oil pulling - I'm swallowing!

[DunderMifflin]

I've been oil pulling for a few weeks and my teeth and mouth definitely feel nicer - I haven't been able to find a good way of disposing of the oil so I've decided to swallow. Apart from the ick factor, its only what's already been in my mouth and coconut oil must be nutritious.

Also I can trick myself into thinking I've had a bounty in the morning!

If I develop aggressive thrush, carbuncles or balloon in weight, I'll report back.

They are ok but messy. You can't beat using tepes/floss really - cheaper and more effective

palemistyveil You'd have to have more than a mouthful for it to take a laxative effect.

Ah ok! Thank you.

I'm still trying to work out why it would be harmful to swallow, though. Surely you're swallowing 'crap' all the time from your saliva?

I think it is because people to do it to get rid of the 'crap' so swallowing would defeat the object?

High five no Armani High five! RDN here just ID clean fgs!

Op dont you use bin liners in your bin? Also- if it is coconut oil it will harden on the tissue after a few minutes so wont be soggy

Or spit on a tissue and flush down the toilet.

How do you do it? Is it an alternative to mouthwash?

I save empty jars, bottles etc to use as oil spitoons :( How grim/sad is that. I have no idea why teeth should look whiter from coconut oil but mine do. Does anyone find that if they stop doing it for a day or two though, their teeth don't look white anymore?

I couldn't swallow it. It would make me want to hurl - all warm and been hanging about in your mouth for 20 mins.

I don't think I could swallow it either actually.

I'm seriously tempted to try this now (but will still floss)

Thanks, valiumhead!

I have no idea why teeth should look whiter from coconut oil but mine do. Does anyone find that if they stop doing it for a day or two though, their teeth don't look white anymore?

Placebo effect, only bleaching your teeth can make them whiter

Just not true about the placebo effect.

Initially thought this oil-pulling business was a load of mumbo jumbo, but as I had some coconut oil in the house, I thought I'd try it anyway. (That's what happens when you lurk on MN and live on your own).

Amazing. Teeth were definitely whiter within a few days. I think the fat in the coconut oil dissolves water-resistant stains such as the tannins in tea, much like how mugs get stained with tea and need a good soak with Fairy - which contains oil.

I can't explain why my mouth also feels cleaner, but it does. There's certainly - TMI klaxon - less scurf on my tongue upon waking up each morning . I can't tell for certain but my breath is fresher, too. My mouth doesn't have that accrid taste that it sometimes did after coffee or curry.

I oil pull, spit (doesn't swallowing make you gag, OP?), then floss, then brush with an electric toothbrush, then gargle with water. My teeth have never looked better. My hygienist appointments have gone from 4 months to 6 months.

Untrue about placebo effect, my mum's dentist couldn't believe how much whiter my mum's teeth were, we took before and after pics!

Also not true about only bleaching making your teeth whiter. Abrasive toothpastes can as well.

No they take stains off, the only way to alter the colour of the teeth is with bleach

all this flossing talk. oil pulling isn't meant to replace flossing.

It is also good for soothing ulcers.

Well, it does alter the colour of your teeth if your teeth are stained brown and after oil pulling they are white. I'd say that's altering.

Did any of you see the programme on C4 a few weeks ago with Dr. Pixie.

They did a trial with half the people using coconut oil and the other half swished water.
No difference in results.
It's just the swishing around that makes a teeny difference. The coconut oil wasn't making any difference, the action was.

I've just bought some!

I'll use it for my hair (conditioner) and face instead, if this turns out to be a case of Emperor's New Clothes

why do people choose unproven "eastern remedies" over evidence based, mainstream techniques?

Jesus. And it takes 20 minutes. You could brush, floss, ID brush and then use mouthwash in less than half the time. And once you get perio disease from not cleaning properly you'll be able to give your dentures a quick scrub in no time at all.

Ah bonzo I recognise you as a fellow dentist :)

Another dentist here. What a complete load of bollocks these oil pullers spout. FFS. Spend half the time you do swilling this "toxin reducing oil" around your mouth just brushing and flossing. Get a fucking grip ladies.

Have I missed something? Has anyone suggested oil pulling instead of brushing flossing etc?