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?

[OrnamentalAsAnything]

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

[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.

[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!

[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]

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

[Stratter5]

Coo thanks MrsM

[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?

[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.