They tested coconut oil, a variety of vegetable oil, sesame oil and olive oil. Of the oils that were tested, only coconut oil was found to prevent Streptococcus mutans, which is the scary-sounding name for an acid-producing bacteria that is present in your mouth (yuck!) and is a leading cause of tooth decay.
coconut oil showed a significant decrease in plaque and gingival scores in comparison to olive oil in patients with mild to moderate gingivitis. That is, those who pulled with coconut oil had less plaque buildup and less inflammation in their gums than those in the olive oil group.
Oil pulling is simple: You place a tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil (coconut and sesame oils are also good) on your tongue and swish it around your mouth for at least five minutes, pulling it between the teeth for an in-depth teeth cleaning.
Oil Pulling:
This practice, not only removes plaque but also treats toothache, bleeding gums, soothes sore gums and prevents tooth decay. You can try swishing your mouth using coconut oil, olive oil or sesame oil as these oils exhibit anti-bacterial properties and promote dental health.
They tested coconut oil, a variety of vegetable oil, sesame oil and olive oil. Of the oils that were tested, only coconut oil was found to prevent Streptococcus mutans, which is the scary-sounding name for an acid-producing bacteria that is present in your mouth (yuck!) and is a leading cause of tooth decay.
Oil Pulling
What's more, it's an effective natural remedy for receding gums and gingivitis. To practice oil pulling, you'll need sesame oil or high-quality coconut oil. Simply swish a spoonful of oil in your mouth while pulling the oil between your teeth as well. Do this for 20 minutes and spit it out.
What are the risks of Oil Pulling? The negative side effects of oil pulling including dry mouth, excessive thirst, muscular stiffness, exhaustion and loss of sensation or taste in the mouth.
Dentist Concerns About Oil Pulling
Although it isn't particularly harmful, some people may experience some side effects. Also, it should never replace daily brushing, flossing and other dental hygiene habits that are necessary for a healthy mouth.
Dr. Mark Burhenne, from Ask the Dentist, says, “If you brush after you pull, you'll actually get rid of the good bacteria you just worked to support.”9 With this in mind, brushing then swishing may be best.
It's recommended that you perform oil pulling once per day, every day. Doing this on a regular basis can help prevent oral health problems by removing harmful bacteria from your mouth. However, don't do it more than once daily, as it can cause tiredness or soreness of the jaws.
You don't have to brush your teeth before oil pulling. It's better to brush afterwards so you can completely remove the oil and bacteria from your mouth. Oil pulling involves swishing an edible oil around in your mouth to remove bacteria.
Oil-Pulling Tips
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. Also, if your jaw starts aching a few minutes in, slow down. "Don't work too hard," Emery says.
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.
While oil pulling can be performed at any time of the day, many people suggest that it works best first thing in the morning or at least two to three hours after eating to ensure that the individual has an empty stomach.
Dr. Ankita Gada Dental Director of Sabka dentist says "Oil pulling activity is one of the better ways to get rid of the plaque from the mouth. Dental experts suggest some oils like Coconut oil, Sesame oil, Sunflower oil, and Olive oil for this. Ensure that your stomach is empty while doing the activity.
But let's get this upfront: Coconut oil can't repair receding gums. But can coconut oil help fight off plaque-producing bacteria in the mouth that leads to gum disease and receding gums? Limited research shows oil pulling – swishing coconut oil in your mouth for several minutes – might be an oral care aid.
However, this practice could be harmful to teeth. We recommend not brushing until approximately 30 minutes after eating, and while oil pulling isn't quite considered eating, your tooth enamel has still had time to be affected by the oil in your mouth and can be more susceptible to erosion after this practice.
A handful of small-scale studies show that oil pulling with sesame oil for 15 to 20 minutes a day for at least 40 days, alongside routine tooth brushing and flossing, can reduce plaque, bacteria and gingivitis. The studies relied on daily consistency and regular dental care.
Oil pulling is not harmful unless you overdo it or use the wrong oil. While oil pulling removes harmful bacteria from your mouth, overdoing it may disturb the oral microbiome and affect your palate and taste buds. Therefore, it is recommended to do it once a day to avoid oil pulling side effects, if any at all.
Swallowing the oil after pulling will not cause you to swallow toxins from your bloodstream, but it can upset your stomach. Make sure to spit it out, never swallow. Oil pulling is not a substitute for brushing and flossing your teeth.
This ancient technique might cause an upset stomach and diarrhea. Gargling and swishing large amounts of dense oils like coconut oil can make you feel nauseous and lead to dizziness. Swallowing these contaminated oils can mess with your stomach resulting in poor digestion (3), (4).
You can opt for oil pulling
It can help you to get rid of any build-up found on the teeth and gums and strengthen your gums. Ta da, you will be able to tighten your loose teeth.
Most dentists recommend using an organic oil, and coconut oil is typically the best choice for its nutritional benefits. "Coconut oil contains vitamins A, D, E, and K, and has natural anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties," Dr. Huang says. "It will help fight plaque and gingivitis."