Learn how to oil pull: an Ayurvedic dental technique that is beneficial for candida, oral and overall health. In this post I share my daily morning oil pulling routine.

Oil pulling may seem like a trendy thing, but it’s actually been around for over 3000 years! It originated in India as a healing practice according to ancient Ayurvedic texts. Studies have shown that oil pulling is beneficial for your health in several different ways. It helps decrease harmful bacteria in the mouth, reduces plaque and gingivitis, whitens teeth and prevents bad breath to name a few.

Oil Pulling for Candida

If you’re dealing with a candida overgrowth, the practice of oil pulling (when done while following a candida diet and taking the right supplements) can help speed up the process of your healing. Oil pulling helps with candida in a couple different ways. If you suffer from oral thrush you’ve probably noticed a thick white coating on your tongue. That’s a yeast build up and oil pulling will help with this. In addition, oil pulling will help you get rid of the toxins in your mouth that result from candida “die-off.”

How to Oil Pull

First thing in the morning you place 1 – 2 teaspoons of oil in your mouth and swish it around for about 20 minutes.  This is done before drinking any water or brushing your teeth. The concept is that it collects and draws out all the toxins that have built up in your mouth throughout the night. When done with regularity, over time it’s thought to help improve your oral health and more.

I prefer coconut oil for oil pulling

I prefer using coconut oil for oil pulling, but other oils will work too. For me, coconut oil has the best flavor, but olive, avocado or sesame oil work well too. Keep in mind that coconut oil solidifies at about 70 – 75 degrees F. But this doesn’t mean you can’t use it. When my coconut oil is in solid form, which it usually is, I simply put a spoonful in my mouth and the temperature of my mouth gets it back to a liquid state.

How to Oil Pull: My Oil Pulling Routine

Just in case the thought of oil pulling feeling daunting to you, let me break down my routine with it. First thing in the morning I put a small spoonful of coconut oil in my mouth and gently swish it around in and out of my teeth. Coconut solidifies at 75 degrees so it might take a second or two in my mouth to return to a liquid state. While oil pulling I am up and moving around, taking my dog out and feeding him, making my green juice, checking emails, etc.

After about 20 minutes I spit the oil into a jar (continuously spitting oil down your drain will clog your pipes over time). I then gargle briefly with salt water and finally brush my teeth with toothpaste like normal.

Oil Pulling Pointers

• Oil pulling should NOT replace brushing or flossing. Rather, it can be added to your daily dental care practice.
• Start small.  If 20 minutes seems too difficult or daunting at first, start with just five minutes and work your way up.  Same goes with frequency.  If doing this everyday seems to overwhelming, start with just 1 or 2 times per week.
• I recommend Coconut oil for oil pulling and it is also recommended by medical experts due to having lauric acid, known for anti-microbial benefits.
• Don’t swallow, or spit the oil down a sink. Discard used oil into an empty jar.

Final Notes on Oil Pulling 

I prefer to do this every morning as it gets me in a routine, but four or five times per week might be a more realistic goal at first. Do what suits you. You don’t have to work hard at it, just gently swish and suck the oil through the teeth and around your mouth.

Happy oil pulling! 🙂

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