Anyone who has done a little bit of research into natural remedies will probably be familiar with the term oil pulling. Oil pulling refers to personal dental care that involves swishing edible oil around your mouth to care for and whiten your teeth.
The oil of choice is usually coconut oil when it comes to oil pulling. This is because coconut oil is widely believed to be beneficial to gums, removes plaques, and whitens teeth. But just how does coconut oil whiten teeth? We’ve done the research and answered that question for you. But first, let us review the history of oil pulling and teeth whitening with coconut oil.
History of Coconut Oil in Teeth Whitening
The use of coconut oil in teeth whitening dentists dates as far back as the origin of oil pulling about 2,500 years ago in Indian traditional medicine. Oil pulling was based on the concept of Ayurveda which uses oil to oil all tissues in the human body.
Some studies have shown that there might be benefits in oil pulling. Individuals who take part in oil pulling usually swish coconut oil in their mouths for about 20 minutes. However, because some individuals become nauseous while continually swishing oil in their mouths, they can swish for about 5 minutes. Some of the benefits include anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory advantages in dental health.
The standard amount of oil used in oral oil pulling is between a tablespoon and a teaspoon of oil. It is also possible to use less than the recommended amount for oil pulling.
What is Oil Pulling?
Oil pulling is the practice of cleaning the oral cavity with lipids such as sesame or coconut oil. The goal is to reduce the amount of bacteria in the mouth. The majority of the organisms that live there have a single cell structure. Fats cling to them, making bacteria easier to flush out.
Because it contains lauric acid, coconut oil is thought to be the best option for coconut oil pulling teeth. This is a natural antimicrobial agent that provides users with the quickest results. It can also slow down the formation of tooth decay.
How Does Coconut Oil Whiten Teeth?
There have been lots of claims that coconut oil whitens teeth. Even teeth whitening dentists have attested that coconut oil reduces plaque formation, chances of developing gingivitis, and even halitosis or bad breath.
How does coconut oil whiten your teeth, coconut oil whitens teeth by using its proponents, which are made up of colonized bacteria. These bacteria have fatty membranes that are affiliated with plaque and bind to them. This causes the removal of plaque from the surface of the teeth. By removing plaque, coconut oil reduces plaque on the teeth and whitens the teeth.
What makes coconut oil for teeth whitening more enticing is that there is little to no evidence showing any side effects of swishing coconut oil for teeth whitening. This makes it safe for you to try out on your own without the need for professional teeth whitening.
However, before beginning teeth whitening treatments with coconut oil, note that several factors can impede the effect of coconut oil in whitening your teeth. Such factors include:
- The amount of coffee you drink
- If you drink wine or not: Wine is well-known for staining teeth
Advantages of Using Coconut Oil To Whiten Teeth
Some of the coconut oil pulling benefits to whiten teeth include:
- Inexpensive, especially when compared to other teeth whitening remedies
- Helps soothe a dry throat
- Aids healing of dry and chapped lips
- Helps eliminate bad breath
- Easy to use and does not foam in the mouth
- Natural and does not contain any harmful chemicals
- Has anti-inflammatory properties
- Aids the healing of bleeding gums
How To Use Coconut Oil To Whiten Teeth
Follow the steps below to whiten your teeth with coconut oil:
- Take a teaspoon of coconut oil
- Place oil in your mouth and allow it to liquefy
- You can then begin swishing. Swishing can be done from as little as 5 minutes to 20 minutes. When swishing, ensure that the coconut oil touches every area of your mouth. You should not gargle on the oil.
- After swishing, spit out the oil into your trash. Spitting oil into your sink may cause clogging of your sink.
- You can rinse out your mouth with water. This is done if you want to get the taste of oil out of your mouth.
- You could also simply apply coconut oil to your toothbrush and brush your teeth normally.
There are a lot of professional teeth whitening services available today. However, some of these methods might be expensive. Swishing coconut oil is a teeth whitening solution that is inexpensive and can be done without visiting a Glenview Dentist. If you would like to learn more about professional teeth whitening services, get in touch with our Teeth Whitening Dentist Glenview, IL or schedule an appointment, call(847) 892-4696orcontact usonline.
FAQs
By removing plaque, coconut oil reduces plaque on the teeth and whitens the teeth. What makes coconut oil for teeth whitening more enticing is that there is little to no evidence showing any side effects of swishing coconut oil for teeth whitening.
How does coconut oil whiten your teeth? ›
The idea is that as you swish and pull the oil through your mouth, it removes bacteria that can lead to plaque and gingivitis. Some claim that the practice also results in whiter teeth and decreased sensitivity.
