To promote a healthy smile and good hygiene, dentists recommend you brush your teeth twice a day and floss regularly. But some people are willing to try other trendy hacks and tricks to maintain their pearly whites. The internet is full of DIY tooth-whitening guides, charcoal toothpaste ads and “tooth hacks” like oil pulling.
Oil pulling involves swishing a tablespoon of edible oil, most commonly coconut oil, in your mouth before breakfast for five to 10 minutes, or as long as 20. The idea is that you “pull” bacteria out of your mouth, making your teeth whiter while promoting better dental health in general. Though the practice recently went viral, it dates back 4,000 years to ancient India, where it was used as a dental care practice to remove bacteria.
Does oil pulling work, or is it another toothy fad that’ll pass? After doing some research and speaking with professionals in the oral care industry, I found the right (and wrong) way to oil pull, and helpful advice on how to keep your teeth clean.
Looking for more dental care advice? Learn how to properly use your electric toothbrush and where you should store your toothbrush (hint: away from your toilet).
How to safely practice oil pulling
If you’re going to try oil pulling, here’s the safest and most beneficial way to do it.
Step-by-step guide to oil pulling
- Swish a tablespoon of sesame oil in your mouth for 15 to 20 minutes on an empty stomach before breakfast. (Children 5 or younger should swish only a teaspoon of oil.)
- Sit in a chair while you swish with your chin up for the best results.
- By the end, the oil should be thin and white, like milk. Spit the oil into the trash can when done.
- Rinse your mouth after with warm saline water or regular tap water.
- Move on to regular dental hygiene practices, including brushing and flossing.
5 oil pulling rules
- Do not replace brushing your teeth with oil pulling. Brush twice a day and floss.
- Do not swallow the oil, as it contains bad bacteria and toxins.
- Spit the oil in a trashcan to avoid clogging your sink.
- Oil pulling can be practiced three times a day before meals.
- Practice consistently for 40 or more days for best results.
The research on oil pulling
There is research that backs the legitimacy of oil pulling, but it’s limited.
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.
One study involved 60 participants aged 16 to 18 with gingivitis who practiced oil pulling every day alongside brushing and flossing. There was steady improvement after day seven, and a 50% decrease in plaque formation and plaque induced gingivitis after four weeks.
In a separate study, researchers…
