When it comes to beauty and health, many people will try all sorts of things. Coconut oil pulling is the latest fad that involves swishing a tablespoon of coconut oil in the mouth for twenty minutes. While it is seeing growing popularity at the moment, this is actually an ancient therapy that dates back 2,000+ years.

Oil pulling is a type of Ayurvedic medicine, a traditional Indian therapy, in which oil is used in the mouth to treat various maladies. Oil pulling is scientifically proven to help fight gingivitis, clear plaque from the teeth, as well as pull microorganisms from the mouth that cause bad breath. The science works based on the fact that most microorganisms are single-cell organisms that are covered with a fatty membrane. When the cells come into contact with oil, they naturally adhere to each other.

When you use coconut oil pulling, you can help pull the unwanted microorganisms from the mouth. Plaque is laden with harmful bacteria that attack the teeth and cause cavities, gum disease, decay, and infection. Coconut oil contains lauric acid, which is well-known for its anti-microbial agents, to kill microorganisms and inhibit their growth.

Coconut oil pulling is not a replacement for brushing and flossing your teeth. It is an added step that naturally works to benefit the mouth. Coconut oil pulling should be done before you brush your teeth. You simply use about a tablespoon of organic liquefied coconut oil (coconut oil hardens in cooler temperatures), and swish it in your mouth for up to twenty minutes. If twenty minutes is too long on your jaw muscles, you can start with just five minutes and still begin to gain benefits. Do not swallow the coconut oil or spit it down the pipes; rather spit it out in a trash can. Once you are finished with your oil pulling, brush your teeth to remove the oil from your mouth. Many people choose to rinse their mouths with salt water before they brush to help remove the oily residue, but this added step is not necessary; it is just personal preference.

At Gold Hill Dentistry, we want all of our patients to desire optimal oral health. Coconut oil pulling is a traditional and homeopathic type of oral care that is a great supplemental therapy. Combined with regular flossing, brushing, and dental visits, you can achieve and maintain a beautiful smile.