Oil Pulling Benefits For a Healthier Mouth

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Wellness Mama » Blog » Health » Oil Pulling Benefits For a Healthier Mouth

Oil pulling is an age-old regimen rooted in ancient Ayurvedic medicine. It’s now a home remedy that uses natural substances to clean and detoxify the mouth and teeth. But is there any evidence behind this practice and how do you do it? 

Oil pulling, along with other elements of dental hygiene and regular dental visits, may help you avoid tooth decay and gum disease. It can also help whiten teeth naturally.

What is Oil Pulling?

The short answer is that it’s a process of swishing oil (usually sesame, sunflower oil, olive oil, or coconut oil) in the mouth for up to 20 minutes. The oil is then spat into the trash. The purpose is to improve oral health, and the best time to do it is on an empty stomach first thing in the morning.

The basic idea is that swishing oil in the mouth for a short time each day helps pull out the bad stuff and improve oral health. It’s similar to oil cleansing for the skin in that the principle of “like dissolves like” applies. The oil cuts through plaque buildup and removes toxins without damaging the teeth or gums.

The ancient practice of oil pulling (originally called gandusha) started in India thousands of years ago. But it wasn’t really used in the United States until recently. 

It was first given the name “oil pulling” in the United States in the early 1990s. A medical doctor, Dr. F. Karach, used it successfully in his medical practice. He claimed it could potentially cure several diseases, including oral ones. The word spread quickly!

Benefits of Oil Pulling

Oil pulling is an oral care practice with lots of anecdotal support but a lack of extensive scientific studies. Although there are some… (See the references below). Most sources agree that oil pulling is safe but debate its effectiveness.

Here are some of the reported benefits:

  • Whiter teeth 
  • Improvement of dry mouth (“xerostomia”)
  • Fewer cavities and cases of gingivitis
  • Reduced plaque
  • Stronger teeth and gums
  • Improved periodontal disease
  • Better breath (less “morning breath”)
  • Improvement in jaw pain (less TMJ pain)
  • Relief from sinus issues
  • Fewer headaches 
  • Better skin (less acne, eczema, and psoriasis)
  • Improved hormone balance
  • Less arthritis pain
  • And more…

A 2022 meta-analysis found oil pulling could help lower overall bacteria count in the mouth, improving oral health. 

That confirms what was highlighted the year before in 2021: When oil pulling, surface cells on the inside of the mouth are covered with oil droplets. There’s also more saliva production. The result is that the oil-saliva mix captures the bacteria during oil pulling, making it easy to remove by spitting it out.

A 2021 study showed coconut and sesame oil both reduced plaque and discoloration.

My Experience With Oil Pulling

Though I’ve done this for a few years, my only personal experience is with increased oral health (no plaque) and less sensitive (and whiter!) teeth. Although I haven’t had personal experience with this, I’ve heard experts explain how bacteria and infections can enter the blood through the mouth. It does make sense that addressing these infections could impact other parts of the body. 

At the very least, oil pulling can be beneficial. It should have no downside if it’s done correctly with a high-quality oil. The oil should be good enough quality to eat. Oil pulling is a very inexpensive therapy that could potentially benefit oral health. For those reasons, I see no downside to trying it and I’ve used it myself for several years.

Although more scientific research is needed, I’ve noticed the benefits personally. Dozens of Wellness Mama readers also swear by its effectiveness. 

How to Oil Pull

The concept is simple: a person swishes a couple of teaspoons of fruit or seed-based oil (coconut, sesame, or olive) in the mouth for 20 minutes. They then spit it out and rinse well. It’s best to oil pull in the morning, before eating or drinking anything. However, it can be done before each meal, if needed, for more severe infections or dental problems.

Virgin coconut oil is an excellent option because its lauric acid makes it naturally antibacterial. It has a milder taste than other oils. Anyone with an allergy to coconut oil or coconut products should avoid using coconut oil in this way. Ayurvedic Medicine traditionally used sesame oil, just make sure it’s organic.

You can also add some mouth healthy essential oils to the coconut or sesame oil for extra benefits. The company I co-founded, Wellnesse, has a Balanced Mouth Blend that’s great for this. It features anti-microbial essential oils that help improve the oral microbiome.

