| 5 star (81) | 88% | |
| 4 star (4) | 4% | |
| 3 star (1) | 1% | |
| 1 star (2) | 2% | |
 (4) | 4% |
scrambled (Hillsborough NJ) on 05/30/2022: 
I was wondering where oil pulling ends and going back to the dentist begins again, though. I have a cracked tooth that I was advised needs a route canal. It is edgy and feels rough on my tongue. I know I'll have to revisit for this at some point.
What else can be done? I have read people dealing with these types of issues themselves especially if there is anxiety involved.
Also, how do people ultimately deal with the pressures that the dentists usually put us through in that chair when we get a checkup/cleaning?
It is sometimes hard to get around...especially if you really need their care for a dental emergency down the line.
Thanks ahead for commenting and advising!
Reno (Memphis, Tn) on 01/27/2017: 
Wwtd? (Hawaii, US) on 04/22/2015:
I'm ashamed to admit that even though I have been "natural" my whole life it never occurred to me that dentistry could be as bogus as western medicine. There is a place for dentistry for sure, just be cautious.
My tale: In 2000 when I was 40, I had a root canal/crown. Infection persisted afterward. Dentist prescribed antibiotics off and on.
I quit eating ALL forms of sugar (except fruit) and grains in 2002. My infection disappeared. It returned a year later when I began eating grains occasionally. My new dentist treated it with antibiotics 2 months then INSISTED I see a surgeon. The surgeon explained he would have to dig out the infection and perhaps any fragment of root left in my gum causing the infection. I didn't want to die so had the surgery.
3 months later my infection returned. The surgeon told me there was nothing he could do except extract the tooth, after costing me nearly $8000.
I came across Dr. Weston Price research. I also read about countless cases like mine on the Net. I am not saying it isn't possible for infection to spread. I am just stating my experiences. The infection continued on and off for 14 years. It was pretty much always there. Not overly bothersome, but definitely there, going away for up to 2 months sometimes. I have been infection free for just over a year. I can't say for sure it is gone forever or if my remedy was the cure. I started oil pulling once a day for 20 minutes with organic cold pressed olive oil or coconut oil. I started oil pulling for my gums, having the infection leave was a bonus!
To be fair I must add I am very healthy. I eat 80% or more raw foods. nothing processed, so these results might not be attained by people with poor diets.
Rama (India) on 11/19/2014: 
Better But With Side Effects
Then few years back again I started it, and did it regularly 3 times a day, and that was the time got so many blisters in my mouth. I still continued with great difficulty , thinking it was okay, as it must be all the toxins coming out and they would go away, as Sesame oil is also good for treating ulcers anyway in India.
But then I could not even open my mouth it was so painful, that I had to visit a doctor and get medicines to get rid of the blisters. After that, I decided I will not try OP.
Now again I suddenly remembered it and as I am in my 50s with all the associated problems related to this age, I thought I would start again.
So I started with once a day early in the morning and slowly as the week progressed I have started doing it twice a day.
Till now I have had no problems and I really like doing it.I also have not noticed any positive changes in me, but that is okay, we have to give time to healing to see results. I am willing to wait. I feel I must have got too excited and had started doing 3 times previously, that is why too many toxins were released and caused the blister problem. This time I am more sensible, if I see some problem, I would reduce it to once a day, and see when I can re start it to twice a day, or even stop it for a while I have no doubt in my mind regarding its goodness. I have done it both with sesame oil as well as coconut oil. I don't like sun flower and olive oil. I would keep alternating between Coconut and sesame oil.
I will soon get back with my updates.
Nora (Kentucky, Usa) on 08/10/2014:
Joojoo (Tampa, Fl) on 07/16/2014: 
Cadillacmatt (Los Angeles, Ca) on 08/13/2013:
Om (Hope, B.c., Canada) on 05/21/2013:
I have done it now for almost a year and loose teeth are firm again. Otherwise my teeth have whitened over time. Other benefits may be there as I have no other issues. Keep it up. Om
Jenn (Cork, Ireland) on 01/12/2013:
My mouth feels much healther and my teeth are stronger, my dentist recommended for me to use a filler toothpaste as I have sensitive enamel. I choose to oil pull instead, and six months later my teeth are not as sensitive. I would recommend everyone giving it a try as it is inexpensive. It's just getting into a routine, like brushing and flossing teeth. Soon it becomes second nature. Of course you should follow your dentist advice also, I just made my own decision that suited me.
