To think teeth 'pulling' with coconut oil is hocus pocus?

[elizadolittlechoc]

I've just spent 20 minutes with my gob full of Waitrose virgin coconut oil because I read that it has fantastic properties for oral hygiene and whitens your teeth. Admittedly, it is said to take a couple of weeks, but are there any professionals who can confirm?

[elizadolittlechoc]

Thanks everyone. I am an avid brusher/flosser/TPer/ 3 monthly hygienist visits as I am prone to gum disease, so I was only looking for 'value-added' ideas. I actually enjoyed the taste-you aren't supposed to swallow, just spit (that could be another thread!). But I actually felt that my mouth was dirtier after-I thought there must be sugar in it, although don't a lot of mouthwashes have glycerine for smooth feeling? Decided not to continue btw.

[Lancelottie]

D'you think putting the Trench Mouth photo up in the bathroom would
(a) encourage recalcitrant DD to brush her teeth
or
(b) send her screaming from the room never to return?

[Stratter5]

Coo thanks MrsM

[Mrsmorton]

Stratter5 you're ace. I love seeing you on a thread.

[Stratter5]

Lots of things can make your teeth appear whiter. Strawberries, for starters. Or maybe the swooshing (which is just as effective with water) encourages blood flow to the gums, making them slightly redder, and your teeth appear whiter in contrast.

[Mrsmorton]

Yes, it's very painful. The risk factors are poor hygiene, smoking, poor diet and stress. Lots of WW1&2 soldiers got it, (unsurprisingly) hence trench mouth.

It's relatively rare these days in the general population and its treated with a short course of antibiotics and a trip to the hygienist plus some home care advice.

The bits of gum in between the teeth (papillae) never grow back so it leaves a fairly characteristic appearance forever!

[KoalaDownUnder]

People go on about it making your teeth look whiter, though. Removing plaque doesn't whiten your teeth. I have mine cleaned by a dentist every six months, and it has no effect on the colour at all, even though they're squeaky-clean.

[OrnamentalAsAnything]

Furball - "Microburst technology: Compressed air and high speed water droplets powerfully but gently clean deep between teeth"

[Furball]

Can I ask where is the air in the air flosser - doesn't it use water?

[SurlyCue]

Reading this thread with interest. Look at the add on the top of my screen!

[OrnamentalAsAnything]

Dentist people, do you recommend these: www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00DBCHBUG/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21?

[pinkiekiss]

To those who claim it's rubbish why don't you try it first it might surprise you. It does make your teeth feel much cleaner I always follow it brushing and flossing even though my teeth feel so clean with absolutely no plaque on them every morning

[PurpleDaisies]

Apparently the oil dissolves the plaque.

Key word there is apparently. Where did you read this? I highly doubt it is a reputable scientific source.

The mechanical action of swishing anything around your mouth will dislodge plaque. Oil is not as good as mouthwash, and a darn sight more disgusting. Why would you bother when we have actual proper dental hygiene products available in every supermarket?

[OrnamentalAsAnything]

MrsMorton, that pic is revolting! Is it as painful as it looks?

[meyesmyeyes]

Whether it works or not, never ever spit it out in the sink (or shower).
It can badly block the pipes.
It solidifies as it goes down.

Spit it out into some tissue instead and put it in the bin.

[FoulsomeAndMaggotwise]

Argh!! If you're at all squeamish do not google image "trench mouth".

[Destinysdaughter]

Apparently the oil dissolves the plaque. I tried it for a while, my teeth did feel very clean afterwards!

[Stratter5]

Cripes, that looks painful MrsM, is that purely down to lack of care?

[KoalaDownUnder]

To those people who swear they can see their teeth getting whiter: what's the science behind it, then? How exactly is coconut oil pulling the stains out of your teeth?

[Applecheeks]

Uhplistrailer I use an air flosser, my teeth are pretty close together and I find flossing tricky
www.boots.com/en/Philips-Sonicare-AirFloss-Pink-HX8222/02-Rechargeable-Power-Flosser_1526939/?cm_mmc=pla--google--PLAs-_-Boots+Shopping+-+Category+-+Electrical+Beauty

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Washing with a flannel and oil pulling aren't new things at all.

[Mrsmorton]

Stinks as well...

[cantbelievemyeyes]

I get face ache after 30 secs of mouthwash swilling. 20 minutes swilling of anything sounds agony.

[ginghambunny]

Seems a bit emperors new clothes to me along with triple hot flannel cleansing

[Lancelottie]

Hygienist told me to stop using Teepee brushes (and be very gentle with ordinary brushes) as i was causing enamel erosion at the base of my teeth/gums. I can see the appeal of a little gentle swishing instead!