Oil Pulling Instructions

  • Put 1-2 teaspoons of oil into your mouth. The oil traditionally used in Ayurveda is organic sesame oil. Sesame is also the oil that’s been the most studied for use in oil pulling. Another option is organic coconut oil pulling. Whichever oil you choose, place 1-2 teaspoons in the mouth. I also pour a few drops of Brushing Blend (naturally antibacterial) into the mix. You can also plan ahead and make these easy coconut oil chews
  • Swish for 20 minutes. Timing is key. Dr. Bruce Fife is the author of a book on oil pulling called Oil Pulling Therapy. He says 20 minutes is long enough to break through plaque and bacteria but not so long that the body starts re-absorbing the toxins and bacteria. The oil will get thicker and milky as it mixes with saliva during this time. It should be creamy-white by the time it’s spat out. It will also double in volume during this time due to saliva. At first, it can be challenging to complete the full 20 minutes. I didn’t stress over it if I could only swish for 5-10 minutes when I first started.
  • Spit oil into the trash can. Especially if you have a septic system as I do. Don’t spit into the sink, as the oil may eventually clog the pipes. Don’t swallow the oil, either! Hopefully, it’s now full of bacteria, toxins, and pus that are being removed from the mouth!
  • Rinse well with warm water. Warm water seems to clean the mouth better (in my opinion). I swish a few times with warm water to get any remaining oil out of my mouth. Some sources recommend gargling with warm salt water.
  • Brush well. I prefer to brush with Wellnesse whitening toothpaste to ensure no bacteria remain.

Is Oil Pulling Safe?

Thankfully, this is one point all sources seem to agree on! Some sources claim that oil pulling doesn’t have the benefits often attributed to it or doesn’t actually detoxify the mouth. Still, all of them agree it shouldn’t cause side effects.

The oils typically used for oil pulling are edible oils that are considered healthy when eaten. So, they aren’t problematic when swished in the mouth. The only potential danger is swallowing the oil after it’s absorbed bacteria or toxins from the mouth. Ick. You don’t want to do that! 

I asked my dentist for his thoughts on oil pulling. He shared that while we need more research to know for certain, it could be an effective and safe alternative to mouthwash. 

Prescription mouthwashes contain a chemical called chlorhexidine, which may be harmful. Studies show that some of these oils used in oil pulling were just as effective as chlorhexidine mouthwash. Another option is to make this herbal homemade mouthwash.

Which Oil is Best For Oil Pulling?

The oil you use for oil pulling depends on your goals. If the goal is teeth whitening, I’ve found coconut oil to be the most effective (especially when combined with this unusual remedy). According to the British Dental Journal (BDJ), coconut oil is also slightly more effective at removing certain bacteria from the mouth. These include Streptococcus mutans bacteria known for causing dental caries.

Sesame oil is the oil recommended by most sources (mostly because it was one of the more widely available oils when the practice began). It’s also the most well-studied and considered safe for those not allergic to sesame seeds. Sometimes olive oil is used, but it’s not as well studied.

The main thing is to avoid using high Omega-6 or chemically created oils like vegetable oil, canola oil, soybean oil, corn oil, etc.

Who Can Do Oil Pulling?

Not every natural remedy is safe for everyone. Here’s the evidence on who can (and can’t) safely use oil pulling.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

I’ve done oil pulling during pregnancy, but I was also already doing it regularly before I got pregnant. I asked a midwife, and she said it’s generally considered safe for pregnant women, especially after the first trimester. 

Oral hygiene is especially critical during pregnancy due to the risks of infection. So, I’ve always been glad to have an extra way to keep my teeth and gums healthy while pregnant. I consider it the same as tooth brushing, flossing, or using mouthwash. (This is purely anecdotal, but I haven’t had a cavity, even while pregnant since I started oil pulling and following my oral health routine). 

A 2016 randomized controlled trial looked at oil pulling in pregnant women. The researchers found it was just as effective as chlorhexidine at fighting bad breath. This study didn’t raise any concerns about oil pulling during pregnancy.  

