How Oil Pulling Is Beneficial for Body Detox

Have you ever wondered how clean your mouth really is, even after brushing your teeth?

Think about it. We eat, drink, talk, and go about our day, and throughout all of this, bacteria are constantly building up in our mouths. Some of these bacteria are perfectly normal, while others are responsible for things like bad breath, plaque buildup, and gum problems.

This is where oil pulling comes in.

Oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic practice that has been used for centuries as a natural way to cleanse the mouth. And while it might sound like another wellness trend, it’s actually one of the simplest rituals you can add to your daily routine.

At Ria Naturals, we’ve taken this traditional practice and made it a little easier with our Oil Pulling Oral Rinse, made with coconut oil, sesame oil, and carefully selected essential oils.

But what exactly happens when you oil pull, and why are so many people adding it to their oral care routines? Let’s get into it.

What Is Oil Pulling?

Oil pulling is exactly what it sounds like. You take a small amount of oil, swish it around your mouth for several minutes, and then spit it out. That’s it.

The practice comes from Ayurveda, a traditional Indian system of wellness. Sesame oil was commonly used, although coconut oil has become just as popular today.

The idea is to give your mouth a thorough cleanse by swishing oil around your teeth, gums, and tongue. As you swish, the oil mixes with saliva and moves through the places where food and buildup collect. When you spit it out, all of that goes with it.

It’s a simple practice, but one that can make a lovely addition to your morning routine.

How Does Oil Pulling Help With Body Detox?

When people hear the word detox, they often think of juices, herbal teas, or restrictive diets. Oil pulling takes a different approach.

In Ayurveda, the mouth has long been considered an important part of overall wellness, and oil pulling was traditionally practised as a cleansing ritual.

Your mouth is home to millions of bacteria. Some are beneficial, but others contribute to bad breath and plaque. Oil pulling gives your mouth an extra cleansing step, moving oil around the areas where buildup collects.

So, does that mean oil pulling detoxifies your entire body?

Not quite. Although it’s traditionally associated with detoxification, there isn’t strong scientific evidence that oil pulling removes toxins from the body beyond the mouth.

What we do know is that keeping your mouth clean is an important part of looking after your overall health. And that’s a good enough reason to give your oral care routine a little extra attention.

5 Reasons to Add Oil Pulling to Your Routine

1. Fresher-Feeling Breath

Let’s start with one of the biggest reasons people try oil pulling: fresh breath.

We’ve all experienced bad breath at some point, whether it’s first thing in the morning or halfway through a busy day. It often starts with buildup hiding on your tongue, between your teeth, and around your gums.

A morning swish leaves your whole mouth feeling cleaner and your breath fresher. Our Ria Naturals Oil Pulling Oral Rinse also contains aromatic essential oils that make the experience especially refreshing.

And the best part? You can make it part of your morning routine before heading out for the day.

2. A Gentle Extra Step for Your Gums

Your gums deserve just as much attention as your teeth. When plaque builds up along the gumline, it can cause irritation, swelling, and bleeding.

Our rinse is alcohol-free and fluoride-free, so there’s no drying or stinging, just oil moving gently around your teeth and gums.

Of course, oil pulling isn’t a replacement for brushing, flossing, or seeing your dentist. Think of it as an extra step in taking care of your gums. If your gums bleed frequently, it’s important to have them checked by a dental professional.

3. An Extra Cleansing Step

Ever noticed that slightly fuzzy feeling on your teeth when you haven’t brushed for a while? That’s plaque beginning to build up.

Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on your teeth throughout the day. If it isn’t removed properly, it can contribute to cavities, bad breath, and gum problems.

Brushing and flossing are what remove plaque. Oil pulling, alongside them, gives your mouth an additional cleansing step, and it’s one of the reasons coconut oil and sesame oil have become such popular ingredients in natural oral care.

4. A Clean-Feeling Smile

Who doesn’t love a clean, fresh smile? Many people are drawn to oil pulling hoping for whiter-looking teeth.

It’s worth knowing, though, that research hasn’t established that oil pulling removes tooth stains or changes the natural shade of teeth.

That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the feeling of a beautifully clean smile. It simply means oil pulling shouldn’t be confused with a teeth-whitening treatment.

5. It Makes You More Intentional About Your Oral Health

Sometimes, the biggest change comes from simply being more consistent.

Most of us brush our teeth in a hurry, especially in the morning when there’s a million things to do. Oil pulling encourages you to spend a little more time caring for your mouth. You can do it while getting ready, taking a shower, or preparing for the day ahead.

And once it becomes a habit, it starts to feel like a natural part of your routine.

What Makes Ria Naturals Oil Pulling Oral Rinse Different?

You could oil pull with plain coconut oil or sesame oil, but we wanted to create something that feels a little more enjoyable to use every day. Our Ria Naturals Oil Pulling Oral Rinse combines coconut oil, sesame oil, and botanical essential oils in a ready-to-use blend. Each ingredient has been selected for its role in the formulation.

• Coconut oil. Rich in lauric acid, with a mild taste and smooth texture, which makes it a popular choice for oil pulling.
• Sesame oil. Used in traditional Ayurvedic oil pulling for centuries, and still one of the most recognised oils in this practice.
• Clove essential oil. Clove has a long history in traditional oral care, and brings a warm, spiced note.
• Tea tree essential oil. A fresh, herbal oil with a long history in natural care.
• Oregano essential oil. A bold, herbal oil that rounds out the blend.
• Vitamin E. Helps keep the oils fresh. There are no preservatives, no alcohol and no fluoride.

