Ditch the Mouthwash, Repurpose Your Coconut Oil

Image by Meal Makeover Moms

About a year ago, when I first started adding natural products to my daily routine, a friend told me that they had started oil pulling. When I first heard the term I was confused. My first thought was that it was related to oil drilling in some way. I wasn't even close.

What is oil pulling? 

To put it simply, oil pulling is an alternative to mouthwash. You take a tablespoon of any vegetable oil (although coconut, sesame, or sunflower are the most common) and swish it in your mouth anywhere from 5-20 minutes.

This isn't "a practice that's based on pseudo-science," WebMD reports. This 3,000 year old "Ayurvedic medicine" is gaining popularity in America. It's popped up all over the internet and has even recently made appearances on television. For example, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.

In fact, oil pulling has been shown to protect against

• gingivitis 
• plaque
• bad breath

In my personal experience, I've even found that repurposing coconut oil was quite effective. It even helped to heal some minor cavities. Although, I will admit that this is something that has been debated upon by various sources. 

Shortly after the conversation with my friend, I had a check up at the dentist's office. At the conclusion of the visit, I found out that I had a couple of minor cavities that needed to be filled. However, I had only been scheduled for a routine cleaning so I had to make another appointment for a couple weeks out. 

I was actually pretty bummed out about the cavities. I have always taken pride in the fact that I've never had a cavity. I brush my teeth twice--sometimes three times-- a day.  Unfortunately, it was around this time that I began exhibiting symptoms of what I would later find out to be a chronic illness.  My oral hygiene slipped and I developed those damned cavities. 

I'm glad that I remembered what my friend had told me about oil pulling. Later that day I looked it up and came across the WebMD article (linked above). 

I tried it out twice (once a week) before my dentist appointment. I used about 1 1/2 tablespoons of coconut oil each time. 

Two weeks later I found myself in the chair again. I lay there, jaw unhinged, with two metal tools prodding around. The longer he poked around the more sure I was that my teeth had betrayed me. But after a couple more minutes my dentist lowered his mask and told me something I'll never forget, "These are some of the nicest teeth I've ever seen." He's a young dentist... but I'll take it. 

How to pull it off

1. Take one or two tablespoons of your oil of choice. I suggest that you start with just one tablespoon. It probably more than you think. The volume can sometimes double as your saliva mixes in with the oil. The most commonly used oils are coconut, sesame, and sunflower. Pro-tip: If you're using coconut oil during the colder half of the year, make sure to melt it before putting it in your mouth. It feels really weird to let it melt in your mouth. 
2. Swish in your mouth for up to twenty minutes. WebMD suggests that you start with five minutes. I would strongly encourage it as well. I try to do this while I'm getting ready in the morning. Whether I'm in the shower, washing my face, or watching The Office on Netflix, I just keep swishing. Don't try and swish the oil around like normal mouth wash. Slowly pull the oil around your mouth and through your teeth. WebMD also suggest that you do this on an empty stomach. 
3. Rinse your mouth with warm water. Be sure to have a glass of warm water on hand. After you've  throughly swished, spit the oil into a container that you don't mind disposing of. Do not swallow. The oil should look whiter than before. This is the bacteria from your mouth. Trust me, you do not want to swallow it. Rinse your mouth out with the warm water. 
4. Continue on as usual. This shouldn't replace your everyday routine! So keep on brushing. 

Okay, but what's wrong with using regular mouthwash?

Mouthwash hasn't been a part of our daily routine for that long. Its not really a necessity. In fact, one of the largest brands started as a floor cleaner, according to Adam Ruins Everything. 

You can watch a short video about Listerine below.

Its also important to remember that mouthwash usually contains alcohol, which kills the bacteria in your mouth indiscriminately. That's right, there is good bacteria in your mouth. They work to keep us healthy.  In killing them, we increase our chances of getting sick. 

In a report published by Penn State, it is said that the overuse of alcohol based mouthwashes can actually lead to an increased risk of oral cancer. 

How is oil pulling more sustainable?

It really simple, actually. When you purchase a bottle of mouthwash you're spending about $6. This mouthwash really only has one use to you. Although I suppose you could use it as a floor cleaner according to Adam. Mouthwash almost always comes in plastic bottles too. You'd be hard-pressed to find a bottle made out of glass. 

Coconut oil, on the other hand, can be bought for around $8 for a small jar. It can often be found in glass containers (which are easily reusable and recyclable) in the smaller sizes. Coconut oil has so many uses.

• Food
• Lotions
• Soaps
• Hair masks

 Because of its versatile qualities, coconut oil can be reasonably bought in bulk. You can get a gallon for as little as $25 on amazon. Now I wouldn't recommend you buy a gallon of coconut oil right off the back. Try getting a small jar as you might not make too many of your own products right off the bat.  Do keep in mind that making oil pulling a long-term habit could save you money!