Oil pulling is generally considered safe while nursing, but check with a dentist or doctor to be safe. As with anything, check with a doctor or midwife before starting oil pulling, especially if pregnant.

Children

Several practitioners I’ve asked about this assured me that oil pulling is safe for kids once they’re old enough not to swallow the oil.

Those With Dental Issues

I got the okay to do this from my dentist and doctor with several (non-amalgam) fillings in my mouth. But I’d recommend checking with a doctor or dentist to be sure, especially if you have any metal fillings, crowns, or dental problems. 

Note: Some people may notice a detox reaction for the first few days of using oil pulling. This can include issues like mild congestion, headache, mucous drainage, or other effects. I personally didn’t notice these effects, but I’ve read cases of others who did.

FAQs About Oil Pulling

There are several questions that repeatedly come up about oil pulling, so I’ve compiled them here along with the most common answers. I also included any research I could find:

Does Oil Pulling Help Remineralize Teeth?

It may, but more research is needed. I talked about my personal experience remineralizing my teeth here. I used oil pulling as part of this protocol, but I suspect the benefit may have come from certain oils combatting the bacteria that cause tooth decay rather than actual mineral support for the tooth.

Coconut and sesame oils aren’t excellent sources of the minerals that teeth need. So using them in the mouth may not be a very effective way to provide minerals for restoring teeth. Since we’re constantly replenishing the minerals in our teeth and enamel through saliva, it seems more important to ensure we’re getting enough minerals internally. Then they’re available in saliva.

 Can People With Fillings Try Oil Pulling?

Dentist Lisa Matriste warns against oil pulling with amalgam (mercury) fillings. Mercury is lipophilic, meaning it’s attracted to fats. 

“Oil pulling will pull mercury out of the fillings which will then be absorbed into your tissues, inadvertently poisoning your body with mercury at a faster rate.”

She goes on to recommend having any mercury fillings removed before oil pulling. 

That said, I couldn’t find any scientific research on the safety of oil pulling with fillings. There’s some anecdotal evidence it could loosen them.  Check with your dentist to see if oil pulling would be appropriate for your particular dental situation. 

Does Oil Pulling Help Bad Breath? 

There’s one benefit of oil pulling all sources seem to agree on: better breath. Likely because of its ability to help wipe out harmful bacteria in the mouth. Evidence shows oil pulling can help improve breathing and reduce plaque, which combats bad breath. 

Can I Swallow the Oil? Or Where Should I Spit?

Again, please don’t swallow the oil after oil pulling. It may contain bacteria, dead skin, or other residues from the mouth and the whole purpose is to remove these toxins from the body. It’s also important not to spit this in the sink, shower, or toilet, as it may solidify and clog the drain. This especially pertains to coconut oil, which hardens as it cools.

I keep an old supplement container at my sink and spit the oil in it each morning. Then I throw it away when filled.

Do I Have to Swish for 20 Minutes?

I found it difficult to swish for 20 minutes when I first started. Though 20 minutes is the recommended timeframe, it isn’t a hard and fast rule. Neither is the recommendation to use a full tablespoon of oil. If you can only use a teaspoon and swish for 5 minutes, start with that and don’t stress about it. 

Adding a drop of essential oil may also help with the taste and make oil pulling easier. Just make sure any oil you use is safe to use internally. 

I also find the best time to oil pull is in the shower since this is the only time I’m not talking to my kids or doing something else. I don’t usually shower for 20 minutes, but this at least gets me part of the way through the time.

Does Oil Pulling Work?

My only personal experience is the oral health benefits, and I continue doing it for this reason. But there’s evidence that it might help with other conditions as well. The most comprehensive resource I’ve seen on the topic is the book “Oil Pulling Therapy” by Dr. Bruce Fife.

The American Dental Association (ADA) doesn’t, at this point, recommend oil pulling. Their recommended therapy against cavities is still fluoride. Learn how terrible fluoride is for your body by reading this article.

Although the research is limited, there are some scientific studies supporting the benefits of oil pulling. This includes its benefits for specific types of oral bacteria, dental caries, plaque/gingivitis, and oral micro-organisms. Because dental hygiene has a far-reaching impact throughout the body, oil pulling may improve overall health.

