Swishingcoconut oilin your mouth (oil pulling) is anecdotally said to help whiten teeth.
Santiago Urquijo/ Getty Images
Coconut Oil for Teeth Whitening: Does It Work?
How does coconut oil whiten teeth, and does it work?
Santiago Urquijo/ Getty Images
However, research does not fully support this claim.
There are two main types of coconut oil: refined and unrefined (also called virgin or cold-pressed).
When it comes to oil pulling, selecting an unrefined coconut oil option is likely the better choice.
People with high cholesterol should avoid unintentionally consuming coconut oil while oil pulling.
If the full 20 minutes is too difficult to maintain, try starting with five or 10-minute increments.
Shanbhag VK.Oil pulling for maintaining oral hygiene - A review.J Tradit Complement Med.
2017;8(3):57-60. doi: 10.4103/denthyp.denthyp_64_16
American Dental Association.Whitening.
MedlinePlus.Tooth - abnormal colors.
2019;56(6):3109-3116. doi:10.1007/s13197-019-03810-w
American Dental Association.Oil pulling.
American Dental Association.Natural teeth whitening.
Ciancio SG.Baking soda dentifrices and oral health.J Am Dent Assoc.
Evaluation by a new method.PLoS One.
2015;10(6):e0129462.
2015 Jan-Feb;40(1):E21-7.
doi:10.2341/13-333-LR
Oral Health Foundation.Diet and my teeth.
Juurlink DN.Activated charcoal for acute overdose: a reappraisal: Activated charcoal: a reappraisal.Br J Clin Pharmacol.
