Replied by Liz (Boston, Massachusetts) on 04/12/2012
Diana - Actually, you shouldn't gargle the oil at all.
I hunted down the correct method for oil pulling here on EC and copy/pasted it below. It should answer all of your questions.
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First thing in the morning, before brushing your teeth, eating or drinking, take 1 TBSP of either sesame or sunflower oil. Put the oil in your mouth, tilt your chin up and slowly swish, suck, chomp and pull through the teeth. Do this for at least 10 minutes. 15 - 20 minutes is better. You want the oil to become a thin, white foam when you finally spit it out. If it's still yellow, you haven't done it long enough.
You can do this 2 more times during the day if you want to detox faster. Make sure you do it on an empty stomach, however. Spit it out in the toilet when your mouth is full and rinse your mouth out well.
Follow by drinking 2 - 3 glasses of water.
DO NOT SWALLOW THE OIL.
It now contains parasites and bacteria!
DO NOT GARGLE IN THE THROAT -- THE OIL IS MEANT TO BE SWISHED IN THE MOUTH ONLY.
DO IT SLOWLY.