Have you ever tried oil pulling? What was your experience? Share below!

This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Steven Lin, who is a Board accredited dentist trained at the University of Sydney. With a background in biomedical science, he is a passionate whole-health advocate, focusing on the link between nutrition and dental health. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor or dentist.

  1. Peedikayil, F. C., Sreenivasan, P., & Narayanan, A. (2015). Effect of coconut oil in plaque related gingivitis — A preliminary report. Nigerian medical journal: journal of the Nigeria Medical Association, 56(2), 143–147. 
  2. Kapoor, U., Sharma, G., Juneja, M., & Nagpal, A. (2016). Halitosis: Current concepts on etiology, diagnosis and management. European journal of dentistry, 10(2), 292–300. https://doi.org/10.4103/1305-7456.178294
  3. Asokan, S., Rathan, J., Muthu, M. S., et al. (2008). Effect of oil pulling on Streptococcus mutans count in plaque and saliva using Dentocult SM Strip mutans test: a randomized, controlled, triple-blind study. Journal of the Indian Society of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, 26(1), 12–17. 
  4. Durai Anand, T. Pothiraj, C., Gopinath, R. M., et al. (2008). Effect of oil-pulling on dental caries causing bacteria (PDF). African Journal of Microbiology Research, 2(3), 63-66.
  5. HV Amith, Anil V Ankola, L Nagesh. Effect of Oil Pulling on Plaque and Gingivitis. Journal of Oral Health & Community Dentistry: 2007; 1(1):Pages 12-18.
  6. Asokan, S., Emmadi, P., & Chamundeswari, R. (2009). Effect of oil pulling on plaque induced gingivitis: A randomized, controlled, triple-blind study. Indian Journal of Dental Research, 20, 47-51.
  7. Thaweboon, S., Nakaparksin, J., & Thaweboon, B. (2011). Effect of oil-pulling on oral microorganisms in biofilm models. Asia Journal of Public Health, 2(2), 62-66.
  8. Peedikayil, F. C., Sreenivasan, P., & Narayanan, A. (2015). Effect of coconut oil in plaque related gingivitis – A preliminary report. Nigerian medical journal: journal of the Nigeria Medical Association, 56(2), 143–147. 
  9. Ludwar, L., Mannel, H., Hamacher, S., Noack, M. J., & Barbe, A. G. (2022). Oil pulling to relieve medication-induced xerostomia: A randomized, single-blind, crossover trial. Oral diseases, 28(2), 373–383. 
  10. Peng, T. R., Cheng, H. Y., Wu, T. W., & Ng, B. K. (2022). Effectiveness of Oil Pulling for Improving Oral Health: A Meta-Analysis – PMC. Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland), 10(10), 1991.
  11. Sezgin, Y., Memis Ozgul, B., Mara?, M. E., & Alptekin, N. O. (2021). Comparison of the plaque regrowth inhibition effects of oil pulling therapy with sesame oil or coconut oil using 4-day plaque regrowth study model: A randomized crossover clinical trial. International journal of dental hygiene, 10.1111/idh.12532. Advance online publication. 
  12. Griessl, T., Zechel-Gran, S., Olejniczak, S., Weigel, M., Hain, T., & Domann, E. (2021). High-resolution taxonomic examination of the oral microbiome after oil pulling with standardized sunflower seed oil and healthy participants: a pilot study. Clinical oral investigations, 25(5), 2689–2703.
  13. Sheikh, F. S., & Iyer, R. R. (2016). The effect of oil pulling with rice bran oil, sesame oil, and chlorhexidine mouth rinsing on halitosis among pregnant women: A comparative interventional study. Indian journal of dental research : official publication of Indian Society for Dental Research, 27(5), 508–512. https://doi.org/10.4103/0970-9290.195638
  14. Sezgin, Y., Memis Ozgul, B., Mara?, M. E., & Alptekin, N. O. (2021). Comparison of the plaque regrowth inhibition effects of oil pulling therapy with sesame oil or coconut oil using 4-day plaque regrowth study model: A randomized crossover clinical trial. International journal of dental hygiene, 10.1111/idh.12532. Advance online publication. 
  15. Matriste, L. (2017, October 29). The truth about oil pulling: A dental perspective. Laser + Holistic Dental. 
Oil pulling is an ancient practice that can whiten teeth, improve gums, bad breath and oral health by reducing bacteria, plaque, and infection in the mouth.
Sources