Om (Hope, Bc Canada) on 12/28/2012:
Effleurage1 (Aurora, Co, Arapahoe) on 11/17/2012:
U.n. Soldier (Vatican City, Italy) on 10/20/2012:
Victoria (San Diego, Ca) on 09/12/2012:
Better But With Side Effects
Another curious thing is anytime my head is upside down (I practice yoga), I feel pressure at the top of my nose and smell a strong scent that reminds me of tooth decay. I know this is disgusting, but it seriously reminds me of when I got my last root canal... The smell when the endodontist was removing the decay. What can be causing this? I do, unfortunately, have a mouth full of amalgam fillings. I've read about the concerns about pulling with these, but I've also read the arguments. Like wouldn't you want to draw out the mercury if you're able to spit it out? And if your fillings do fall out, oil pulled the decay from under it, and it's time to get them refilled anyhow. I don't know how true any of this is. I've read everything online, but there definitely isn't much on the topic. I pull for 20 minutes in the morning every day and some days in the afternoon a second time. I started with coconut oil since that's what we had but have bought sesame oil to use instead now. Should I continue pulling? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks!
Nordlanding1 (Uniontown, Alabama) on 08/12/2012:
Jane (Mountain View, Ca) on 05/18/2012:
Newtoallthis (La, Ca) on 04/15/2012:
I am mainly doing it for dental health and consider oil pulling an alternative to mouth wash. Rules like waiting four hours could just be part of making it sound mysterious and magical. I haven't noticed any magical cures, but my gums bleed much less during teeth cleanings and, for the first time, a dentist told me I have excellent oral hygiene.
Lee (Boone, North Carolina) on 04/09/2012:
Giveitagojones (Edinburgh, Uk) on 04/04/2012:
I stopped during a period of dental treatment (I had a wisdom tooth removed that was more filling than tooth, I strongly believed it was the cause of a strange cough I had had since the filling was done, the cough was difficult to describe, but it would disappear if I didn't brush my teeth???), I opted to have the tooth removed. A few days after the extraction and still not back to oil pulling, I suffered what can only be described as hell, my blood pressure shot up and I experienced palpitations like never before. The inflammation and discharge at the wound in my gum had allowed an infection to spread throughout my body.
The advice from my Doctor "go and see the Dentist", the advice from my Dentist "That's normal, just use some some salt water to clean the area", the advice from the emergency room I quickly visited shortly after that same day "It's not a heart attack, try to exercise more and stop smoking", the advice from a Consultant after I had completely lost my patience (and mind) five minutes later, "Take this Amoxicillin (Penicillin), and go and see your Doctor if it doesn't improve".
Anyway, to cut a long story short, I didn't bother with the antibiotics and went back to oil pulling, 3 days later, all was well (I did go crazy on my "cure all" Ginger as well), in hindsight, I should have just stuck with the oil pulling and sucking on a cut piece of Ginger root after the extraction, and when I get trouble with my teeth again (as we all will), I don't intend pausing the oil pulling.
Has anybody ever had a bad reaction to Coconut or Ginger when used together or alone, in any form?
(I should add with respect to the coughing situation above, the cough disappeared within a day or so after the tooth removal, and the only other way I could stop it was by oil pulling, but this would only last for about two hours or so).
This is an excellent site by the way and was the source of my original discovery of oil pulling.
As for the saturated fat issue with Coconuts, I don't sell Coconuts or have any interests in the Coconut industry, I personally feel that they are doing me no harm, your experience may be different, good luck and God bless to all (I hope this helps someone).
Earlygirl (Sacramento, California) on 03/15/2012:
Mavanou (N.y) on 03/09/2012:
Better But With Side Effects
Since, I was also doing hydrogen peroxide, so I am not sure which was creating the effect.
I just slowly started oil pulling again using coconut oil and the pain is less. I will try to use black seed oil for op in the future to see if there is any difference.
