It is human nature to look for a quick fix or the next big thing in home care. Nonetheless, the best ways to accomplish a personal goal are the time-tested practices that, in oral health, are literally right under your nose. Oil pulling is one method of whitening teeth and enhancing one's mouth health, but it is not necessarily the best solution.
First of all, what is oil pulling?
Swishing with Oil
Oil pulling, involves swishing a tablespoon of edible oil (coconut, olive, sesame or the like) throughout the mouth for usually one to five minutes, but for up to as long as 20 minutes depending on the case. The method has supposedly been practiced for centuries in southern Asia and India.
Has It Worked?
One study reported by Pubmed suggests 20 adolescent boys who incorporated sesame oil pulling showed a reduction in plaque and streptococcus mutans, which is the bacteria believed to cause tooth decay. In 2013, a larger study that also used sesame oil concluded that oil pulling significantly lowered levels of gingivitis and plaque, respectively. Using coconut oil instead of sesame is also believed to fend off bacteria, viruses and yeasts due to the lauric acid in the oil.