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Katie Wells Avatar

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

Comments

735 responses to “Oil Pulling Benefits For a Healthier Mouth”

  1. Bethany Avatar

    Definitely going to have to try this and get my boyfriend on board! His teeth have decayed enamel and prone to getting cavities no matter how much he brushes! My teeth are stained from coffee, and his from smoking, so hopefully this will help with some of our issues!

    ps. Good Lord, there are so many comments on this post, it took me 3 days to scroll to the bottom!! 😉

  2. Vanessa Avatar

    I have a cavity that has gone to the pulp and need a root canal. I have not money and my husband was laid off. will oil pulling alleviate the pain? Should i use coconut oil or sesame oil?

  3. Mary-Jo Avatar
    Mary-Jo

    As promised, in my post early March 2015 here is a follow up to my coconut oil pulling. The headaches and sinus pressure stopped after a few days. I missed a 2 day stretch and when I started again, so did the sinus pain and jaw pain. It passed. I went for my quarterly cleaning on 4-7-15, and the first thing the hygienist asked me was, “did you cut back on drinking tea?” I told her no, I am oil pulling. She said I was the second patient to tell her that. She told me my teeth are so white and clean of stains. I told her I only found out that was a benefit of oil pulling, but my main concern was to save my teeth and gums. I had always used a hard bristle toothbrush and scrubbed 4 minutes like my mom told me too. It turns out both she & I have gum deterioration and recession. She had gum grafting in her 40’s. I want to avoid that and only use soft bristle now and brush very gently, but still have to go quarterly for cleaning and deep cleaning every other year. My gum measurements 3 mos ago were 1-3 at best and 4-10 at worst level. I am now at mostly “1-3”, with only two “4”, one “5”, one “6” and one “8”I started 2-28-15 and my results from 4-7-15 are significant. I will post my update in July when I have my next cleaning. I use it at night while watching TV or doing chores. I don’t swish the entire 20 minutes, but only randomly, before spitting it into the garbage, and rinsing with water. So far this is a positive and personal best for me. I wish everyone the same positive results.

  4. Kat Avatar

    I can’t believe how well oil pulling has worked for me. When I first heard about it, I’d been having some trouble feeling like no matter how often I brushed, I always had bad breath (likely due to the massive amounts of coffee I was drinking to get through my 60-80 hour work weeks). A friend of mine told me she’d had a similar issue, and had tried oil pulling. When she explained that she swishes oil in her mouth for 20 minutes a day, I exclaimed, “You’re kidding me!” (Only, I think in much stronger language…) It sounded so bizarre. Fast-forward six months, and one day I found myself sticking a spoonful of coconut oil in my mouth. I haven’t stopped oil pulling since. I’ve tried almost every whitening toothpaste, gel, etc, in the last few years, with no effect. Two weeks of oil pulling, and my teeth are whiter! But that’s a happy side effect. They stay cleaner, are less sensitive, and, after a lifetime of bleeding gums when brushing, my gums no longer bleed. My whole mouth feels cleaner and healthier. And I almost never have bad breath. Oil pulling is pretty phenomenal.

  5. Derek Avatar

    Ive had alot of kidney/adrenal problems I had a fr0ont tooth knocked ouyt at age 18 had a bridge pout in there this over yrs started a decline in my health slowly then 20 yrs later had constant adrenal burnout and kidneyu problems trying to regain my health I then read into dental and found out the two front teeth are connected to the kidney/adrenal meridian took the bridge out all my health came back over the nesxt yr had a diffrent bridge made all my kidney/adenal issues came back wondering if this is from a cavitation decided to try OIL pulling , I believe alot in natural therapies though this I wasnt sure how OP could help a cavitation but figured why not try it only beenntwo weeks havent noticed anything with the kidneys beingh better but something huge happen after the 1st week

