Oil pulling

Oil pulling is a hygiene practice that helps to keep the gums healthy.

It has been used since ancient times to clean the mouth and teeth.

The first step in my daily routine.

Why

I usually ask myself how do I feel when I wake up. At some point, I realized that I often didn't have a nice, clean feeling in my mouth in the morning. Even after brushing my teeth, I felt like I could do more.

Oil pulling is known for:

Reducing gum inflammation and gum disease

Sweeping away harmful bacteria in the mouth

Getting rid of bad breath.

My reasons for oil pulling:

Gives me a sense of freshness and purity in my mouth

Simple and easy-to-integrate process with a high impact on my well-being

Helps me to keep my gums and mouth healthy

How

I swish a tablespoon of organic linseed oil in my mouth for about 10 minutes, spit it out, and brush my teeth afterward. I pull the oil every morning, sometimes also in the evenings.

Which oil to use?

I've tried different oils—olive, coconut, etc.—they all work. I've had the best feeling with linseed oil (Allnatura own brand for those in Germany) and try to make sure it's mostly organic.

My experience

My parents are fans of alternative medicine, and I first heard about oil pulling from them when I was a kid. I started practicing oil pulling regularly years ago, and now I miss it if I can't do it for some reason.

When I wake up, I put the oil in my mouth and swish it while doing something else, like preparing breakfast. After about 10 minutes, I brush my teeth and scrape my tongue to finish my mouth-cleansing routine.

Sometimes I also pull oil in the evening, after a heavy meal or drinking alcohol. It gives me a pleasant feeling in my mouth during the night. If I don't do it, I usually feel thirsty at night and can't sleep well.

I even take some oil with me while traveling or buy it on location if I stay anywhere longer. For my last two-week vacation in France, I brought the whole oil bottle with me and used it all up. While traveling in Peru for three weeks, I bought a local oil, and it worked perfectly too.

Disclaimer: This information is based on personal experience and should not be taken as medical advice. If you have concerns, consult with a healthcare professional.