Coconut oil pulling for your teeth and gums

There are lots of different alternative health practices out there, I've tried a number of them over the past 6 months or so and there is one that I have begun to practice on a daily basis and seems to be doing me some good.

Oil pulling is something you can add easily to your dental hygiene routine. It is the practice of swishing oil around in your mouth 'pulling' the oil through your teeth and supposedly drawing out toxins.

I am not sure whether it really is able draw out toxins or to cure cavities but I can tell you that after oil pulling on a daily basis for 3 months I have noticed these effects:

- My teeth are whiter.
- My gums, particularly around sensitive teeth, are less inflamed.
- The brown stains on the inside of my bottom front teeth are gone.

Coconut oil is a natural antibacterial and this may be the reason for these effects.

Perhaps the action of swishing the oil so intensely can get it into places that flossing and brushing can't reach and, to my mind, it is preferable to mouthwash.

This is my routine in the morning;
- brush with fluoride-free toothpaste
- scoop out 2 teaspoons of coconut oil
- chew the oil until it is soft
- swish it around in my mouth for 15-20 minutes trying to pull the oil through my teeth with some force.
- spit it into the garbage (not down the sink, it will clog the pipes)

I use Spiral Brand Virgin/Expeller pressed organic coconut oil. A 300g jar is available from Woolworths for $6.99.