    I used to box along time and thats how my front tooth got knocked out anyway always had sinus problems because of that . Adter a week of OP I noticed wow my nasal pasaages are opening I always every day have to use salt water in my nose to clear them after a week im not using salt water they seem to be so clear its been 20 yrs sincxe i could breathe this good out of my nose , Only been doing it two weeks but the last week everytime i do it I get so much post nasal drip into the oil I have to spit it out after 10 mins and do a new oil for the last 10 mins , it hasnt done anything for the kidney/adrenals yet but WOW the sinuses seem so clear

  6. Tanya McConnell Avatar
    Tanya McConnell

    Yes you can. I have a friend who does do it for 10 minutes and spits out and repeats process for an additional 10 minutes. As long as you do a ttl of 20 minutes. I do this 2 times a day for a ttl of 40 minutes.

  7. Erin W Avatar

    By 15 minutes I have so much saliva in my mouth that I can’t really swish anymore, can I do 10 minutes, spit, and 10 minutes more with a new tsp of coconut oil? I just started 3 days ago and I can’t get past 15 minutes.

  8. Ellie Avatar

    Burning question after reading thru ALL the comments to make sure I don’t repeat a question already asked: Can you use Oil of Oregano instead of the other oils for oil pulling? I’ve been brushing my teeth for years with it… just 2 drops on a damp toothbrush. It’s super for clean gums & fresh breath. Since hearing about oil pulling – I’d prefer to call it oil detoxing – I’ve been using 3-5 drops on my tongue and then start swishing. It foams up pretty fast and I can’t last longer than 6 minutes till I start gagging or spitting it out. What’s your view on this, HealthMama?

  9. Ellen Avatar

    I have been reading a lot on oil pulling, I have periodontal disease and it’s pretty advanced. I am trying to avoid having them taken out to get fake ones. Today was the 1st day and I have to say the 20 minutes went by quickly. I did however forget NOT to spit in the sink. So I am truly hopeful that oil pulling will help me! I’m so glad I found this page and was able to read everyones experience. Now if anyone knows if this will help the periodontal disease please let me know.

  10. Karen Avatar

    First, I want to say that when I started oil pulling , I was on the 4th day and as I was flossing a piece of tooth slid right out with the floss. It was in the middle of a molar all the way to the gum line. Very weird place for a tooth to break. It figures cause I really was hooked.
    I started pulling again yesterday and will do it every other day until I see my dentist.
    Tonight, I used a container with compartments that is for beads to make my pre-made chews for oil pulling. It worked like a charm and as long as my teeth stay put I will be very happy!

  11. Jenay Green Avatar
    Jenay Green

    How long do you have to do this before you begin seeing results?

  12. Stephanie Avatar
    Stephanie

    Can you add peppermint oil or tea tree oil with the coconut oil to dually serve as a mouthwash?

  13. Julia Avatar

    I’m in. I’ve been pulling for a few weeks. Tried it to alleviate pain in a tooth I’m afraid I need/needed a root canal on. I was in extreme pain and within a day of pulling the pain went away. It still is not right but it isn’t painful. I take the coconut oil and dip it into my xylitol/peppermint toothbrushing compound. The peppermint makes it quite pleasant. Any reason not to do that?
    ANYWAY…I’m here to say my only issue is that I cannot go 20 minutes without talking!!!! As soon as I put it in my mouth I’ve got someone that needs me to talk to them or I need to tell someone something (I have 5 children under 10 -including a 2 year old- and I homeschool!) I tried it while bathing since that should be a quiet time…but even found then someone at the door asking me questions.
    I’m excited about the pain going away and plan to find a way to take that vow of 20 minutes of silence at some point in my day. DON’T call me I might be pulling 😉

