I have been doing this for decades. It has made a huge difference in my oral health and beyond. Welcome to Mike Murray as he has just discovered this tremendous therapy!! Here's Mike!!
Recently, I added a new health practice to my daily routine that I am SUPER excited about. It is oil pulling - an age-old, revered practice in Ayurvedic medicine to promote oral and systemic health that is gaining both popularity and scientific validation. #1. What is oil pulling? Oil pulling involves taking approximately one tablespoon of coconut oil or other edible oil and holding it in your mouth and swishing it through your teeth between five and twenty minutes first thing in the morning before brushing the teeth. After the time it is held and swished around in the mouth, the oil is spit out and the teeth can be brushed. For best results, do it first thing in the morning and at night before going to bed. #2. Why is it called “oil pulling?” Because the oil is pulled and forced between all teeth in the swishing process, it pulls out unwanted plaque, bacteria, and cellular debris from the oral cavity to create a cleaner, healthier oral environment. And here is the thing, if we can improve oral health and the oral microbiome, it leads to improved overall health. #3. How does oil pulling improve overall health? The oral cavity is host to billions of microorganisms, and it is well-established that some of these microbes can contribute to the development or progression of systemic diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, autoimmune disorders, and many more. That is scientific FACT. Oil pulling may be a simple and effective practice to promote optimal oral and general health. #4. Why is coconut oil the best oil to use? Any edible oil can be used, but for many reasons coconut oil may offer the greatest benefit. Coconut oil has demonstrated significant antimicrobial effects that destroy a wide variety of disease-causing organisms. Bacteria inactivated by coconut oil include the bacteria linked to both cavities and gum inflammation. And coconut oil also helps fight the overgrowth of the yeast Candida albicans. In one study, researchers found that all Candida species were 100% susceptible to coconut oil. #5. Is there scientific validation of oil pulling with coconut oil? Yes, several studies have shown oil pulling with coconut oil in human clinical trials produces changes comparable to chlorhexidine, a popular prescription antimicrobial mouthwash. Results showed an ability to reduce bacterial counts of organisms linked to cavities and gingivitis. One study concluded “Oil pulling has been proven to be an effective method in reducing plaque formation and plaque induced gingivitis.” #6. What are the main advantages of using coconut oil pulling over chlorhexidine? Coconut oil pulling is safe and without side effects. Chlorhexidine is problematic because side effects are common and include tooth staining, mouth dryness or irritation, an unusual or unpleasant taste in the mouth, and allergic reactions. #7. What should you expect? Most people feel the difference in how smooth and clean their teeth feel the first time they perform oil pulling with coconut oil. Others may need more time. But even if you don’t see immediate results, it’s important to continue the practice. It pays off. Lastly, let me throw an interesting wrinkle in the Alzheimer’s disease discussion to highlight the importance of oral hygiene. One of the most interesting and a real plausible theory on a key underlying cause of AD is the link between AD and gum disease. It looks like beta-amyloid that builds up in the brain in AD seems to function as a sticky defense mechanism against bacterial infection in the brain. Researchers have found that 96% of patients with AD have in the key area of the brain the presence of enzymes known as gingipains from the main bacteria involved in gum disease, Porphyromonas gingivalis. When dental plaque builds under the edge of your gums, it can form inflamed pockets in which P. gingivalis can thrive and release toxins and gingipains that can damage the lining of your gums and make it possible for P. gingivalis and other oral bacteria to enter the bloodstream and then the brain. Animal studies have shown conclusively that P. gingivalis gum disease leads to amyloid production, tangles of tau protein and neural damage in the regions and nerves normally affected by AD. That is fairly conclusive evidence and there is growing human data that concurs. Here is the bottom line from all the research. Oral hygiene is an important strategy to help prevent the development of Alzheimer’s. And I think coconut oil pulling should be a part of that strategy. Please consider making it a habit. Be well, Dr Michael Murray
P.S. if you are interested in another simple, natural way to improve your health, check out my article on “Dry Brushing” at iHerb.com.
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