General Feedback
I started oil pulling 3 weeks ago. After 5 days of OP twice a day I experienced having a terrible knee pains mostly on my left knee and my hands were painful like arthritic pain. A year and a half ago I had a complete knee replacement done. I knew and expecting to experience some sort of healing pains as the major side effects of oil pulling. Since I was not sure whether my artificial knee metal part may have loosened up due to oil pulling invading the glue that was used to bond the metal part to my knee bone or the knee metal parts have loosened due to abuse, I was not sure. My knee was painful the way it used to be before I had the replacement. I was almost in panic. I made an appointment to see an orthopedic doctor in USC, L.A. immediately. The earliest appointment that was available was 25 days from the day I called them.
After a week I noticed that all the pains were gone. In fact my left knee feels almost like a natural knee. I canceled the appointment and I decided to OP again. It has been 4 days now and my knees and hands are fine, no unusual pain.
(San Diego, Ca)
06/09/2013
The symptoms you describe were probably "detoxing effects" from the oil pulling. I had symptoms similar to yours and I believe it was from all the medications I was on before and after surgery leaving my body.
Your artificial joint likely had no "glue" or "cement". Newer joint replacement surgeries today use pegs and screws and eventually bone tissue grows over the new joint making it even more stable. Glue and cement are rarely used anymore. There is no way coconut oil could get into your joint from your mouth and loosen something in your leg. I asked my surgeon how sturdy the joint with the bolts was and he said "nothing.. short of severe trauma (car accident, etc. will loosen it". Here's a description of how joint surgeries are done now.. to relieve your concerns:
"In a non-cemented procedure, components of the implant have a roughened porous surface designed to allow bone to grow into it, eliminating the need for cement.
"The implants are "press fit" against the bony surfaces that are precisely cut through the use of multiple cutting jigs. Faultless positioning is necessary for bony attachment to occur with initial fixation by metal pegs and screws of the implant to bone. Since this implant relies on the bone to hold it in place, this procedure requires good bone to be successful."
http://ehealthmd.com/content/how-artificial-implant-fixed-bone
General Feedback
I have a question. How do you keep from swallowing for 10-15 minutes? I can't imagine. Thank you.
(Glendale, Ca)
09/04/2012
If you start oil pulling for whatever time is comfortable, you can slowly work up to 15 or 20 minutes. According to Ted from Bangkok, 1-5 minutes is enough as long as you brush your teeth before and after. The part I haven't worked up to is using a whole tablespoon of oil. Maybe that's why my results aren't as strong as others.
General Feedback
Regarding oil pulling, If you leave water, or any other liquid in your mouth, without spitting it out for 20 minutes you- will end up with a mouth full of mucus. Just try it with any oil or liquid
(Grand Rapids, Mi)
11/21/2010
This afternoon I oil pulled for the first time with about 1 tsp of EVCO and had an experience that I did not expect including a lot of mucus. This evening I read your post. You said that any water, oil or other liquid held in your mouth for twenty minutes would result in a mouth full of mucus. Because I do not like to be "fooled" about things I decided to test this before spending a lot of time oil pulling and fooling myself into thinking that the oil pulling was doing something special. My personal result is that after twenty minutes with a mouth full of water, all I ended up with was a mouth full of water and saliva. No other reaction even close to oil pulling with EVCO.
(Lakeworth , Fl.)
11/22/2010
Poochie, in the last week I had the same thought as you. Why cant you use water, wouldn't it be the same? There is an expense involved with good organic oil, then another dilemma. What to do with the swished oil? I have a septic system and really don't want to spit it down the drain every day. The trash can is another option, but I don't want an oily mess in the bathroom trash. Then I was thinking about using water, would that draw out the toxins. Thinking the action is what pulls the poisons out. Thanks for doing the research for me, I guess its not the same.
General Feedback
I have a permanent metal wire retainer behind my upper and lower front teeth, to keep them in place since having braces. I am wondering whether oil pulling will effect the metal wire or the glue. Particularly since it is supposed to pull metals. What would it do to the wire?
(Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France)
10/24/2010
Hi Lucy, sorry I can't answer your question but I have one for you. Over a year ago I had my braces taken off and the orthodontist, who had always talked of placing one like you have, decided to go for a removable one instead, which I will have to put in at least once a week for the rest of my life. I am not happy about it because he never discussed this with us from the start. We will move away from here in a few months so if anything is the matter I will have to pay an orthodontist (right now it is all included in the awfully high price). If I lose or break the retainer I will have to pay for it myself as well. I would like to know what is your experience with yours as having some wire behind your teeth sounds rather weird too..... I have no idea what will happen with mine as I get older (I am 53 now) and my mouth changes.... I just don't know! But he is very good at not really telling you enough and confronting you with the things later on.
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I just need to know whether oil pulling will make the contraceptive pill less effective at all?
General Feedback
I oil pull every morning for 20 minutes day. This has been my practice for over a year now. One weird thing happens pretty regularly after I spit out the oil: I see stars. Can any one explain that phenomenon? Thanks.
General Feedback
I am so lucky to chance upon EC. All feedbacks from everyone is so invaluable. Special thanks especially to Sandy who has taken such great effort on compilation. I've OP for only 2 days. Yet to experience amazing effects but do notice plaque decreased. Hope OP could cure me of some sickness and discomforts am experiencing.
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Dear All, I am in Japan currently and wish to know where I can get a good sesame/sunflower/any other oil for the pulling. Thanks
General Feedback

