I woke up this AM and decided it was time to try oil pulling. I had picked up a new jar of Coconut Oil yesterday at The Common Crow an awesome natural food store in Gloucester, MA. I wrote a post on some of the benefits of Coconut oil awhile back: read here. But at that time I had no idea what oil pulling was. Over the last year, I’ve heard about it more and more. I wonder, is it just another health fad? I don’t know! This is a great post by Wellness Mama that explains what oil pulling is and benefits of it.

What sparked me to finally try? In 2 different conversations this past week – I noticed some pearly whites…and had to say “your teeth look so white!” And I got the same response (2 different people, 2 different conversations) = “I’ve been doing oil pulling!” Boom. Done. Convinced me to try since I love whitening my teeth but those damn strips huuuurt my teeth and gums, ouch. Could this be a healthier, more comfortable alternative??

In a nutshell, I swished some coconut oil around my mouth this morning – what I’m hoping to get out of it – whiter teeth and fresher breath…oh and, I have 2 crowns that always bother me…hoping it helps clean around those babies. 

new jar of Coconut Oil. Ready to be swished

My initial reaction when I put it in my mouth…a big glob of room temp coconut oil – “oh gross…gross…so thick.” But then I started swishing it around and realized it tastes faintly like coconut and nothing else- shocking, I know. I love the taste of coconut, that helps. The texture is thick but as you swish it around it starts to thin out. I tried to do it for the recommended 15-20 mins…they say it’s good to do it in the shower – 2 birds, 1 stone! But I did it while watching a movie…and I only lasted about 10 mins. Which I was fine with for my first time. My jaw actually got tired. Clearly, I need to relax my swishing a bit.

I brushed my teeth after, as recommended to remove any lingering bacteria. My mouth feels clean. No after-taste or oily feeling on my teeth.

I’ll check back in a week or so to let you know what I think. And let you know if there are any noticeable differences. 

Have you tried oil pulling??