"What on Earth am I doing?" I wondered to myself as I emptied a spoonful of congealed coconut oil into my mouth.
When I decided I needed to improve my mouth and smile, I envisaged a trip to the dental hygienist, not diving into my kitchen cupboard. That was before I discovered oil pulling, however. A technique derived from Indian ayurvedic medicine, oil pulling can act as a way of reducing plaque, brightening the teeth and reducing mouth ulcers. It has even been claimed by some to reduce oral diseases and help the body detoxify - the word "pulling" refers to toxins being pulled out by the oil. And while it made me feel like a deep fat fryer, for the problems I wanted to deal with, it worked surprisingly well.
The technique looks at the body in a rather different way from western medicine. Ayurvedic medicine is based on the concept of balance between three doshas, or humours, which oil pulling is said to help rebalance. As Jomol Mariam Thomas, a specialist at Dubai's Dr Shyam's Ayurveda Centre, puts it: "An imbalance of doshas can cause problems and we use specific oils depending on exactly where the imbalance lies. With the practice of oil pulling, these doshas can be drawn out - in my own practice, I have seen cases of gum disease greatly improved, and also people able to control foul-breath problems, in particular, when they are connected to gingivitis."
Admittedly, the sort of oil pulling Thomas offers, based on detailed diagnosis and the use of oils blended for particular conditions, is more sophisticated than basic home swilling. I still found practising the technique at home remarkably effective. And I certainly needed to do something about my mouth. While I haven't smoked for 10 years, I live on strong coffee and this shows in my less-than-pearly whites. As a light sleeper who frequently lets myself get run-down from too much work and exercise, I also sometimes get mouth ulcers, even though I brush and floss twice a day.
An ayurvedic take on how the body works might not square with everyone, but there is actually some sound basis for the benefits of oil pulling. A study published in the Indian Journal of Dental Research showed that oil pulling does indeed reduce gingivitis and microbial activity in the mouth, the oil reacting with saliva to create a form of soap that cleans the mouth thoroughly. The actual process is pretty straightforward - you swill the oil around your mouth just like a mouthwash, only without the gargling.
The London-based ayurveda practitioner Nilesh Wakde explains further: "It's typical to practise oil pulling first thing in the morning, but there's no particular obligation to. If you do a really good, firm swish with sesame oil, then five minutes oil pulling is fine. If when you spit the oil out, it has gone white and milky, then the process has been successful. If it is still largely clear, you haven't been moving the oil long or hard enough and should repeat the process."
Crucially, for a sceptical person like me, oil pulling feels rather nice. Certainly, the sensation of taking a spoonful of solid, buttery coconut oil is rather odd, but it melts in the mouth within seconds and quickly starts feeling pleasant. The liquid is warm, viscous and mildly flavoured without being sweet or cloying, and once I spat the oil out, my mouth felt wonderfully soft, silky and clean.
But does it work?
For me, yes. After a month of oil pulling, my once yellowish teeth are now closer to a beige-tinted ivory colour - not perfect, but a huge improvement. If this trajectory continues, my teeth should have the appropriate, just off-white tint by the end of the year. More important to me, however, is the genuine improvement I am noticing in the way my mouth feels and in my general health. After some long days and short sleeps earlier this month, I noticed my mouth getting slightly raw, as if the ulcers were coming, but I found that a good oil pulling session would get rid of this sensation quite quickly.
The symptoms have not returned and I feel pretty good. Could it be that this boost could really be a psychological one gained from taking more control over my health? It's possible - but the effects for me have been so positive I'd still recommend giving it a go.
artslife@thenational.ae
? how to oil pull
First, choose an organic oil: sesame, coconut or sunflower all work. Empty a spoonful into your mouth and swill vigorously, running the oil through your teeth, over your tongue and around your gums without taking it into your throat. Swill for anywhere between five to 20 minutes. Then spit, rinse and brush your teeth as normal. Repeat the process for seven to 14 days. Oil pulling can also work as a daily alternative to rinsing with the standard shop-bought mouthwashes.
Try oil pulling for a healthy mouth
Oil pulling - the practice of rinsing out your mouth with coconut oil - helps reduce plaque and mouth ulcers, and brightens your teeth. Think of it as a substitute for mouthwash, with drastically better results.
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