Coconut oil pulling has gained mainstream attention in the news and on fashion blogs in recent years. I\u2019ve been using this Ayurvedic oral health practice off and on for years, and I\u2019ve seen noticeable effects. It was one of the tools I used to remineralize my teeth<\/a> and reverse tooth decay<\/a>.<\/p>\n Although it\u2019s somewhat controversial, oil pulling has existed for thousands of years. The practice not only offers health benefits for our mouths, but in caring for our mouths, we\u2019re caring for our bodies. Oral health goes beyond the health of our teeth and gums. (Listen to this amazing podcast<\/a> with a dentist).<\/p>\n Adding coconut oil pulling to your dental hygiene routine is a great way to support a healthy mouth and body. It\u2019s one tool that should be in your dental health toolkit!<\/p>\n Oil pulling<\/a> is an ancient remedy from the Ayurveda practice that originated in India thousands of years ago. It involves taking a small amount of high-quality, organic oil and swishing it in your mouth (like a mouthwash) for 15 to 20 minutes.<\/p>\n Various oils can be used for oil pulling, but they need to be food-grade (edible oil). And it should be something you\u2019d eat (so high-quality). I prefer to use coconut oil because of its many health benefits and antibacterial properties.<\/p>\n It could be called \u201coil-swishing,\u201d as the word \u201cpulling\u201d can be confusing. The term pulling refers to the idea that the oil pulls bacteria out of the gums.<\/p>\n There are lots of benefits of oil pulling. It\u2019s a great complement to an oral care routine of brushing and flossing. And it\u2019s much better than using conventional mouthwash, often full of toxic chemicals and alcohol. Using coconut as your oil of choice is a great way to benefit from this amazing oil.<\/p>\n When you swish with oil, it binds to the biofilm, or plaque buildup, on the teeth. This helps reduce tooth decay and strengthens gum health. This helps prevent cavities and gingivitis. It also removes harmful bacteria that can cause periodontitis, tooth decay, and halitosis (bad breath).<\/p>\n Some sources claim that oil pulling with coconut can help everything from acne to sore throats and even heart disease. But I\u2019ve never seen any scientific documentation of these claims. However, it\u2019s well known that good oral health practices can benefit overall health. This includes lowering the risk of diabetes and heart attacks.<\/p>\n I wouldn\u2019t rely on it alone to address any internal or serious medical problem, but I find it helpful to keep my mouth healthy and avoid bad breath.<\/p>\n Oil pulling has been shown to reduce the number of Streptococcus mutans<\/a> bacteria in the mouth, especially when done with coconut oil. Streptococcus mutans is one prominent bacteria in the mouth. It\u2019s been linked to tooth decay<\/a> and gum disease.<\/p>\n There\u2019s also scientific evidence that it\u2019s as effective as chlorhexidine<\/a> mouthwash in reducing bacteria. Chlorhexidine is a common antiseptic that\u2019s used as a mouth rinse. It\u2019s also a possible neurotoxin<\/a>. I\u2019d much rather use coconut oil than that!<\/p>\n Although there isn\u2019t scientific evidence showing that it\u2019s good for teeth whitening, I found it worked for me. In my experience, using coconut oil for oil pulling helped whiten my teeth. My teeth felt smoother and looked whiter after adding in this practice. A 2017 study found oil pulling helps remove plaque which causes enamel to look yellow.\u00a0<\/p>\n However, I won\u2019t rely on this practice alone to whiten my teeth. I also use a few other practices<\/a>, including brushing with whitening toothpaste<\/a> and a toothpaste containing charcoal<\/a> (that really helps to whiten!).<\/p>\n It\u2019s important to use oil pulling as part of a comprehensive oral health regimen and not to replace normal oral hygiene. Oil pulling is a great addition to brushing twice daily, flossing<\/a>, and regular dental checkups.