| Oil Pulling? |
Due to Facebook and other social websites, fads can spread like wildfire. I've been getting a lot of questions recently regarding "oil pulling" and I wanted to set the record straight because I am finding there is a lot of harmful information out there and I don't want you or anyone you know to fall victim to this misinformation.
Oil Pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic tradition in India and is implemented to prevent and cure systemic diseases. Now, there has not been a scientific study done to support or refute this, but knowing what these oils do I can see where oil pulling can be beneficial.
First, I want to make super clear, it is important that you continue to brush and floss your teeth as you normally would. I have read that some people have stopped brushing completely and are just swishing with oil. This is counterproductive. The oil cannot breakup biofilm that forms to your teeth that food and bacteria stick to. Biofilm MUST be mechanically removed (i.e.: scrubbed, brushed, scraped, etc). Ok, moving on.
Sesame oil is the traditional oil used in oil pulling. But, due to taste, many people today are swishing with coconut oil. Oil pulling works by extracting toxins from the body and blood. Oils are lipophilic (loving other oils/fats) and most toxins are stored and transported in the body by fats and oils, so as the oil is being swished around in the mouth, it is pulling these toxins out of the tissues by binding with the fats the toxins are bound to. Both sesame and coconut oil are antioxidant and therefore bind to free radicals as well and thus having anti-cancer and anti-aging effects.
I would recommend sesame oil over coconut oil for oil pulling because it is rich in vitamins and minerals and coconut oil is not. It is also important to use only raw organic oils because it insures the oil source was free of pesticides and not exposed to high heats for extraction.
Oil pulling is done in the AM before brushing. Place one tablespoon of oil in your mouth and swish for 15-20 minutes then spit in a garbage can. Afterwards floss and brush your teeth as normal. Hope this helps you all and, as always, if you have any questions please feel free to contact me or ask me the next time we see each other.
- Jocelyn RDH
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| Choose a Healthy Diet to Decrease Dental Decay
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The old saying, "you are what you eat," is true when it comes to your dental health. The more sugar you consume the more acid production in your mouth which increases your chance of decay. Some foods are deceptively loaded with sugar, so be sure to check the labels. In order to get your diet under control, choose foods that are whole, unprocessed and more alkaline. When you choose healthy fruits and vegetables in place of processed foods, your body will crave sugary foods less often, leaving your dental health in better shape in the long run.
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| Dealing with Sensitive Teeth |
When consuming hot or cold food and drink, or brushing your teeth causes discomfort, you might be suffering from sensitive teeth. Sometimes sensitive teeth are caused by dental concerns, including cavities, cracked teeth or exposed roots. We can help to determine the underlying cause of your discomfort and the appropriate treatment needed. If your sensitivity isn't caused by a serious issue, we can help you to determine the proper steps to take to alleviate your pain. Tools we can use to help with your sensitivity include desensitizing toothpaste, fluoride treatments, or placing a bonded material to cover the exposed roots. If you have sensitive teeth, there's a good chance you won't have to just "live with it." Give us a call!
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