Can Coconut Oil Brighten Teeth?

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.

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