Oil pulling has been carried out for thousands of years in traditional Ayurvedic medicine.

The technique involves taking an edible oil (like coconut oil) and swishing it around your mouth for 10-20 minutes. The theory behind this practice is that excessive bacteria in your mouth will stick to the fat in the oil, so you can spit it out. Some people use this technique as part of a regular dental hygiene practice (2-3 times a week), and they've claimed it leads to fresher breath, less cavities, and whiter teeth.                                                                                                   

How To Do a Coconut Oil Pull at Home

Try this technique first thing in the morning, before you eat or drink anything. Water is okay!      

Melt 1 tsp of organic virgin coconut oil

Add 1-2 drops of organic peppermint essential oil

Swish around your mouth for a minimum of 10 minutes

Spit out the oil, and rinse your mouth with water to get rid of any residue

When I gave the coconut pull a try, I found it left my teeth feeling smoother and my mouth feeling fresh all day. In order to achieve the greater benefits, I will have to experiment doing oil pulls more regularly.

Coconut oil is a great choice for oil pulling as it contains a significant amount of lauric acid—a type of medium-chain fatty acid with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Here’s to another win for coconut oil!

Deanna portrait photo credit: Wilson Lau