Oil pulling has been proven to be an effective method in reducing plaque formation and plaque induced gingivitis. This preliminary study shows that coconut oil is an easily usable, safe and cost effective agent with minimal side effects which can be used as an adjuvant in oral hygiene maintenance.
Some of the commonly used oils for the oil pulling activity are coconut oil, sunflower oil, sesame oil, and olive oil. Here, suitable oil must be put in the mouth, and rinsing is done for around 10 minutes. It dilutes tartar, plaque, and other unwanted organisms from the teeth.
In one study, 60 participants with gingivitis began oil pulling with coconut oil for 30 days. After 1 week, they had reduced amounts of plaque and showed an improvement in gum health ( 14 ).
Plaque is the layer of bacteria that gets developed on the teeth surface. These bacteria start increasing and decay the tooth further. In oil pulling, oil is taken in the mouth and swished from all the sides like the mouth for around 10 minutes, and spat outside. This activity must be done around 3 to 4 times properly.
Coconut oil may help to attack harmful bacteria in the mouth that can cause bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease ( 4 , 6 ). It's particularly effective at killing an oral bacteria called Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), which is a leading cause of tooth decay.
Oil-Pulling Tips
Also, a recent study found that coconut oil may help prevent tooth decay. Start with just 5 minutes a day. Twenty minutes of swishing is a long time, and while the longer you pull, the more bacteria you'll remove, 5 or 10 minutes will still offer some benefit.
Brushing your teeth with baking soda and salt softens the calculus, making it easy to remove. The mixture should smoothly be scrubbed on the teeth by using a toothbrush. Once done, wash your teeth with lukewarm water and gargle properly.
The best way to remove the build-up of plaque and tartar on your teeth is by brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Daily flossing and using an antiseptic mouthwash will help to keep bacteria at bay in hard-to-reach areas.
The acetic acid in white vinegar has antibacterial properties and promotes demineralization of tooth enamel, making it effective in removing tartar and plaque. Add half a teaspoon of salt to half a cup of water and add two teaspoons of white vinegar to it. Stir it well and gargle the mixture twice a day.
You do not need to brush your teeth before oil pulling as the practice will remove food and bacteria from the mouth. However, it is important to brush afterwards to ensure that all of the toxins that are drawn out of the mouth are removed. If it feels weird, keep going. There's no right or wrong way to oil pull.
Rinsing should be continued for perhaps 5 to 20 minutes, so that the edible oil is pulled through the teeth and mouth.
To maximize results, try to oil pull at least a few times per week or up to three times per day. When you first start, you can swish for about five minutes and gradually increase the duration until you are at 20 minutes. Keep in mind that oil pulling doesn't replace traditional oral care.
You can whiten your teeth with coconut oil every day if you want, but most people choose to do it only a few times a week. If you don't want to swish the oil around in your mouth, you can always apply the oil to your toothbrush and simply brush your teeth.
Floss daily: Floss once a day with dental floss or a water flosser to get rid of food and plaque stuck between teeth. Studies show that flossing before brushing teeth removes more plaque. Brush twice a day: Brush teeth for two minutes with a soft-bristled toothbrush (manual or powered) and fluoride toothpaste.
Start by mixing white vinegar in a glass of warm saltwater. This solution can then be gargled once a day to aide in the removal of tartar that has formed on the region between the teeth and gums. The mixture should be made from two tablespoons of white vinegar into a cup of warm water with dissolved salt.
About plaque removal
This hard substance is tartar and the only way to remove it is to see your dentist for a professional scraping of your teeth. There are some types of toothpaste that promise to help with tartar control, but they work by removing plaque off your teeth before it hardens and becomes tartar.
While you can't safely remove tartar at home, with an excellent oral hygiene routine, plaque removal can be done by following these steps: Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
Put a small amount of baking soda on your toothbrush (around a tablespoon is fine), and then wet the toothbrush. Brush your teeth like you normally would with toothpaste and then rinse. You can also replace a little bit of the baking soda with a pinch of salt and follow the same instructions.
Baking Soda – Baking soda contains mild abrasives that can help remove deposits of tartar. The paste will need to be formed and applied to your toothbrush. Note, this should not mix with toothpaste. White Vinegar – White wine vinegar with a glass of warm salt water can also do the trick.
As mentioned earlier, tartar can only be removed by a professional. During the procedure, the dentist uses an ultrasonic device with a small nozzle to remove tartar from areas or spots that are hard to reach. The process of tartar removal may or may not be painful and is dependent on several factors.
Next, not only is coconut oil unable to regrow your teeth, nothing can. And lastly, the key to healthy teeth and enamel is proper oral care. And that means regular brushing using a soft-bristle toothbrush with fluoride toothpaste, as well as flossing and dental checkups.
Oil pulling should be ideally performed daily morning on empty stomach before brushing teeth and care should be taken that oil is not swallowed. Swallowing of oil during oil pulling should be avoided as the oil contains bacteria and toxins.
Oil pulling may sound intimidating, but it couldn't be easier. Just put about a tablespoon of oil in your mouth first thing in the morning after brushing your teeth and swish it around, drawing it back and forth through your teeth. If you can, have a little gargle as well.
However, coconut oil may be linked to some potential benefits for skin, including reducing inflammation, keeping skin moisturized and helping heal wounds. The medium-chain fatty acids found in coconut oil also possess antimicrobial properties that can help treat acne and protect the skin from harmful bacteria.