OIL PULLING

Oh, I hate to seem judgmental, but even the thought of this makes me gag. I'll use my toothbrush, thanks though. I'm literally getting little chill bumps thinking about it.

That is exactly what impedes progress and causes more obesity, gagging at the thought of something different. I suppose you gag at the thought of getting rid of your car too? When you sit strapped inside your tin box and light gasoline you give me chills just thinking about it and I, too, want to gag.

What? :laugh:

Are you comparing swishing oil around your mouth for 20 minutes to selling your car? Perhaps I'm just tired, but I can't see the comparison here.

The idea of this makes me feel a little sick; I wouldn't swish mouthwash for 20 minutes, let alone oil. if you want to do this in addition to normal brushing then fair enough, but to substitute normal and proven mouth care for this is quite frankly crazy, in my opinion. I'd be more worried about the future health of my teeth than the possibility of a few extra calories.

Any coconut oil you swallow is good for you and calories should not be an issue. I have been pulling nearly a year and I purposely swallow a bit while it is still fresh because it is so healthy. Not all calories are alike; some are so good for you that you don't want to miss them.

This is honestly the first time I'm hearing of oil pulling, and I have a question for you: Other than the benefits of swallowing some of the coconut oil, what health benefits are you seeing from oil pulling?

From the OP it seems mostly dental/oral, but are you seeing other benefits as well (as suggested in the article posted)?

Just curious!

Haha! People are really getting a kick out of this I suppose. Coconut oil basically deep cleans, whitens and strengthens your teeth. And yes you can completely substitute it for toothpaste. Which is actually better for you. Did you know the same amount of fluoride is in 8 oz of water as is the same amount of fluoride in toothpaste that if swallowed you're supposed to call poison control?

What? Are you saying that if I drink 8 oz of water I should call poison control? Surely I just need more coffee. So much herp de derp derp in this thread.

Had to weigh in on this: I worked in dentistry about 6 years - so that is my "expertise". First off - Fluoride. There are different kinds of fluoride Sodium Fluoride, found in toothpaste, mouthwash, etc will make you sick if you swallow too much. Calcium Fluoride, found in treated water will not make you sick if ingested. So your "factoid" about the amount of fluoride in water and poison control is missing key information. Second - the effectiveness of oil pulling. Putting anything viscous in your mouth will collect small amounts of debris and material that causes acid erosion and cavities, but not as efficiently as toothpaste and floss. Claims about strengthening teeth are false, the extra work might actually do some damage to the periodontal ligament that holds your teeth in, claims about pulling out "toxins" are false, claims that it is "better" than toothpaste are false. As far as the fellow who went to the dentist and is now convinced - what is your dental history? Did you have lots of problems before and now you don't have those problems? My assumption is probably not. People have different levels of a handful of bacteria types in their mouths naturally - some folks are prone to cavities and some folks are prone to tartar build up. The second group of folks can be a bit more lackadaisical about oral hygiene with fewer consequences. So at the end of the day, why not just brush and floss? It is cheaper, works faster, and has the added benefit of topical fluoride (yes, will make you sick if you swallow it, but you aren't an infant, I think you can handle it), that shrinks the pores of your teeth and makes them more impervious to bacterial infection and acid erosion (ie cavities). And for the people that are all "HA! it IS Toxic!!!" we use lots of things that would be toxic if ingested (sunscreen, soap, alcohol, which makes you feel funny because it is poison, etc), so it's not like this is the only product on the market that you should avoid swallowing.

*Note - I worked in dentistry, but I am not a dentist. Do not construe my comment as advice, merely informed opinion.

Had to weigh in on this: I worked in dentistry about 6 years - so that is my "expertise". First off - Fluoride. There are different kinds of fluoride Sodium Fluoride, found in toothpaste, mouthwash, etc will make you sick if you swallow too much. Calcium Fluoride, found in treated water will not make you sick if ingested. So your "factoid" about the amount of fluoride in water and poison control is missing key information. Second - the effectiveness of oil pulling. Putting anything viscous in your mouth will collect small amounts of debris and material that causes acid erosion and cavities, but not as efficiently as toothpaste and floss. Claims about strengthening teeth are false, the extra work might actually do some damage to the periodontal ligament that holds your teeth in, claims about pulling out "toxins" are false, claims that it is "better" than toothpaste are false. As far as the fellow who went to the dentist and is now convinced - what is your dental history? Did you have lots of problems before and now you don't have those problems? My assumption is probably not. People have different levels of a handful of bacteria types in their mouths naturally - some folks are prone to cavities and some folks are prone to tartar build up. The second group of folks can be a bit more lackadaisical about oral hygiene with fewer consequences. So at the end of the day, why not just brush and floss? It is cheaper, works faster, and has the added benefit of topical fluoride (yes, will make you sick if you swallow it, but you aren't an infant, I think you can handle it), that shrinks the pores of your teeth and makes them more impervious to bacterial infection and acid erosion (ie cavities). And for the people that are all "HA! it IS Toxic!!!" we use lots of things that would be toxic if ingested (sunscreen, soap, alcohol, which makes you feel funny because it is poison, etc), so it's not like this is the only product on the market that you should avoid swallowing.