How long does coconut oil take to work on teeth? ›
Streptococcus mutans is one of the main bacteria in your mouth and a key player in plaque buildup and tooth decay. One 2016 study in 60 adults showed that oil pulling with coconut oil for 10 minutes daily significantly reduced the number of S. mutans in saliva in as little as 2 weeks, compared to distilled water.
Does brushing your teeth with coconut oil work? ›
By fighting the plaque buildup that can form on your teeth and lead to gum irritation and inflammation, coconut oil can help prevent and fight gum disease. By fighting the streptococcus mutans and lactobacillus bacteria, coconut oil can help prevent tooth decay just as effectively as many mouth rinses.
Does coconut oil pulling actually work? ›
One study noted that oil pulling with coconut oil was as effective as chlorhexidine, a prescription mouthwash, in the reduction of Streptococcus mutans, the bacteria believed to cause tooth decay.
How does coconut oil get rid of yellow teeth? ›
By removing plaque, coconut oil reduces plaque on the teeth and whitens the teeth. What makes coconut oil for teeth whitening more enticing is that there is little to no evidence showing any side effects of swishing coconut oil for teeth whitening.
How to get white teeth in 1 day with coconut oil? ›
Place the oil in your mouth and allow it to sit on your tongue until it liquefies. Now, start swishing it in your mouth for anywhere from five to 20 minutes. You will want to swish it around good, ensuring it touches all areas of your mouth, including your gums and teeth. Do not gargle the oil!
Can I use coconut oil on my teeth everyday? ›
Coconut oil is inexpensive and can be found at low pricing at many stores within our local community. Using coconut oil as part of a daily oral care regimen isn't just recommend for health reasons; it can also improve the aesthetics of teeth as well.
Does oil pulling actually whiten teeth? ›
Oil pulling involves swishing oil around in your mouth for a period of time, with the idea that it removes toxins and bacteria. However, there's no conclusive evidence that it effectively removes yellow stains from teeth.
Should you leave coconut oil on your teeth? ›
Some regular users of this oral health technique swish the oil for as long as 20 minutes. The chemistry of the coconut oil essentially “pulls” microbes and plaque from your teeth and gums as you swish, hence the term “oil pulling.” After you have finished, rinse your mouth well with water, and brush as usual.
Dentist Concerns About Oil Pulling
Because sufficient evidence of the effectiveness of oil pulling is lacking, dental professionals recommend exercising caution when it comes to this practice. Although it isn't particularly harmful, some people may experience some side effects.
Do you rinse teeth after coconut oil pulling? ›
After spitting a little, keep swishing. When you're done, spit the oil into the trash. It will look frothy and white after so long being swished around. Brush your teeth and rinse your mouth well to remove any remaining toxins or oil from your mouth.
How can I naturally whiten my teeth? ›
Seven Ways to Naturally Whiten Teeth
- Eat Strawberries. One of the simplest ways to naturally whiten your teeth is just by eating strawberries. ...
- Eat Plenty of Fruits and Vegetables. ...
- Brush After You Eat or Drink. ...
- Rinse with Apple Cider Vinegar. ...
- Apply Coconut Oil. ...
- Brush Your Tongue. ...
- Use Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide.
Some claim coconut oil offers benefits like healthier gums, plaque removal, and even whiter teeth. But before you make oil pulling part of your morning routine, it's important to ask, “Does coconut oil really whiten teeth?” It turns out that oil probably won't offer you significant oral benefits.
Can oil pulling reverse cavities? ›
Oil pulling can help prevent cavities by removing harmful bacteria, and it may stop cavities from getting worse. However, it takes minerals like fluoride, hydroxyapatite, calcium, and phosphorus to reverse cavities by remineralizing your teeth — and only if you catch the cavities early enough.
Does coconut oil heal gums? ›
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.
Should I use coconut oil on my teeth everyday? ›
Using coconut oil as part of a daily oral care regimen isn't just recommend for health reasons; it can also improve the aesthetics of teeth as well. Patients have reported that they've experienced significantly whiter teeth almost instantly after use.
Do baking soda and coconut oil whiten teeth? ›
It's widely known that baking soda is a mild abrasive and can work to gently whiten your teeth over time. A lot of tooth pastes already have this common ingredient in them! Mix a teaspoon of baking soda with a teaspoon of coconut oil and you have yourself a cheap option for whitening your teeth.
Do you brush your teeth before or after oil pulling? ›
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.
What whitens teeth the best? ›
Hydrogen and carbamide peroxides are the gold standard of at-home teeth whitening. If you're looking to go a chemical-free route, coconut oil won't cause any sensitivity, according to Dr. Sharon Huang, the founder of Les Belles NYC.
