Anyone that knows me well, knows I've always been obsessed with having a healthy, white smile (I blame my dentist father). Luckily for me, having a dad who practiced dentistry meant I had access to free cleanings, free teeth whitening treatments and of course constant oral hygiene advice.
For as long as I remember, I've been doing my dad's old baking soda and hydrogen peroxide trick to help brighten my smile and keep my gums gingivitis-free. Trust me–it works! But did you know that oil pulling is just as effective? That's right, I checked out an episode of The Doctors that claimed that the coconut oil mouthwash method does it all from whitening teeth, to keeping gums healthy and even detoxifies your body. Who would have thought?
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The coconut oil mouthwash method (also known as oil pulling) is actually an ancient practice that dates back thousands of years and comes from the Ayurvedic medicine tradition. Natural beauty expert Molly Beucher shared with the cast of The Doctors some of the huge health and beauty benefits you can get from swishing coconut oil around in your mouth and it's pretty fascinating. So how do you oil pull exactly? All you have to do it add a tablespoon of raw coconut oil (preferably organic) to some water then gargle or swish for 10 to 15 minutes.
Nutritionist and naturopathic doctor Bruce Fife recommends oil pulling at least once a day. He also stresses that you NOT swallow the oil and instead spit it out, because the swishing contaminates it with harmful toxins and bacteria you're actually trying to eliminate. Still not convinced? Here are a few reasons why you should start oil pulling ASAP!
It whitens teeth: "Coconut oil can actually help prevent against gum disease. It can improve things ranging from bad breath all the way to getting rid of plaque and gingivitis," Beucher said on the The Doctors. Supposedly the natural antibiotic and anti-viral properties found in coconut oil help brighten yellow teeth and cleanse your mouth from bacteria.
It cures strep throat: Coconut oil's bacteria-fighting properties don't just prevent gingivitis, but can also clear up a bad strep throat. "When you put it in your mouth and work it around your teeth and gums, it 'pulls' out bacteria and other debris. It acts much like the motor oil you put in your car engine," Fife told Well Being Journal. "The motor oil picks up dirt and grime. When you drain the oil, it pulls out the dirt and grime with it, leaving the engine relatively clean. Likewise, when we expel harmful substances from our mouths, our teeth and gums work better and last longer."
It clears acne: Fife claims that oil pulling can also clear up skin problems like acne, blemishes or rashes because you're removing toxins that might normally leak from your mouth into your bloodstream. "Removing bacteria and toxins from the body eliminates a great deal of stress that results in improved energy levels," he said.
It cures headaches: The elimination of bacteria detoxes your body removing bacteria that is normally responsible for headaches or other painful conditions. What doesn't this thing cure?
It can give you a natural glow: We all know by now that coconut oil can do wonders on your skin. I use it during the wintertime as a natural moisturizer and it hydrates better than any body lotion out there. But apparently the combination of applying this miracle oil topically to your skin AND also gargling with it can leave you with a healthy, glowy complexion. I'm sold!
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