Two Refreshing Variants to Choose From

Because everyone has different preferences, our Oil Pulling Oral Rinse comes in two variants.

Cinnamon. Our warm, aromatic blend combines cinnamon with coconut oil, sesame oil, and our other carefully selected botanical ingredients. It’s a lovely choice if you enjoy warm, spiced flavours.

Mellow Mint. Prefer something minty? Our Mellow Mint variant replaces the cinnamon with spearmint and peppermint essential oils. These give the rinse a cool, refreshing mint flavour, making it a great choice for anyone who enjoys that fresh-mouth feeling.

Both variants are designed to make oil pulling an enjoyable part of your daily oral care routine.

How to Oil Pull With Ria Naturals Oil Pulling Oral Rinse

Never tried oil pulling before? Don’t worry, it’s really simple. Here’s how to do it (and for more detail, see our step-by-step oil pulling guide).

1. Scrape your tongue. Start by gently scraping your tongue to remove any buildup.
2. Oil pull. Measure 5ml of the rinse and gently swish it around your mouth for 10 to 15 minutes. There’s no need to swish aggressively. Just move the oil around your teeth and gums comfortably.
3. Spit it out. Spit the oil into a bin, not the sink, because oil can build up in your pipes. And remember, don’t swallow the used oil.
4. Rinse with water. Give your mouth a good rinse with clean water.
5. Floss and brush. Floss between your teeth, then brush thoroughly with toothpaste.

And just like that, you’re done.

If you enjoy using an alcohol-free mouthwash, you can include it in your routine too. Ideally, use it at a different time from brushing so you don’t immediately rinse away the fluoride in your toothpaste.

How Often Should You Oil Pull?

For most adults who tolerate it well, oil pulling can be part of a daily oral care routine. We recommend using our Oil Pulling Oral Rinse in the morning, before brushing your teeth.

You only need 5ml per session, so a little goes a long way: one 250ml bottle gives up to 50 uses. The most important thing is finding a routine that works for you and sticking to it.

Ready to Give Oil Pulling a Try?

If you’ve been looking for a natural addition to your oral care routine, oil pulling is worth exploring. It’s simple, easy to incorporate into your day, and has a long history in traditional wellness.

At Ria Naturals, we love taking ingredients that have been used for generations and turning them into products that feel good to use every day. Our Oil Pulling Oral Rinse comes in two variants, Cinnamon and Mellow Mint, both made with coconut oil, sesame oil, and botanical essential oils.

Ria Naturals Oil Pulling Oral Rinse, 250ml, KES 1,500. Order online for delivery across Kenya, or visit us at Shop 18, Jeevanjee Shopping Mall, Nairobi CBD. Instagram: @rianaturals.

Swish, spit, rinse, brush, smile.

Frequently Asked Questions About Oil Pulling

What is oil pulling?

Oil pulling is a traditional Ayurvedic practice where you swish oil around your mouth for several minutes before spitting it out. It’s a simple way to add an extra cleansing step to your oral care routine.

Does oil pulling help with body detox?

Oil pulling is traditionally associated with detoxification in Ayurveda. There isn’t strong evidence that it removes toxins from the body. What it does give you is an extra cleansing step for your mouth.

How long should I oil pull?

We recommend swishing 5ml of Ria Naturals Oil Pulling Oral Rinse for 10 to 15 minutes. If you’re new to oil pulling, start with a shorter time and gradually work your way up as you get comfortable.

Can oil pulling help with bad breath?

Many people find their mouth feels cleaner and their breath fresher after oil pulling. It’s a great addition to your regular brushing, flossing, and tongue-cleaning routine.

Does oil pulling whiten teeth?

Scientific studies haven’t established teeth-whitening results from oil pulling, so it shouldn’t be used as a whitening treatment. What you can expect is a clean-feeling smile.

Is it safe to oil pull every day?

Oil pulling is generally well tolerated by adults who can swish and spit safely. Avoid swallowing the oil and stop using it if you experience irritation. Children over 12 can oil pull with an adult supervising.

Which is better for oil pulling, coconut oil or sesame oil?

Both are popular choices. Coconut oil contains lauric acid and has a mild taste, while sesame oil has been used in Ayurvedic oral care for centuries. At Ria Naturals, we’ve combined the two in our Oil Pulling Oral Rinse.

Should I oil pull before or after brushing?

We recommend oil pulling before brushing. Once you’ve finished, spit out the oil, rinse your mouth with water, floss, and brush your teeth.

Can oil pulling replace brushing my teeth?

No. Oil pulling works best as an additional step in your oral care routine. You should still brush twice daily, floss, and visit your dentist regularly.

Where can I buy oil pulling rinse in Kenya?

Order Ria Naturals Oil Pulling Oral Rinse online for delivery across Kenya, visit us at Shop 18, Jeevanjee Shopping Mall, Nairobi CBD, or message us on Instagram at @rianaturals. The 250ml bottle is KES 1,500 and comes in Cinnamon and Mellow Mint.