The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Dental Issues
Posted by Reno (Memphis, Tn) on 01/27/2017
★★★★★
Why do all that gross swishing of oil and spit for 20 minutes? Just swish a small sip of hydrogen peroxide for 2 minutes then spit it out and rinse your mouth. This is even better for oxygenation of the gums and promotes healing of minor abraisions of the mouth and will not burn your mouth. (if you have a beard don't let it get on your beard especially if it's tinted or it may turn white. If you do rinse the beard immediately).
Side Effects
Posted by Holly (Atlanta, Ga) on 08/16/2014
I have been oil pulling with coconut oil for almost 5 days now. On the evening of the second day I started a dense headache that has increased slowly and has now turned into a full blown migraine by the 5th day!! All week I did not take any OTC pain pills but I had to take something for the agonizing migraine. My question is, is this normal? My detox is horrific! I hear and read all these stories of how great people feel, I feel I've been hit by a bus! I want to continue OP, I'm am seeing positive results with skin and teeth but this detox is killing me. Do you have any words of wisdom?
Dental Issues
Posted by Timh (KY) on 11/20/2014 2041 posts
I have found that walking around or even sitting upright in a vertical position is not ideal for Oil Pulling. Recline your body 45 degrees and the pull is much more effective.
Side Effects
Posted by Kennywally (Midwest) on 06/02/2016 46 posts
To Liz (Atlanta):
I tried all them oils, olive, sesame etc, but I settled on coconut oil due to taste and it performs quite well. I know originally it called for other oils, but I found them to be difficult to keep in mouth for very long. And to me, 15-20 minutes was ridiculous, but if anyone prefers that, by all means, continue til your heart is content. I vigorously pull for about 20 seconds then spit red, due to chronic gum issues, then I pull again and I spit pink, then I pull one more time and it's clear and I do it prior to bed, because bedtime, the overnight is when the bacteria multiplies the most, and not rinsing off the oil allows the natural antimicrobial quality of the coconut oil to do a bit of protecting while I sleep, Hope that adds to your info base.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Liz (Boston, Massachusetts) on 03/25/2014
It's supposed to be solid, so the answer to your question is yes. It will liquefy once it is in your 98.6 degree mouth. :) The entire jar will become liquid when the weather is warmer.
Broad Benefits
Posted by David (Anchorage AK) on 01/27/2026
★★★★★
I've been oil pulling on and off for about 6 months. I noticed when I quit doing it that my heels became quite rough with cracked flaky skin. I remembered reading here that it is beneficial for cracked heels, and that prompted me to start pulling again. I primarily use coconut oil, and can see improvement in less than 2 weeks. Cracked heels should be added to the list of things it addresses.
Detoxification
Posted by Malismjau (United Kingdom) on 10/26/2013
★★★★★BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
Hello! I'm 24 years old female. I started coconut oil pulling about 4 days ago. At the beginning only 10 min in the morning whilst taking shower and didn't notice any particular changes. Last two days I have been doing it 20 min in the morning before breakfast and 20 min before bedtime. I had root canal done on two of my molar teeth 4 years ago. To start with I had infections and I couldn't get rid of them but than it just stopped and I was getting jaw pains every now and than.... yesterday my gums swell around the two teeth, my jaw pains are constant, I had sore throat. This morning I woke up with less swelling. Still feeling horrible. Also noticed that I stink of sweat and it was so intense I had to run to shower straight away. I feel so unwell. I smoke about 6 cigarettes a day. Today I could barely handle one. Feel like I have no carvings at all. Smoke makes me cringe. I am convinced that all toxins and bacteria is leaving my body and I feel very unwell. But happy at the same time and wont stop. I cannot believe I haven't fond this cure before.
Coconut Oil
Posted by Hamm (Florida, US) on 01/14/2015
I think real exercise would do you well. Play sports and if you can't do that, just run. 21 is tooooo young for health problems.
Castor Oil
Posted by Ta (St. Louis, Mo, Usa) on 02/11/2015
Castor oil is in many cosmetics and creams/ointments and has been used as a laxative for generations. I've never heard of any problems from consuming other than relieving constipation.
Skin
Posted by Jeffrey (Hartly, Delaware) on 03/12/2013
★★★★★
I have been oil pulling for several weeks, sesame oil, one tablespoon, each morning for 20 minutes. Before I started my facial skin was flaking severely. Now it doesn't! No flaking, period.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Samara (Manchester, Yorkshire, England) on 02/26/2013
★★★★★
Recently I wrote in about my experience with oil pulling and making my own home made toothpaste. I began using organic, unrefined cold pressed sesame oil for pulling, and baking soda with a minimal amount of fine sea salt and peppermint essential oil for brushing my teeth and still am.. My progress report.