Thank you so much for your site and for sharing your knowledge.
Karen (Broomfield, Co, Usa) on 01/25/2012:
Anuj (Sydney, Australia) on 01/22/2012:
Better But With Side Effects
Started OP about 7 days back. The first 3 days I used sunflower oil for OP. During that time, had excruciating pain for the first 2 days near one of my molars (the one which had root canaling done; I have 2 root canals ). The third day with sunflower oil was smooth and no pain.
Ran out of sunflowerr oil, so started using olive oil. Again, absolute hell with the headache and mucous for 2 days.
On the positive side, my teeth feel cleaner, no more bad breath and my gums seem to have firmed up. Will continue oil pulling to see how my cavities and dental decay fare.
Only concern being I have a lot of metal fillings- my dental health has been pathetic throughout my life-hope OP helps me cure that.
Modern Medicine Maiden (Victoria, Bc, Canada) on 12/28/2011:
I was diagnosed 10 years ago with a tumor/goiter on the right side of my thyroid that was noticeable in size. Oddly enough the left side is trying to compensate for it so my specialist and I decided to just leave it be and I would monitor its size and my well being (noticing any changes to my health) so after several years of blood tests etc.... I am now on yearly monitoring. Seems to be fine but the size has never changed. No matter what kind of cleanse or supplement I did. I just thought it was my little pet to carry around with me. Now I need to mention that I eat very healthy clean whole foods as I am sensitive to a lot of things (thanks goodness my body has a natural defense to all the bad stuff, makes it easier to say no! ). And then I decided to try oil pulling!!!!!!!!!!! The first day I had an awful metallic taste in the back of my throat. From the second day on I would expel a considerable amount of phlegm a few times after I had spit out the oil, IT'S SHRINKING!!!!! I have also had a slight breakout on my chin that happens to line up with my thyroid and only on the affected side so I know its pulling upwards. I honestly think that the doctor may even miss it if I had a routine check up. Not to mention my teeth are so much whiter! I am honestly telling everyone I love because this is so easy! I am fortunate to have seen direct results so I am absolutely convinced that this is another practice that I will incorporate into my daily regime for the rest of my life! Just try it..... Sesame oil, 2 tsp, empty tummy, 20 min and swish-n-spit away your potential future diseases down the drain!
Hainer (London, Uk) on 12/09/2011:
Better But With Side Effects
The only problem I have is the side effects which includes Blocked nose which is really annoying and I have to use decongestant to clear it up and feeling lethargic and weak. Although I have been doing it for many weeks but I stopped for a while and when I started again I am getting the same symptoms.
Some times I do OP for more than 20 minutes or even 30 minutes, and I wonder could this be the reason for feeling ill.
Pat (Albuquerque, Nm) on 09/01/2011:
Julie (Minneapolis, Minnesota, Usa) on 03/17/2011:
I repeated with another 20 minute session right afterward my first oil pull last night. Today an area on my gum at the site of a 2 crown procedure placed 3 weeks ago made a huge leap toward healed. Roots from a more recent crown has been calm most of the day--not a small feat since that root bothers me frequently.
Regarding getting rid of the oil after I use it.... I also do not want to cause septic problems. I spit the oil into a paper napkin and put it in the trash. Spitting it into a bag of trash that already has lots of tissues also works well--so there's no oily mess in the trash can.
Mare (Mechanic Lake, New Brunswick, Canada) on 03/02/2011:
Kai (Seattle, Wa) on 12/23/2010:
If the oil pulling is giving you the bad breath (though that doesn't make much sense, there's nothing in oil that smells bad but may be causing a reaction) I would do this for awhile and see if the bad breath continues, then stop the OP and see if it goes away. One more thought, you may have tonsil stones or some other abcess in your mouth thats collecting bacteria. I had a bad case of strep awhile back that permanently messed up one of my tonsils, there are big spaces in it now and bacteria collect and form "tonsil rocks" its really gross but very treatable and very common. Just a thought, good luck!
Brendan (Adelaide, South Australia) on 12/22/2010:
Natalie (Wayne, Ne) on 10/27/2010:
