Will Coconut Oil Whiten Your Teeth? 5 Health Benefits

I have been intermittently practicing coconut oil pulling for over 10 years. Will coconut oil whiten your teeth? While studies don't confirm this, I've noticed time and again that my teeth are a few shades lighter within a few weeks of oil pulling.

I never started oil-pulling for whiter teeth.

I practice oil pulling for the many other added health benefits you'll learn about today.

What is oil pulling?

Oil pulling is an ancient practice stemming from Ayurveda. It's been used for good oral health and disease prevention for many years in India. You take a spoonful of organic, unrefined coconut oil in your mouth. It then involves swishing it through your teeth for a period of time, then spitting it out in order to remove toxins from the gums and mouth.

The process is similar to using mouthwash, though kept in the mouth for a much longer period of time to be effective.

4 Benefits of Oil Pulling

There are quite a few health benefits of oil pulling that can be experienced when done over time.

Potential Teeth Whitening 

Tannins in coffee, tea, red wine, and chocolate, can be left behind making teeth appear more yellow in color. Coconut oil pulling can neutralize excess acid on the teeth such as coffee stains that could make the teeth appear whiter. But beyond pulling tannins from teeth, there are many benefits of oil-pulling beyond potentially whiter teeth that can transform not only your dental health but overall health and wellness.

Decreases Plaque and Gingivitis

Oil pulling with coconut oil contains antiviral and antifungal properties which can help prevent tooth decay and gum disease from occurring if used regularly.

Streptococcus mutans can lead to oral health problems, more effectively than other mouthwashes. A recent study showed oil pulling can decrease streptococcus mutans in as little as 2 weeks.

Decreases Bad Breath 

Swishing oil around in your mouth through your teeth and gums can also help your bad breath, known as halitosis, go away, which often comes from gases from the bad bacteria in your mouth.

Decrease Inflammation

Coconut oil pulling can decrease inflammation in the mouth and lower systemic inflammation. 

You’ve probably heard disease begins in the gut. Going even further, dis-ease actually begins in the mouth. Taking care of your dental health can take huge steps toward prevening future diseases in the body. It can start with regularly using coconut oil pulling.

How to do Oil Pulling the Right Way

If you want all the benefits of oil pulling you’ll have to make a time commitment for 30-45 days to see results. Many people often begin to see some results in as little as 15 days.

I like to do my oil pulling in the morning integrating it with my morning routine. The other time I do it is when cleaning the house and listening to a podcast. It goes by in no time this way. 

You eventually want to build up to 15-20 minutes to see the full benefits. You can start with just 5-10 minutes a day. Your mouth muscles may tire at the beginning or you may have an active gag reflex so keep a trashcan near.

You never want to spit your oil in the toilet or in the sink because it can clog your drain. Always get rid of the oil in the trashcan.

After you finish oil pulling, always rinse your mouth and brush your teeth, so ensure all remaining toxins pulled from the coconut oil are removed.

Are There Risks when Oil Pulling?

Coconut oil is an enamel-safe method for whitening your teeth, however, there are a few best practices to keep in mind when starting out.

You don’t want to swallow the oil because that’s where the toxins are. Keep a trashcan nearby when you first start. Make sure you don’t have a partner or friend around making you laugh so you accidentally spit it out.

When you have finished your oil pulling, make sure you brush your teeth, rinse and spit again as well so you get all of the oil out. If not, you could be leaving some of the toxins behind to potentially be swallowed. 

Can I brush my teeth with coconut oil?

Oil pulling should always be an addition to the oral health routine you already practice. While oil pulling can pull toxins and bacteria from teeth, it is not a substitute for flossing or brushing.

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