I have been oil pulling for 6 months now. I have experienced quite a few things. Firstly, the rash on the skin but it went away after awhile ( a few weeks). Perhaps it is removing toxins through the skin also. I have bridge work and was getting a gap between the gum and bridge. After a week, the gap closed, the dark discoloration disappeared and any plaque on my teeth is long gone. I usually rinse my mouth with warm water afterwards. I haven't had a flu or any sickness since oil pulling. I use olive oil and have used sesame seed oil but I prefer the olive oil. My breath is fresh and clean. No morning breath smell. My jawline is more chiseled (had a bit of a double chin before).
My best advice is to keep oil pulling until any side effects leave and they will. I have old metal fillings and if anything, the area around the fillings is cleaner. I originally had a sore gum when I started and eating made it worse. After the first oil pull, the inflammation went away. Oil pulling is the best thing you can do for your body. I have my kids oil pull now and the dentist couldn't believe how clean and plaque free my kids teeth were.. I oil pull usually in the morning before breakfast and then rinse my mouth out with warm water or rinse it with ACV I have in a bottle of water. Somedays I oil pull for the full twenty minutes, some days 10 minutes and 10 minutes later in the day. I only do it once a day. I usually eat or drink after pulling, about 30 minutes later. If it hurts your jaw, pull relax, pull relax, or keep your head down to take the pressure off the jaw. This is Gods miracle cure along with Castor oil. I couldn't live without either. All the best to everyone trying it for the first time. Keep at it and you will soon enough realise how wonderful oil pulling is. God Bless you
General Feedback

Hi All.. I started oil pulling few weeks back. My tooth sensitivity lost, teeth started to feel whiter that usual pale color. But still some clean feeling was missing after sometime. So I used few grains of sea salt and swished oil and lo the mouth felt very cleaner. I have also started urine therapy from yesterday. Other noticeable things are my toe under surface was cracked and within one or two days it was healed and smooth, hair become shinier, now no need to use conditioner after shampooing, skin has become beautiful, earlier there were so many open pores but now they are not. I have sub mandibular tumor in my right side so want to see what this therapy works here. Also taking Vitamin D3 supplements for depression and flax seed oil capsules since I'm vegetarian and can not take fish oil. I have also taken epsom salt bath once to detoxify and have also started taking cold showers..
(Michelbach-le-bas, Alsace, France)
10/01/2010
General Feedback

I read the posts on the oil pulling. I have been doing it for about a week. I have sinus problems and it seems to be aggravating the sinus. I hope this is just a sign that my body is healing. I'm very sleepy with pressure in my nose so I'm taking taking ACV to help too. Also I'm taking Levothyroxine for my thyroid 75 mcg, the oil pulling won't affect that would it?
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I have been oil pulling for 6 days now. However experiencing really bad stomach pains. More like cramps. Is there anyone else that has these going on? I wonder if I should stop, or is this just my body de-toxin??? Anyone! ?
(Hamilton, New Zealand)
01/20/2011
Hi I am doing oil pulling again Last time I did it was about eight weeks ago I started to feel better after about four days except for flem in the throat that was almost gone when I stopped. Teeth felt healthier and gums improved very quickly. I stopped as To many visitors and interuptions over festive season. Ive started again and this is my third day and I have severe pain in right side about kidney area. Ive had pain here before in the past when Ive eaten to much sugar or drunk a couple of glasses of alcohol so I dont do this very often. The pain is like a constant ache- any suggestions? Ive been drinking lots of water but a bit nervous to keep going with OP in case Im damaging something.
(Los Altos, Ca)
02/05/2011

I have also been oil pulling (Sesame oil) for a week and noticed cramps in my lower right side. I don't know if I am detoxing or what. I do feel like I have more energy and less appetite for unhealthy foods. I want to eat more vegetables and avoid sugar. I will keep at it and post results as I continue in this regimen.
General Feedback
I have been oiling pulling for 3 days. I do it for 20 minutes in the morning before I brush, and eat. It was stated that if the oil does not turn white one is not doing it long enough. When I spit it out it is yellow. Using olive oil. Should I change oil?
(Sacramento, California)
09/17/2010
(Fb, Ga)
09/17/2010
I oil pulled last night for the first time and it really didn't change that much for me either. But reading on other posts, not many people reported change when using the olive oil. As for changing the oil type, what kind are you looking at? I was thinking of trying seseme or sunflower but I'll have to go and about to find it as they didn't have any at the store I went to today.
General Feedback
I have been oil pulling for the past three days - one tablespoon Virgin Coconut Oil in morning before breakfast. Yesterday afternoon I came down with a severe urinary tract infection including blood in my urine and severe pain. I succumbed and went to the doctor and am on antibiotics. I have only had a UTI twice before - and I am 49 and in generally good health, eat 70% raw food, exercise daily. I do have periodontitis and am on thyroid replacement (thyroid taken out in 1991 due to cancer). Would a severe UTI within three days of oil pulling with VCO be related to the oil pulling, or just coincidence? Thank you for your help
(Licking, Mo, United States)
10/15/2010
General Feedback

I have been using a mixture of sesame oil and coconut oil (half & half to make 1 tablespoon) the last 4 days. I have noticed that I am experiencing emotional issues coming up that I thought I had resolved and that they were long gone. Now they are coming back. I hope to be put out. Is getting rid of emotional issues one of the benefits oil pulling? I did not notice this when I used the coconut oil alone.