Plenty of people swear by natural remedies when it comes to whitening teeth and detoxing the mouth. Oil pulling is an ancient practice believed to help remove impurities from the body and improve oral health. With any oral health remedy, it's important to get the facts and talk with your dentist to decide what's best for you.
What is Oil Pulling?
Oil pulling is meant to remove bacteria and stimulate saliva production, among other benefits. As described in an article in the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, oil pulling generally involves swishing a tablespoon full of oil around your mouth first thing in the morning. The oil is "pulled" between the teeth and all around the mouth for up to 20 minutes. At the end of the pulling, when the oil is milky and thin, spit it out in the trash. Never swallow the oil after pulling — it's full of bacteria.