<\/p>\n There aren\u2019t any side effects of oil pulling. However, some people report negative reactions to coconut. Anyone with any topical or internal reaction to coconut in any form (especially an allergy to it) shouldn\u2019t use it for oil pulling. In these cases, sesame oil would be a better alternative.<\/p>\n Some people have raised concerns about oil pulling with amalgam or mercury based fillings. Holistic dentist Dr. Reese explains that not only is oil pulling safe with mercury fillings, but it may help pull the toxic metals out of the nerve endings and the CNS.<\/p>\n If you accidentally swallow the oil, it could give you a stomach ache. Make sure you spit it out in the trash can (more on how to oil pull below). Not swallowing helps your body not reabsorb the bacteria you\u2019re trying to eliminate.<\/p>\n Because you likely haven\u2019t swished something for 15-20 minutes before, it can make your mouth or jaw tired when you first start. If that\u2019s the case, start off with 5 minutes, then work your way up to 15-20.<\/p>\n As with any oral product, it\u2019s important to check with a dentist about any concerns before using, especially if other dental conditions are present.<\/p>\n You can use a variety of oils for oil pulling, including sesame oil, sunflower oil, or olive oil. Traditional cultures usually use sesame seed oil. I prefer to use coconut oil for several reasons. I love that it\u2019s antimicrobial, antiviral, and antibacterial. It also contains antioxidants and is anti-inflammatory. I love to use it in my DIY health recipes, including my natural whitening toothpaste<\/a>.<\/p>\n As mentioned earlier, it\u2019s effective in attacking Streptococcus mutans bacteria, which causes cavities. It\u2019s rich in medium-chain triglycerides and high in lauric acid, making it effective in killing bacteria.<\/p>\n In my experience, coconut oil pulling is more effective at removing plaque and whitening teeth than sesame oil, although I don\u2019t have any scientific studies proving the difference.<\/p>\n Choose a high-quality, unrefined organic virgin coconut oil for oil pulling. That way, you\u2019ll get the most benefit from it. Plus, I like that it has a milder taste than other oils. This is my favorite one<\/a> to use.<\/p>\n At the suggestion of a friend, I\u2019ve also experimented with using MCT oil<\/a> instead. MCT oil is a great option for those who don\u2019t like the taste of coconut but still want some of the benefits. It\u2019s more expensive, but I like using it.<\/p>\n Fractionated coconut oil, liquid coconut oil, and MCT oil are all basically the same thing. If you opt for one of these, make sure it\u2019s organic and food-grade. Fractionated coconut oil and MCT oil have had the lauric acid removed, so they don\u2019t offer the same health benefits as unrefined coconut oil.\u00a0<\/p>\n Oil pulling is easy to do! I like to do it as a part of my morning routine<\/a>. It\u2019s usually one of the first things I do. Since it takes several minutes, I often do it in the shower.<\/p>\n Using oil pulling adds another step to your oral hygiene routine. But it\u2019s got a lot of benefits, and I\u2019ve seen improvements from using it, so I\u2019d definitely recommend adding it to your routine.<\/p>\n Short on time in the mornings, but want to try oil pulling? I\u2019ve discovered a way to simplify it (and save time each day)! I make mini coconut oil chews<\/a> that melt in the mouth. I add in Balanced Mouth Blend<\/a> essential oils and freeze them.<\/p>\n \u00a0It\u2019s an easy way to have pre-portioned bites ready to go. It makes it easier to get my kids to do it with me (plus, it helps me stay on track with my dental care!). Just pop one in your mouth, and use it the same way.<\/p>\nWhat is Oil Pulling?<\/h2>\n
Coconut Oil Pulling Benefits<\/h2>\n
Does Oil Pulling Work?<\/h3>\n
Does Coconut Oil Pulling Whiten Teeth?<\/h3>\n
Coconut Oil Pulling Dangers<\/h2>\n
What Type of Oil Can I Use for Oil Pulling?<\/h2>\n
Best Coconut Oil for Oil Pulling<\/h3>\n
How to Use\u00a0 Coconut Oil for Oil Pulling<\/h2>\n
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Try Coconut Oil Pulling Chews<\/h2>\n
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