Oil pulling

[25I_am_so_wonderfu]

So has anyone tried this? It's basically the act of swishing coconut, olive, sesame seed or sunflower oil around your mouth for 20 minutes. Some of these oils are touted for their anti-microbial and anti-bacterial properties but there are claims on the internet that it cures various ailments. It was apart of ancient Ayurvedic medicine in India. The oil is supposed to remove stuck-on plague film and bacteria from the mouth and in some aspects, is as effective as traditional mouthwash. I've tried it a few times with coconut oil and olive oil. Can't say I felt much from it other than it moisturizing my gums (which is nice since I'm a mouth breather and former smoker so I have exceptionally dry gums). I've also read oral hygiene is linked to heart health, which never hurts.


But has anyone done this with any results so far?

 

[Maya]

^ I haven't, but it seems interesting, do you have a link you can post so we can take a look for more info?

 

[Foreigner]

I've met quite a few people over the years who really swear by this, but I haven't tried it yet simply because I don't like the texture of straight oil in my mouth.

 

[Maya]

^I think I should try this and see how it works for me. I also wonder if it will help with lessening the cavities or prevent from occuring.

 

[p-helix]

I've done this loads of times with olive oil. Yes, I think there are merits to doing it for the anti-bacterial properties of the oils and also just to get properly inbetween the teeth and clean out the plaque with the swishing motion. I have brushed my teeth with olive oil as a substitute for tooth paste too which works quite well.

 

[Maya]

^does it feel uncomfortable with the slidy texture after brushing of the teeth? How long were you using this option and when did the results come into effect?

 

[p-helix]

^does it feel uncomfortable with the slidy texture after brushing of the teeth? How long were you using this option and when did the results come into effect?

Hi Maya, it isn't uncomfortable, no. I tried it when I ran out of toothpaste and had already tried oil pulling a few times. I rationalised it as the oil having anti-bacterial qualities, therefore I can use it when I brush my teeth, although I recommend only brushing the gums quite lightly as there is no real lather. I have done it on many occasions off and on in the last year or so, there were no sensational effects other than my teeth were cleaned. I think by this method you want to eat something soon after brushing, it's a reasonable thing to do if you have nothing better, although brushing gently with just water is better than nothing.

 

[RhythmSpring]

I have a friend who does it for oral health. Coconut oil. Swears by it as well.

 

[Jabberwocky]

^does it feel uncomfortable with the slidy texture after brushing of the teeth? How long were you using this option and when did the results come into effect?

i've never seen any results, it's just something i 'think' helps, and i use coconut oil when doing so. I do it every few months, always&only before whitening my teeth, it's kinda 'step' in the process before the final heavy-brush, before hydrogen-carbomer gel for like 20min ;P
[edit: usually i brush/rinse, then just put ~tbsp coconut oil into my mouth and swish it for a few min, i spit it, rinse w/ several rinses (water, listerine, water etc) then apply my -oxide gel)