What is Gandusha|Kavala or Oil Pulling ? How is it done ? What are the materials to be used ?

Introduction

Kavala and Gandusha which have been practiced since ancient times are the two techniques of oil pulling in Ayurveda. Kavala is one, where, a little quantity of oil is held in the mouth, swishing is done for 3-5 minutes and is then spit out, while, Gandusha is a method of holding of medicated oil in the mouth to the fullest capacity for a specific time, then spitting it out. 

Some people also brush their teeth with a little quantity of oil still in mouth, which is also beneficial in cleaning the stains and tartar.
(Read : Dental Hygience practices)

After performing Kavala/Gandusha, gargling with hot water is done so that the mouth gets cleansed without any remnants of the oil. It can be noticed that the consistency of the oil becomes thin while spitting out. Ideally oil pulling must be performed in empty stomach.

Oils to be Used

Oil pulling can be done with any edible oil like coconut oil, sesame oil, neem oil, mustard oil, Irimedadi oil etc. 

Irimedadi taila(How to use Irimedadi taila) is preferred over other oils because it is a medicated oil specifically targeted at oil pulling and for improving the oral health.

Dasakanti Churna(What is Dasanakanti Churna. How to use?) too can be used for brushing teeth after oil pulling.

It may be noted that Oil pulling is contradicted for uses in children below 5 years due to risk of aspiration2.

Benefits

1. Eliminates toxins from the mouth.

2. Strengthens the teeth and gums.
3. Prevents tooth decay.

4. Prevents gingivitis.
5. Eliminates bad breath.
6. Helps improve taste.
7. Helps in anorexia

In addition to the above, it also helps in healing systemic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, migraine, ischemic heart disease etc3

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Caution : Do not overdo in the first day as it might hurt your jaw. 

References:

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3131773/
2. https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?journal=Int+J+Res+Dent&title=Oil+pulling+%E2%80%93+a+comprehensive+cost-effective+domiciliary+remedy&author=K.+Sirisha&author=P.K.+Devi&volume=4&publication_year=2014&pages=1-5&
3. http://www.ispcd.org/userfiles/rishabh/jioh-02-04-010.pdf