On the occasion of the release of its oil mouthwash, also known as "Gandusha" in Sanskrit, Holidermie wants to introduce us to an ancient practice from Ayurveda.
This practice is called "oil pulling," which could easily be translated as "removing with oil." This natural and detoxifying ritual involves performing a mouthwash, not with a conventional formula, but with vegetable oil. The purpose? To maintain a healthy mouth by eliminating bacteria and residues that the toothbrush cannot always reach. This method also provides excellent results in maintaining whiter teeth, strong gums, and overall, cleansing the entire body.
Which oils are used for practicing the oil pulling method?
The most favored oils for mouthwash are coconut and sesame oils. They are frequently used for this type of care because they have particularly interesting properties for oral hygiene. Coconut oil is rich in lauric acid, known for trapping bacteria that cause dental discomfort. Sesame oil, on the other hand, has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. In the Holidermie mouthwash, you will also find organic peppermint essential oil, which offers calming and soothing effects, and organic lemon essential oil with antiseptic and antibacterial properties.
Why do we prefer oil mouthwashes over conventional formulas?
Simply because, to this day, many chemical ingredients used in conventional mouthwashes are criticized. The main target is chlorhexidine, which helps kill "bad bacteria" but ends up eliminating the good ones as well, leading to an imbalance in the oral microbiome and acidification of saliva, which can result in tooth demineralization. Another harmful effect is that chlorhexidine can increase blood pressure in people prone to hypertension. In such cases, an oil mouthwash seems to be the ideal choice for maintaining optimal oral hygiene.
How to use oil mouthwash and how often?
It's important to know that tooth brushing only reaches 60% of the tooth surface and only 10% of the entire oral cavity. Practicing oil mouthwash daily is, therefore, essential to remove bad bacteria and residues from the most difficult-to-reach areas with a toothbrush. Every morning on an empty stomach, circulate the equivalent of one tablespoon of oil mouthwash in your mouth for 10 minutes. Once you're done, spit the liquid into the sink and rinse your mouth with clear water before enjoying the feeling of freshness that this ritual provides.
Why is oil mouthwash attributed with detoxifying properties?
The mouth contains "waste" from substances that are incompletely digested and not assimilated by the body. In Sanskrit, they are called "ama," which means "weaken" or "harm." These residues accumulate overnight and must be eliminated to prevent polluting the rest of the body. This is precisely what the "oil pulling" method accomplishes perfectly. Hence, it is attributed with detoxifying benefits.
Can you swallow the oil mouthwash?
Even though it doesn't contain any chemicals or harmful ingredients like chlorhexidine, it is not advised to swallow the oil mouthwash.
Why not?
Simply because swallowing the mixture would mean ingesting billions of bacteria that one might not necessarily want in the body. It would be a shame, given all the detoxifying properties of this ritual.
Bad breath: How can oil mouthwash help?
As mentioned earlier, the teeth harbor billions of bacteria every day. These little inhabitants, along with food residues that have settled in hard-to-reach areas for the toothbrush, can ferment and create odors. This is how bad breath appears. Fortunately, the "oil pulling" method allows, by keeping the "Gandusha" in the mouth for more than 10 minutes, to remove bad bacteria without harming the good ones. The residues are also trapped in the oil and eliminated during rinsing. Once the teeth are clean, the oil mouthwash leaves a very fine lipid particle to effectively protect them from tartar.