  14. Mary Avatar

    I am a Dental Hygienist and I have recommended oil pulling to my patients also. As to a few remarks. I have not seen any crowns or caps as some of you have called them come off from the pulling. Fluoride is not going to kill anyone in the low doses that are used in some of the toothpaste’s on the market. It is a well known fact that fluoride usage over years has reduced cavities in the population, especialy children. In a small cavity, you can get regeneration. The areas that some of these people are talking about, the dark spots on the top of their molars are staining in the deep pits of the teeth. The pulling is cleaning the stain out. You can not completely heal a deep cavity. You guys can go on and on with your stories but God gave you a certain amount of enamel. Some of us have more on our teeth than ours. Years ago patients would tell me I have weak enamel. That’s not true, it’s the thickness. Some people have a thin layer of enamel and some people are blessed with a thicker layer. Enamel does not regenerate with a big cavity folks. A abcess may stop hurting but it is still there, if a tooth dies the pulp, the main blood supply to the tooth is gone. The canal starts to close off on some of these teeth. Some of the teeth start to resorb at the top of the root and you don’t know it. You may get what is called a fistula which is where some of these people say the tooth stopped hurting. It stopped hurting because the infection found away to escape some where in your mouth. You may not know it because you are doing the oil pulling and you are not seeing the pus coming out. It does not hurt because the pressure from the infection has been released not cured. You can not stop going to a dentist with oil pulling. When you oil pull, yes you are bringing out the bacteria in your mouth. You are also breaking up the biofilm that forms on your teeth within minutes after cleaning your teeth. The film is what the plaque adheres to. It is aways there with the bacteria and all of the other goodies in your saliva. That is why you say your teeth feel so smooth. They stay that way longer with the oil pulling, thus you not building up as much plaque as you maybe were before. The oil also helps with perio disease, gum disease. It is pulling out the bacteria in the pockets around the sulcus, neck of your tooth, thus lowering the inflammation and bleeding. The bad breath can be coming from not brushing your tongue, some of you say you gag and probably can’t brush your tongue because of this. The swishing is also cleaning the papillae on your tongue which will help with the bad breath of some individuals. One more thing I kept reading that bothered me was the lemon water rinse or water. I have sensitive teeth and the oil really helps with this. The lemon water is very acidic and you are kind of defeating the purpose if you go back with the lemon after the oil. Again, I think the areas that the people see that they think they are curing decay especially at the gumline are abrided areas that are stained and they are getting whiter. I just read a study folks and you can not just get by with oil pulling. You need to brush and floss your teeth. Where your teeth contact, the oil is not always going to clean there. I have cleaned a patients teeth and gone to floss and pulled out plaque from the contact area and I have scaled and polished. You need X-rays whether some of you think you don’t . We can’t see through your teeth. We can see shadows on some of the teeth, and don’t lie and tell your hygienist you floss when you don’t because we know. Some of you think we are out for your money and are going to poison you. Some of these remarks are so not true. Don’t scare these people on here with things you truly don’t know. I have 37 years in this profession and I would not work for a unethical Dentist. I have worked with some of the best. We are not monster’s out to get your money. My goal is to keep you healthy, and oil pulling along is not going to do it. Thank you for your time. And another thing, we dental people have amalgam fillings and we aren’t died. These fillings tend to wear out over time. Think about it. Most of you received those first fillings in those molars when you were very young. Most kids get that first filling in those molars around 12 years old. After many years they start to wear out. One lady said something about growing teeth because of grinding. That’s way you will hear us say are you waking up with headaches, are you grinding your teeth, we may need to make you a bite guard. That’s why you see older folks with shorter teeth and they are darker. They have worn them down and the layer under the enamel that some of you think grows back is the dentin. I have a question for God if I get to heaven? Why did he make dentin brown in color so as we get older and our teeth start to wear they get darker? I guess if you have the money you can have beautiful crown work like the movie stars. Hope this answers some of the questions I saw. I know I do have a education and I do know what I am talking about whether you agree with me or not. I will keep doing my oil pulling. I recommended to two of my patients today.

