Oral hygiene is imperative to good health, oral health impacts the whole body because left over food can cause an over growth of bacteria and fungi which can irritate and lead to gum disease. Once there is a high amount of bacteria in the mouth, this bad bugs have direct access to your blood stream which can increase the risk of an array of problems like stroke, heart disease, fatal coronary heart disease, diabetes and arthritis.
A great way to reduce the risks and greatly improve your oral health is through an traditional Ayurvedic technique from India called oil pulling. This method uses a oil such as sesame or coconut which is swished in the mouth for 10-20 minutes and it cleanses and detoxifies the mouth by pull out bad bacteria, viruses and fungi.
Other benefits of oil pulling:
-Better breath
-Whiter teeth
-Reduced plaque
How to oil pull:
Sesame oil is traditionally used for oil pulling but I, personally prefer coconut oil since it's better tasting and has the added benefit of being antibacterial and anti-fungal. Oil pulling can be done anytime during the day but again, it is traditionally done in the morning on an empty stomach.
1. Take a tablespoon of coconut oil into a ceramic cup and then place it in warm/hot water to get the coconut to liquify.
2. If you want to really boost the antibacterial properties, add 3-4 drops of oregano oil but it's optional.
3. Swish the oil around your mouth using all your facial muscles (added benefit: acts like a natural face life by keeping your face toned).
4. The ultimate goal is to swish for 20 minutes but in the beginning you make want to just start with 5 minutes and work your way up. I swish while body brushing and showering to multi-task in the morning.
5. The oil will start to get thinner when it mixes with your saliva and the volume will increase, this is normal and a sign it's working.
6. Be careful not to swallow since it will be full of toxins.
7. Spit out, rinse thoroughly with warm water, use a tongue scraper (another Ayurvedic method), brush teeth and designate a toothbrush for the sole purpose to use after oil pulling.
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