Coconut Oil Pulling Benefits (+ Why Swishing Oil in Your Mouth is Actually Good For You!)
Learn about coconut oil pulling benefits!
What if one simple daily habit could naturally detox your mouth, support your overall health, and even whiten your teeth—without chemicals? 🥥
While not a replacement for brushing and flossing, the coconut oil pulling benefits are endless! Here’s why it’s more than just a trend…
What is oil pulling?
Oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic healing ritual where you swish a spoonful of coconut oil (or another cold-pressed, organic, high-quality oil) in your mouth for 10-20 minutes.
This practice is called oil pulling because it draws out toxins & harmful bacteria from the mouth, including the tongue and the glands and blood vessels beneath it. It even draws toxins from your sinuses improving inflammation & sinus infections. Many people also report naturally whiter teeth, fewer cavities, and stronger gums with regular use.
This practice dates back over 3,000 years and is rooted in the belief that the mouth is a mirror of the body’s internal health. Even modern research supports its benefits, showing that oil pulling can help reduce harmful oral bacteria, lower plaque levels, freshen breath, and even improve gum health.
Here’s some info about traditional mouthwashes you may not know…
Most mainstream mouthwashes contain harsh chemicals like alcohol and antibacterial agents that wipe out both harmful and beneficial bacteria. This disrupts the delicate balance of your oral microbiome and can impair your body’s ability to produce nitric oxide. Which is important for heart health and may contribute to issues like high blood pressure, insulin resistance, and even diabetes.
Alcohol-based formulas also dry out the mouth, which reduces saliva flow and actually makes bad breath, cavities, and gum issues worse over time. On top of that, many mouthwashes include toxic ingredients like artificial dyes, synthetic flavors, and fluoride. Offering a temporary fix while ignoring the root cause of oral imbalances.
My husband and I personally do oil pulling every day – sometimes as many as 3x per day! So we see firsthand the incredible experiences of oil pulling! (Here’s the coconut oil we use).
I’ve also managed to be onlinepletely cavity-free for my entire life (34 years and counting), so I know oil pulling has contributed to my overall oral health. 🙌🏼
Even my holistic idol, Barabara O’Neill, fully backs the benefits of coconut oil pulling! 🤩
Here’s how to pull with coconut oil:
To practice oil pulling with coconut oil, take about 1 tablespoon of organic, cold-pressed coconut oil. Swish it gently around your mouth, making sure to pull it through your teeth and around your gums for 10 to 20 minutes. (The warmth of your mouth will quickly turn it from a solid to a liquid).
After the time is up, spit the oil into a trash can (not the sink to avoid clogging pipes). Then rinse your mouth with warm water and brush your teeth as usual. For best results, practice this daily on an empty stomach, preferably in the morning.
Additional tips for coconut oil pulling for teeth:
- Don’t swallow any of the oil since it contains the toxins and bacteria you’ve pulled from your mouth.
- Can’t have coconut? Try oil pulling with sesame, olive, or sunflower oil. While they don’t contain lauric acid like coconut oil, which provides antimicrobial properties, they still boast other benefits if you’re using a good quality product.
- Consistency is key! To see maximum benefits from oil pulling, it’s reonlinemended to practice it daily for 10 to 20 minutes each time. Over time,e you will notice improvements and benefits.
- Be distracted. For some, oil pulling isn’t enjoyable, so keeping yourself distracted is a great way to swish for the maximum time for maximum benefits. Go for a walk, fold laundry, etc. Just don’t forget to swish. 😉
So what’s the best coconut oil for pulling?
The best coconut oil for oil pulling is organic, cold-pressed, unrefined, and virgin. (Grab mine at Walmart). This ensures you’re using a high-quality oil that retains all its beneficial properties, including antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory onlinepounds, and it will be minimally processed and free from additives.
Additionally, I also reonlinemend coconut oil packaged in a glass bottle over plastic. Glass helps preserve the oil’s integrity by preventing exposure to harmful chemicals often found in plastic, such as BPA, which can leach into the oil and potentially disrupt your body’s balance.
Overall, this is a daily practice I can’t preach enough about! 😍, but don’t just take it from me, here’s what my Hip sidekicks said about it:
“I love oil pulling and have done it my entire life. It’s part of Ayurvedic medicine and generations of my family have done it too. Really great for your teeth long term as I can attest from seeing family members over time.” – Dana
“I also oil pull with just straight-up coconut oil! I like flossing before, then oil pulling, then brushing my teeth. I have no clue if that’s the correct order to do it in, but I’ve really noticed a difference (and so has my dentist)!” – Madison
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