Whiten Teeth and Freshen Breath for Next to Nothing
But what if there's a way to have white teeth and fresh breath for a fraction of the cost? It is possible and here's how.
Introducing Oil Pulling
Oil pulling sounds odd the first time you hear about it (to say the least), but it's been used in India for centuries as a form of oral care and detoxification. What is it exactly? Not really what it seems - you actually swish oil around in your mouth for up to 20 minutes, allowing it time to pull out the bad bacteria, before you spit.
The action of oil pulling appears to work by drawing or pulling out bacterial endotoxins that emanate from the oral cavity. Positive results with this practice seem to correlate with mounting research on the influence of poor oral health in systemic disease. Oil pulling has been reported to treat or cure approximately 30 systemic diseases, such as headache, diabetes, and asthma. [1]
The amount used is roughly one tablespoon for adults and a teaspoon for young children 5 years of age and above, and should be taken on an empty stomach. After swishing the oil back and forth between the teeth for up to 20 minutes (many people do 10 to 15), it should turn a thin, milky white. Be careful not to swallow the oil, as it contains bacteria and their waste products. [2]
The best oils to use are unrefined sesame, sunflower, or coconut oil, though it's worth noting that coconut oil appears to have the most pronounced effect on teeth whitening, while the others are good for general oral health. Higher quality oils produce the best results, therefore avoid refined oils if possible. [3]
Noticeably whiter teeth have been reported within days to weeks by users of coconut oil, making it a much safer alternative to harsh bleaching kits which contain excessive amounts of hydrogen peroxide and can be hard on tooth enamel.
Fresh Breath Without Mouthwash
Oil pulling helps to freshen breath by removing anaerobic bacteria that coat the tongue. These bacteria produce a "rotten egg" like smell, which is derived from volatile sulfur compounds such as hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, Allyl methyl sulfide, and dimethyl sulfide.
Many people think "Even if it's possible to have fresh breath with oil pulling, why swish oil for 15 minutes when I can just use mouthwashes or antiseptics?"
True, but one of the most effective ingredients found in mouthwashes or antiseptics is called chlorhexidine, which is an anti-plaque and anti-gingivitis agent. [4], [5], [6]
Unfortunately, chlorhexidine also prevents the bacterial conversion of nitrate to nitric oxide in the mouth, which affects the entire body. This is not good because certain bacteria in your oral cavity are necessary to help reduce blood pressure and allow for normal erections. Nitric oxide also promotes healthy blood flow by relaxing blood vessels.
A recent study in India evaluated the effects of oil pulling compared to chlorhexidine and the authors found that oil pulling was just as effective as chlorhexidine against bad breath and the type of bacteria associated with halitosis. [7]
More Help for Bad Breath
While most bacteria that cause odor are found in the oral cavity, what you eat can have an influence on your breath as well. In particular, consider adding fermented foods such as yogurt (preferably Greek) or kefir to your diet.
Probiotic-rich products contain active bacteria that help reduce levels of hydrogen sulfide (CH3SCH3), one of the major causes of bad breath. Research has shown that eating yogurt reduces levels of hydrogen sulfide in 80% of volunteers.
It should be mentioned that hydrogen sulfide is also linked to metabolic conditions, such as insulin resistance, diabetes, gastrointestinal diseases, high blood pressure, male pattern baldness, and metabolic syndrome.
See our article on the Top Ten Probiotic Foods for more ideas.
References
[1]. http://www.oilpulling.com
[2]. Oral Microbiol Immunol 1989;4:169-72.
[3]. Asokan S. Oil pulling therapy. Indian J Dent Res 2008;19:169
[4]. Periodontol 2000 1997:15:52-4.
[5]. J Periodontol 1996;67:1143
[6]. Periodontol 2000 1997;15:55-62.
[7]. J Indian Soc Pedod Prev Dent 2011 Oct 27;29:90-4
The information presented is not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure disease. Please speak with your doctor before starting any diet, exercise, or supplement program.
Comments (2)
Would this help with tooth enamel restoration?
goten574 - In all likelihood, yes. The reason is that
it will reduce some factors that contribute to demineralization
while increasing mineralization.
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