*Note - I worked in dentistry, but I am not a dentist. Do not construe my comment as advice, merely informed opinion.

Logic and science have no place here!

Had to weigh in on this: I worked in dentistry about 6 years - so that is my "expertise". First off - Fluoride. There are different kinds of fluoride Sodium Fluoride, found in toothpaste, mouthwash, etc will make you sick if you swallow too much. Calcium Fluoride, found in treated water will not make you sick if ingested. So your "factoid" about the amount of fluoride in water and poison control is missing key information. Second - the effectiveness of oil pulling. Putting anything viscous in your mouth will collect small amounts of debris and material that causes acid erosion and cavities, but not as efficiently as toothpaste and floss. Claims about strengthening teeth are false, the extra work might actually do some damage to the periodontal ligament that holds your teeth in, claims about pulling out "toxins" are false, claims that it is "better" than toothpaste are false. As far as the fellow who went to the dentist and is now convinced - what is your dental history? Did you have lots of problems before and now you don't have those problems? My assumption is probably not. People have different levels of a handful of bacteria types in their mouths naturally - some folks are prone to cavities and some folks are prone to tartar build up. The second group of folks can be a bit more lackadaisical about oral hygiene with fewer consequences. So at the end of the day, why not just brush and floss? It is cheaper, works faster, and has the added benefit of topical fluoride (yes, will make you sick if you swallow it, but you aren't an infant, I think you can handle it), that shrinks the pores of your teeth and makes them more impervious to bacterial infection and acid erosion (ie cavities). And for the people that are all "HA! it IS Toxic!!!" we use lots of things that would be toxic if ingested (sunscreen, soap, alcohol, which makes you feel funny because it is poison, etc), so it's not like this is the only product on the market that you should avoid swallowing.

*Note - I worked in dentistry, but I am not a dentist. Do not construe my comment as advice, merely informed opinion.

^ obviously a shill for toothpaste company


(notsrs, good post)

I don't use regular toothpaste. I use Earthpaste made of clay and essential oils. I've tried oil pulling, but never could make it to 20 minutes of swishing. I know a few people who have healed the beginnings of cavities by changing their diet. I was a student at the dental school, but they do not open their minds to alternative methods. There is no money to be gained by promoting alternative medicines which don't involve buying big name products.

I don't use regular toothpaste. I use Earthpaste made of clay and essential oils. I've tried oil pulling, but never could make it to 20 minutes of swishing. I know a few people who have healed the beginnings of cavities by changing their diet. I was a student at the dental school, but they do not open their minds to alternative methods. There is no money to be gained by promoting alternative medicines which don't involve buying big name products.

Or so the sales pitch goes...

Then anyone with a brain looks, realizes they want $23.99 for 20 oz. of coconut oil as opposed to $4-5 for regular mouthwash...

Tell me again how close minded science is to "alternative methods." Have you ever thought that maybe, just maybe, they dismiss them because they're ineffective scams designed to separate the gullible from their cash?

^^ that.

Oil pulling...sounds like what collects in my undies throughout the day...or is that leakage.

If herp and herp derp are sitting on a log and herp falls off...who is left?

This is the strangest euphemism for *kitten* I've ever heard.

If this is how you get your jollies, great. But personally just thinking about this makes me ill.


Methinks this is probably a fad and will burn out as quick as that ineffective crystal deodorant was. Of course it took people walking around smelly and pit stained for a few weeks to find out that was a joke too.

But to each their own.

Wow, this thread has a little bit of everything! Imaginary toxins - check. Imaginary mouth treatments - check. Imaginary excellent dental visits after no brushing for a year - check. Comparing toothpaste to cars - check?!

Oh yeah - can't forget the TMI regarding undies!

Hey, you forgot the spit vs swallow-check!