of bad breath.
Benefit #3: Clearer Skin
Coconut oil is an excellent moisturizer that can work wonders when applied topically to the skin.
It makes sense that the cleansing process of oil pulling may help to hydrate from within and help tackle the internal bacteria that can lead to breakouts.
Benefit #4: Less Jaw Pain
It’s not clear why oil pulling seems to help people suffering from jaw pain and TMJ, but it may be that the gargling motions help loosen and release the sore muscles.
Benefit #5: Fewer Headaches
Most headaches are caused by either blocked sinuses or the tension of clenching your jaw.
The motions of oil pulling may help loosen tight jaw muscles. In theory, the movement and the antibacterial properties may help flush out the sinuses, relieving pressure.
Benefit #6: Improved Sleep
One of the leading causes of sleep disruption is insomnia linked to jaw-clenching or grinding of teeth.
Addressing those problems head-on might ultimately have the added benefits of helping you to sleep more soundly.
Do you have any experience with oil pulling and its benefits? Let us know below!
And be sure to SHARE this holistic health strategy with friends and family!
