How do you use coconut oil to whiten your teeth?

If you could bottle the secret to white teeth and super healthy, it would be coconut oil pulling mouthwash. Whether you’re looking for a deliciously mild flavor first thing the morning, improving your oral health, removing the damaging micro-organisms from your mouth, whitening your teeth or reducing plaque, it’s the ultimate health and beauty multitasker.

Practiced by millions worldwide, this practical and easy method of oral hygiene is becoming more and more mainstream as western celebrities are touting oil pulling as a natural method of teeth whitening and a great way to improve oral health.

Coconut Oil is an all natural oral detox and is widely known to erase stains from your teeth and banish harmful bacteria for a whiter smile and a healthier mouth. Traditional medicine among the Asian and Pacific population have used the healing properties of coconut oil widely and to significant effect, for ages. Pacific Islanders think coconut oil is the cure for all illness. There are also claims that oil pulling draws out toxins in your mouth and can cure many more ailments. However, the only scientific evidence so far is that it improves oral hygiene. It remains to be seen if the other claims about this process will be proven!

What is Oil Pulling?

Oil pulling is a method originating in the subcontinent of India as a traditional folk remedy that involves swishing oil orally. It was first discovered in the Ayurvedic text Charaka Samhita, where it is referred to as Kavala Graha or Kavala Gandoosha.

A Ukrainian oncologist, Dr. F. Karach, used this therapy with success in his own practice. He unveiled this therapy at a conference to the All Ukranische-Union of oncologists and bacteriologists of the Academy of Science in Russia where he gave a speech on the oil-pulling method and its many benefits.

So what is oil pulling used for?

This holistic practice has been found to be capable of improving oral health while also treating ailments like diabetes Mellitus and asthma. It has also been cited as a teeth whitener and as eradicating the bacteria that lead to gingivitis and bad breath, among other health benefits.

Science has studied the use of oil as a “pulling” agent or detox accelerator. Some studies have found to reduce lipids and other free radicals from the blood. Initial research is indicating the lipophilic effect is the mechanism for the detoxing results. Coconut oil has unique properties not found in other oils used for oil pulling, making it a popular choice for the added health benefits.

How to use Coconut Oil to Whiten Teeth

The main idea of oil pulling is when you swishing the oil inside your mouth, it forcing the bacteria to coalescence with oil, along with the oil melts the bacteria. Every time you rinse orally using the oil; you’re getting eliminate a lot of plaque and bacteria’s inside your mouth. Plaque is an element that affixes on the surface in our teeth, plus bacteria will occasionally get rid of it; that may make trouble.

Let’s break down the simple directions for oil pulling:

1. Make sure you have good quality oil.
2. Put about a tablespoon of the oil in your mouth.
3. Swish and move the oil back and forth in your mouth for 15-20 minutes.
4. Spit out the oil, rinse your mouth and then brush your teeth.

It is best to perform oil pulling on an empty stomach. Right after waking up is the best time to do it, as this is when people have a build up of bacteria in their mouth from the night before. Don’t swallow the oil as it will be filled with the bad bacteria as well as other microscopic pathogens. Spitting it out in the trash or somewhere outside is preferred as oil buildup over time can cause issues in the plumbing.

Once completed you should rinse out your mouth with water, salt water, or diluted apple cider vinegar in a glass of water. This will help loosen the plaque that wasn’t removed with the oil. Then be sure to brush and floss as usual. A tongue scraper is a handy tool to use after brushing for added oral cleanliness.

Is Coconut Oil a Teeth Whitener? Read Reviews

• “I was a bit skeptical about this form of teeth whitening but wow was I wrong. I have tried many over the counter whiteners and the chemical taste and feel just gross. With this oil, your mouth is left clean and natural.”

• “After using coconut oil just once, I noticed a drastic improvement in my teeth color – now after ten uses, they are several shades lighter. My overall dental health has also improved – I am extremely impressed and pleased!”

What is so special about Coconut Oil Pulling?

There is quite a long list of alleged benefits of oil pulling by many people, including dentists, doctors, and other health specialists. There is even published research (see below) that proves some of these claimed benefits. Additionally, many testimonials can be found online of people using oil pulling to great advantage.

