With the holistic approach towards oral and dental health care gaining ground, oil pulling is one of the latest trends in the health world today. A lot of patients have been asking, “Is coconut oil pulling recommended by dentists?”
Coconut Oil Pulling is Recommended by Dr. Reese
Dr. Reese, being an Indianapolis holistic dentist, believes in the beneficial health effects coconut oil pulling can do not only to your teeth but to your overall health as well.
There has been a lot of research showing that raw coconut oil is effective in killing bacteria for tooth decay too.
COCONUT OIL PULLING AND STREPTOCOCCUS BACTERIA
Researchers at the Athlone Institute of Technology's Bioscience Research Institute in Ireland set out to test coconut oil's biocidal properties against the bacteria responsible for tooth decay.
Dr. Damien Brady and his research team tested the antibacterial action of coconut oil in its natural state and coconut oil that had been treated with enzymes, in a process similar to digestion.
The oils were tested against strains of Streptococcus bacteria, which are common inhabitants of your mouth. They found that enzyme-modified coconut oil strongly inhibits the growth of most strains of Streptococcus bacteria, including Streptococcus mutans, an acid-producing bacterium that is a major cause of tooth decay. It is thought that the breaking down of the fatty coconut oil by the enzymes turns it into acids, which are toxic to certain bacteria. Enzyme-modified coconut oil was also harmful to the yeast Candida albicans, which can cause thrush. (Source)
COCONUT OIL PULLING AND GINGIVITIS
Another study compared oil pulling and chlorhexidine in adolescents with plaque-induced gingivitis. Both oil pulling and chlorhexidine mouthwash were effective against gingivitis.
COCONUT OIL PULLING AND HALITOSIS (BAD BREATH)
In a third study of 20 adolescents, oil pulling therapy significantly reduced all markers for bad breath and was just as effective as chlorhexidine mouthwash.
An article says this about dentists weighing in on the oil pulling craze:
As dentists have said as they have weighed in on the oil pulling craze, there seem to be no known side effects. One of the advantages to Ayurvedic medicine cited by practitioners is that it commonly has no side effects or adverse reactions in people, as opposed to many of the medicines or remedies of the Western culture. Ayurvedic medicine focuses on removing toxins from the body to promote good health, and uses all-natural substances in the body as remedies instead of anything which includes chemicals. The principle of Ayurveda is that good health of a person will be reached when a person’s body, mind, and spirit are at one with the universe.
Dr. Reese Recommends Skinny Coconut Oil
We recommend a raw, extra-virgin coconut oil like Skinny Coconut Oil because the more pure the coconut oil is, the more toxins it can pull from your mouth during the pulling process. Place 1 full tablespoon of coconut oil into the mouth (if it’s cold, allow the oil to melt) and then push, swirl, and pull the oil between your teeth, around your gums, and allow it to touch every part of your mouth except your throat. Do not gargle the oil as it is now considered toxic and could further infect your throat. Spit it into the trash or toilet rather than the sink as the oil could clog your sink drain over time. We have them as one of our dental products.