It's been two months now in total and almost a month since my original post.
Initially I experienced some bad breath where I hadnt had a problem with bad breath before .. Or halitosis being the posh term :) My bad breath has disappeared.. My teeth are noticeably less stained.. Very noticeably I have to say.. My oral health, my teeth and gums are definately healthier.. not dramatically so I have noticed but definately an improvement.
The other thing I have noticed tho is that I do not ever get any plaque on my teeth .. Never.. prior to and during my menses I get very ill and sick which brings about any number of issues.. Mouth ulcers being one of them.. Oil pulling has virtually eradicated this for me. If I get one it is gone in a few hours. Other thing I have noticed is that my energy level has increased. I generally have a greater energy level than most ppl I kno anyways, and I dont kno if it is down to the oil pulling but I certainly have MORE energy than I usually do.
Also, last week I received my bottle of organic, cold pressed unrefined sunflower oil to try too, along with a tub of organic cold pressed extra virgin coconut oil to alternate and see what happens. I have been swishing with all three and eating minute pieces of the coconut oil
That's my update for the moment. I will keep you posted on any other changes. Many thanks for the site EarthClinic xx
Side Effects
Posted by Swishie (Green Fort Greene, Neverland, Second Star) on 06/28/2013
20 minutes may be too long as well. You're creating an emulsification that draws out then traps the bacteria in your mouth & encouraging saponification. You want the oil pulled to be white and frothy when you spit. If it falls and goes clear you're basically swishing toxic stuff all over your teeth. I do 15 minutes.
& Always brush beforehand! The sesame oil has been proven to retard plaque for up to 12 hours.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Funmilicious (Lagos, Nigeria) on 08/10/2012
★★★★★
I have been oil pulling with coconut oil for over 6 months now and I have had amazing results in two areas: my sinuses and my breath, I guess the two were related.
I have had terrible sinuses since I was a kid, hereditary, my father was always pulling mucous and spitting out (gross) several times every single day. Mine sinuses were not that bad, but was bad enough.
First I tried nasal rinsing with neti pots and then the sinus wash bottle. It worked great by getting rid of my tonsil stones and I still do sinus rinse occasionally.
Oil pulling does a great job of pulling out excess mucous from the sinuses a d cleaning out the nasal passages.
I have not had a cold in several months, my sinuses are clear and I have great breath. Thank you earth clinic.
Hot Flashes
Posted by Maria (Charlote, Nc) on 08/02/2012
★★★★★
I'm 51 and my hot flashes disapeared about 2 weeks after I started doing oil pulling with unrefined organic sesame seed oil.
Dental Issues
Posted by Newtoallthis (La, Ca) on 04/15/2012
★★★★★
I asked why wait four hours after eating and one hour after drinking water and never found an answer. Recently I added a second oil pulling, before bed--sometimes less than a full hour after drinking water--and I haven't noticed bad effects. I use coconut oil in the morning and olive oil at night.
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.
Detoxification
Posted by 2bconscious (West Des Moines, Iowa) on 03/31/2012
★★★★★
I have been using Coconut oil to Oil Pull every morning now for 6 days. The first day I had pain in my left shoulder, arm and upper back. The pain and concern caused me to go to the Urgent Care Center. The doctor diagnosis was inflammation, prescribed pain pills. I never took the pills. The next morning the pain was gone! I noticed my gums are getting pinker in places where they were dark in color. I also notice my energy level is higher!! I did also start walking on the treadmill every morning for 30 min. 1 1/2, 5 days ago!! I also use Coconut oil for my toothpaste and deodorant!! I love it!! Oil Pulling with Coconut Oil is a winner!!
Coated Tongue
Posted by Blac (Detroit, Mi Usa) on 03/01/2012
★★★★★
I recently had a bout of bronchitis. I noticed my tongue was coated from my detoxing. I was reading thru the oil pulling therapy comments and decided to try it with sesame oil. I forgot how well it works. My tongue is pink again. I think I'll do it on a regular basis and see what happens.
Dental Issues
Posted by Clay Vessel (East London, South Africa) on 12/18/2011
Hello, Earth Clinic. I am so glad to have found this site which I have already recommended to others. I have a concern about the possible danger of Oil Pulling and the presence of amalgam fillings in one's mouth.