    1. Derek Avatar

      Don’t ever believe what a medical profession says not that they are evil but BY GOLLY how dare you say that the education they received was false …lol Its comical how far off they are first the body is always trying to regain homeostasis the body is constantly regenerating itself . I once was talking to the girl at a healthstore and I told her the teeth are living this rude lady in back of me said OMG I’m a dental hygienist and that is the most ridiculous thing I ever heard teeth are not living .. Well that right there shows me they are taught about what makes money and that’s it how the funk can you sit in a school get a degree and not know something as basic as the teeth being alive , if they are dead they would turn colors . I hate when these so called medical professionals announce to the world they are a professional so what they say is the word usually it means they have no clue about the body or nutrition . Dr Weston Price proved you can cure cavities funny how much of this Dentist work was thrown out but people Like Mike Adams and Dr Huggins bring this back

      1. Derek Avatar

        Ya know why Mary’s enamel will not grow back and many other she is using toothpaste the flouride and glycerine will stop the teeth from being able to regenerate enamel , even healthfood store toothpaste has glycerine it synthetically coats the teeth and they cannot regenerate you can use bakin soda or a product called toothsoap by the way lemon is not acidic it actually has a PH of 9 which is very alkaline

  15. Nick Charlie Key Avatar
    Nick Charlie Key

    Hi Katie!

    I’ve started on a Low Carb lifestyle journey lately and was finding that i was having really bad breath, what people call “Keto Breath” from entering Ketosis. Oil Pulling was suggested as a way to fix this, and I came across your blog post about it. I’m going to try it first thing tomorrow as I have a HUGE tub of coconut oil in my cupboard, as I use it as my main source of cooking oil 🙂

    Thanks for a great blog!

  16. Mary-Jo Avatar
    Mary-Jo

    Thank-you for answering my question on sever headache pain and sinus pressure, plus pain in the mouth. I started oil pulling on 2-28-15 and immediately felt head, sinus and teeth pain. After reading this, I see others have also. I am looking forward to it going away and would prefer oil pulling to flossing, since I do it as I work around the house or whatever, and don’t have to stop 3 times a day to floss. I have been going 4 times a year for deep planing and it hurts, costs a lot and is not helping ! I always eat healthy and low sugar or carbs my whole life as well as great oral hygiene, My mom has the same problem, while other siblings don’t. She needed gum grafting, and I would prefer to heal naturally to avoid that procedure. Using a firm toothbrush and scrubbing my teeth until bleeding as a kid is my culprit. I will report back after a few months to see if my gums have improved.

    1. Elle Avatar

      Just keep oil pulling and sinus, loose teeth, better health, and other ailments will disappear. I have been doing it for 2 years and my health has changed dramatically.

  17. Suzanne Avatar
    Suzanne

    I am trying so hard at this – 1) A tablespoon is WAY too much. Can only use about half that. Will the lesser amount still get desired results? 2) I get a bad throat tickle about 5 minutes in and have to spit it out – use Thieves throat spray – and start again.

    Things I notice – my sinus are so much clearer (probably the throat tickle effect); bad breath gone all day (and I have bridges, implants and all kinds of food trappers).

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar

      Yes, a smaller amount will be fine. You may still want to try to work up to more, but at the end of the day, your mouth will only hold what it will hold.

      1. nagely Avatar

        Is it ok to warm up the oil or do we have to put it in, in the original form?

  18. Spryte Avatar

    Oil pulling works. Had an abcess, in 24 hours it was gone. Olive oil, green tea bags, and persistence . My teeth are already visibly whiter. Oh and sea salt swishing. Now I brush with sea salt and oil pull once a day. Life changing….

  19. ellen Avatar

    This is my second attempt at regular oil pulling. I’m having much a much better time of it this time. I started with a small amount for 5 minutes and now I’m doing 1 heaping teaspoon for 20 minutes. It’s just been a few weeks and already my teeth are so much whiter…well it’s just amazing! Also the terrible sensitivity I had is much, much better. An earlier post from a dental professional recommended Sensodyne Total. I used to use this toothpaste and was forced to stop as it, all of a sudden after years of using it, made my mouth so dry I could barely swallow. I talked to my periodontist who said he’d been hearing that from other of his patients and had surmised that they had changed something in their formula. By the way, he was the one to suggest oil pulling to me. He said that some of his other patients were having success with it for plaque problems. So far, I have to admit, though I don’t like doing it I’m getting used to it and it’s really helping. My teeth feel great and look great. Whether or not it has an effect on my overall health? I’ll get back to you, but I know I won’t stop this time. My teeth are whiter than they’ve been since I was a kid!

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