Oil pulling or oil swishing has many benefits according to the thousands of people that practice it worldwide. Although there is limited research on oil pulling benefits in relation to health, the current data is proving to show great promise. The short theory is, fat-soluble toxins are attracted to the oil while it is swishing in the mouth. Oils are lipophilic and attract other oils, thereby “pulling” toxins from the body to be expelled.

• Makes your mouth clean and fresh day and night
• Removes up to 8bn harmful bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites
• No bleach, artificial chemicals or harsh abrasive ingredients
• Easy to open in 2 seconds doesn’t interrupt your usual morning routine
• Organic raw alkaline purest coconut oil and peppermint oil perfectly blend to taste delicious
• Whitens teeth & freshens breath, removes embarrassing decaying “bits in your teeth.”
• Soothes a sore mouth, helps prevent and heal tooth decay and gum disease
• 60% of teenagers, 91% of adults have gum disease – this doesn’t have to be you!
• 75% of pregnant women and most chemo patients suffer from bleeding gums
• Reduces inflammation, detoxes reduces cortisol
• Ayurvedic practice dating back 3,000 years backed by more than 15 clinical trials and research papers
• Extensively used, researched and verified in CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine)

Virgin Coconut Oil

Virgin coconut oil is the oil usually bought in stores and is beneficial for our health. The oil is derived from the coconut milk of fresh coconuts without using heat, to maintain the health promoting nutrients and compounds.

Virgin coconut oil has a distinct, refreshing taste and smell of fresh coconuts, whereas conventional refined or semi-refined coconut oil is virtually tasteless.

Where can I buy Coconut Oil?

There are plenty of good online stores that sell coconut oil products. Its worldwide popularity speaks for itself, but up until now you probably never realized how beneficial it is!

The quality of the oil is essential, and for $15 or less, there are plenty of quality options. Be sure to always opt for organic, non-GMO options when oil pulling. Amazon has an enormous general selection of virgin coconut oil. Below are some of the varieties we’ve tested and reviewed. If possible, purchase your coconut oil in a glass container to avoid the risk of chemicals leaching from the plastic. Remember that coconut oil is liquid at room temperature, and can be stored in the cabinet or refrigerator.

The best coconut oil you can buy is an organic, virgin, and ‘cold pressed.’ Make sure it has these, and you’ll be fine. Cold-pressed means the oil is formulated without heating it first.

Heating it turns the oil into a hydrogenated fat and makes it a solid at room temperature. Hydrogenated fat is not nearly as healthy and turns unsaturated fat to saturated and may also contain very unhealthy trans fat. Be sure to look for the following when purchasing in-store:

• Non-GMO
• Organic
• Unrefined
• Virgin & Extra-virgin

Research proving some of the benefits of Oil Pulling

This 2009 study[1] shows a reduction in plaque-induced gingivitis because of oil pulling.

“In this study, oil pulling therapy has been equally effective like chlorhexidine against halitosis and organisms which are associated with halitosis. Sesame oil has the following advantages over chlorhexidine: no staining, no lingering after taste, and no allergy. Sesame oil is five to six times cost-effective than chlorhexidine and is readily available in the household. There are no disadvantages for oil pulling therapy except for the extended duration of the procedure compared with chlorhexidine.”[2]

A reduction in tooth decay-causing S. mutans was found in this study[3] published in 2011 in the Journal of Indian Society of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry.

1. Asokan S, Emmadi P, Chamundeswari R. Effect of oil pulling on plaque induced gingivitis: A randomized, controlled, triple-blind study. Indian J Dent Res 2009;20:47-51
2. Asokan S, Kumar R S, Emmadi P, Raghuraman R, Sivakumar N. Effect of oil pulling on halitosis and microorganisms that cause halitosis: A randomized controlled pilot trial. J Indian Soc Pedod Prev Dent 2011;29:90-4
3. Asokan S, Rathan J, Muthu M S, Rathna PV, Emmadi P, Raghuraman, Chamundeswari. Effect of oil pulling on Streptococcus mutans count in plaque and saliva using Dentocult SM Strip mutans test: A randomized, controlled, triple-blind study. J Indian Soc Pedod Prev Dent 2008;26:12-7