For those interested in organic products and natural
remedies, it’s likely you’ve heard about a practice called “oil pulling.” For
those who haven’t heard of this process, oil pulling involves using roughly one
teaspoon of edible oil (typically coconut oil) and then swishing it around in
the mouth, as if using mouthwash, as a method of caring for the teeth.
Some have claimed that using coconut oil in this way offers
various benefits, such as plaque removal, healthier gums, and even brighter,
whiter teeth. However, before you start adding oil pulling to your daily
routine because of its alleged teeth-whitening capabilities, oil pulling isn’t
likely to offer significant benefits to your oral health, and here is why.
Origins of Oil
Pulling
Oil pulling is a several hundred-year-old practice that
originates from Indian and South Asian medicine, as per a study in the Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine
,
with these cultures considering oil to be healthy for bodily tissue. The idea
behind it is that the oil swishes and pulls through the mouth, and in the
process, it removes bacteria that may result in gingivitis and plaque. Some
have claimed the practice leads to decreased sensitivity and whiter teeth.
Because more people are seeking out natural remedies to improve
their health, oil pulling often pops up in oral hygiene-related subjects.
Natural living fans have enthusiastically taken up oil pulling as a daily
practice, with some trying it for 30 minutes per day to reap the alleged
benefits.
ADA’s Stance
To help answer the question of whether or not coconut oil
whitens teeth, the American Dental Association (ADA) has stated there isn’t
enough scientific proof to suggest that oil pulling benefits oral health.
Without reliable testing and research, the ADA currently cannot recommend oil
pulling. At best, the practice is unproductive. At worst, the practice could
lead to upset stomach or diarrhea. On an additional note, it’s reported by many
that coconut oil, when swished around in the mouth, tastes remarkably bad.
Other Solutions
If you’re trying to whiten your teeth,
rather than shell out money for coconut oil, just head to your local drugstore
and purchase ADA-approved whitening products. Brushing your teeth with certain
toothpastes, such as those with hydrogen peroxide, may lead to teeth whitening
within a week.
If you're interested instant whitening, there are always
professional methods available through your dentist. Oil pulling may have its
own popularity among some circles, but its oral health and whitening benefits
remain untested and are unlikely to compete with other, properly researched
methods. If you want whiter teeth, rely on ingredients and products with proven
success rates.
Before starting any oral care regimen, you should check with
your dentist. If you are avoiding the dentist because you don’t have insurance
or have exhausted your benefits, consider signing up for our New Hampshire
discount dental plan
for individuals, families, and small business owners. For more
information and to find out how you can save as much as 20 percent off your
dental bills, click here.
Copyright: serezniy
/ 123RF Stock Photo
