Let’s get real. I work for Procter & Gamble, one of the world’s largest consumer goods companies, which also happens to make a little brand called Crest. I love Crest and have been a loyal user since college when P&G hired me. But, as much as I love the results of our White Strips, my sensitive teeth can’t handle using them often. Therefore, a few weeks ago when I saw a Well + Good NYC article on Twitter claiming whiter teeth using an all natural method I clicked right through.

But, after reading the first line, I was immediately a skeptic.

You are trying to tell me that putting a tablespoon of either coconut, sesame or olive oil in my mouth and swishing it around for 20 minutes will result in whiter teeth and rid my body and mouth of toxins?

Year right. For three weeks I laughed about the topic with friends both in Geneva and New York City. My Geneva friends had no idea what this trend was and thought I was insane. My NYC friends had all heard of it but similar to me thought it was too good to be true or would result in gag reflexes.

After an indulgent ski weekend filled with wine and cheese induced night sweats, I woke up Monday morning ready to start the week fresh. I sipped warm lemon water after an invigorating run all before the early hour of 7am. As I left the kitchen I noticed the olive oil bottle, sitting out from the previous night’s dinner.

Oh what the hell. I have a whole bottle of olive oil sitting right here. Why not give this health fad a try? I do have a health blog after all.

Three days later I’m beyond hooked! So now that you’ve heard my long winded story about how I put the first tablespoon of olive oil in my mouth, let’s get down to business. Why should you try oil pulling? What is oil pulling? Will I gag?

What is oil pulling? Oil pulling should really be called oil swishing as it is a traditional Ayurvedic remedy that involves swishing oil in the mouth, similar to the way one would swish mouthwash. Many claim that the act of swishing a tablespoon of oil for up to 20 minutes extracts or pulls out toxins by absorbing products of food and bacteria in the oral cavities, especially in hard to reach areas such as between teeth crevices.

What type of oil should I use? Traditionally coconut oil is the most popular, due in part to it’s flavor, but sesame and olive oil can also be used.

What are the benefits? Every article I read sites different benefits but the most consistent benefits cited are decrease in gum inflammation, whiter teeth, reduce tartar, fresher breath, clearer skin, stronger teeth, decrease in headaches, reduces insomnia, and supports your bodies detoxification.

Do I really have to swish for 20 minutes? In order to see the most benefits, many articles claim that 10 to 20 minutes is the optimal amount of time, ensuring not to swish longer than this. If 10 minutes intimidates you, try swishing during your morning routine so your mind is on showering, blow drying your hair, reading the news or making breakfast versus swishing oil.

When should I oil pull? In order to see the full benefits, it is recommended that you oil pull immediately upon waking up.

But won’t I have oil residue in my mouth? After spitting the oil into a trash can or bag you should rinse your mouth with warm water or salt water. Then, it is recommended that you practice your regular dental hygiene routine including brushing your teeth, flossing and using mouthwash. Never spit the oil into your sink as it can clog your drain!

How much do I use? 1 tablespoon

Will I gag? Who knows how you’ll react the first time but based on experience I recommend ensuring that you do not use too much oil and setting your timer so you make a game of seeing how long you can swish the oil. Make sure you do not swallow the oil! If you do have to spit it out after just a few minutes you can choose to start over. The first day I lasted less than 5 minutes. The next day I swished while blow drying my hair and lasted 8 minutes. Today I found that swishing while showering is the best option as I was able to swish for 10 minutes and barely noticed the swishing since I was focused on showering.

When will I start to see results? I started to see results from oil pulling immediately. My teeth and mouth felt more fresh than normal after the first day and by day three I’ve noticed a significant reduction in the amount of plaque between my teeth and I have been sleeping better these three nights than I have in months.

In case you’re still not convinced to grab the olive oil from your pantry, check out these other articles and blog posts about oil pulling.

Oil Pulling: New Yorkers Trade Listerine for This Ayurvedic Detox Method

Oil Pulling: Miracle Cure or Oily Mess? 

How to Oil Pull – Video by Holistic Habits

Oil Pulling 101 – Stripes & Sequins 

Want a New Hobby? Try Oil Pulling.

Your turn – Are you going to give it a try or have you already? Thoughts?