I'd like a response from Ted, or any person who is an authority on Oil Pulling.
I have been so impressed by the experiences of others with regard to Oil Pulling and am keen to do it regularly. However, I have one amalgam filling left in my mouth, a tooth which also had root canal work done on it years ago. On all the sites I have looked at, it seems that the amalgam filling and Oil Pulling combination is not mentioned very often, and many who report great results do not say whether they have amagam fillings or not.
How can it possibly be safe to swish oil around ones mouth in the presence of a mercury filling?
I know the solution is to have the amalgam filling removed, and I have removed all of the others (slowly, over time). I am reluctant to remove this last one because a) it's expensive and I can't afford it just now and b) a doctor said that it may do more harm to remove it than to keep it in. Despite the protocol that is followed (rubber dam, charcoal drunk afterwards) there's no escaping the mercury vapour that one inhales during the procedure. So for now, it remains in. The filling is big, and old.
I have just completed ten weeks of chelation with a doctor to remove heavy metals from the body, because of all the amalgam fillings I used to have. He used weekly injections with a Vit C and calcium combination. Am concerned that by Oil Pulling, I may inadvertantly re-introduce mercury into the bloodstream again.
I so want to do Oil Pulling - it sounds so effective and makes sense to me, and my husband, who is also keen. We've done it twice already. But could it be that Oil Pulling in the presence of mercury might outweigh the benefits of Oil Pulling altogether and make the practice more harmful than good? I would value knowledgeable comments and advice. Thanks, Earth Clinic
Dental Issues
Posted by Pat (Albuquerque, Nm) on 09/01/2011
★★★★★
oil pulling is overall a good remedy. Swish 1 Tablespoon sunflower, or sesame oil between the teeth for around 15 minutes every day. DO NOT SWALLOW. This pulls poisons from your mouth. If you find that you gag, then spit it out ( in the toilet ) and then try again the next day. You will eventually build yourselft up to it. It is important to brush your teeth thoroughly after you spit the oil out either with natural soap or toothpaste. I use soap because it helps rid the poison residue. Oil pulling also cures certain ailments from the body over time. My dental exams have been excellent since I've been doing this. I try to do it everyday for about 2 to 3 weeks to cleanse thoroughly.
Broad Benefits
Posted by Letitia (Halifax, Nova Scotia) on 03/07/2011
★★★★★BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
Hey! I have some feedback and a question. I've been Oil pulling with EVOO and Pure Sunflower Oil for 5 days now. I know it's suppose to be Cold-pressed, I'm working on it. I read a blog entry on oil pulling, and how it helped with whitening teeth and over all oral health. I thought BINGO! My prayers have been answered. I have soft teeth, and get cavities pretty easy. I started to do my research before trying it and found this site. I am happy to say that in just 5 days of oil pulling my skin is softer, my teeth are whiter, my mouth feels clean longer, my breath smells good, and I feel more alive!
I did get some detox side effects, like headaches and nausea, but that's about it. The only other problem I'm having while oil pulling is pain in my teeth. I took this to reduce the pain not increase it. Also weird discomfort in the back of my throat. I'm wondering if anyone else experienced the same thing? does anyone know what I should do, whether I should stop the oil pulling, is it making my teeth worse? I don't know.
Whitens Teeth
Posted by Teck (Las Cruces, Nm, Usa) on 01/29/2011
★★★★★
I've been OPing for at least four days with extra virgin, cold pressed olive oil, about 15 - 20 min in the morning after I wake up. I noticed an immediate difference after the first OP, just in my teeth being slightly whiter and the clean feeling all over my teeth. Each day, my teeth have gotten whiter and stayed white throughout the day. I've been having some MINOR sinus drainage, but it also seems my face has gotten clearer (I'm pregnant, so I've been having facial issues with pimples and dry, itchy, red splotchy areas). After a full 30 days I will post again my results.
About Oil Pulling
Posted by Jen (Malvern, Pa) on 12/26/2010
★★★★★
I have a private holistic practice and over the past 25 years have had my sensitive clients start with 3 minutes per day the first week. 5 the second. 7 the third and then up to 10-15 depending on how they respond. I had one client stay at 3 minutes for 3 months before he could work up to 5. I think that some of the intense side effects are due to the dental component of the root canals, tmj joint and brain aspects releasing as we need to understand the cranial component of this method as well. An offering for more sensitive clients and to recognize the body isn't to be pushed but encouraged. Namaste, Jen
