Recently I received Coconut Peppermint Pulling Oil in a self-care subscription that I receive monthly. Curiously I tried the product and found the taste and feeling in my mouth pleasant, but wasn’t sure if I wanted to add another product in my oral heath hygiene routine. Still I continued, noticing a difference the more I kept it up.

Coconut pulling oil is said to whiten teeth, freshen breath, improve oral health, & improve health in other ways. Coconut oil (in comparison to other oils you can pull with: sunflower oil, sesame oil, etc.) has lauric acid, which can kill bad bacteria that lives in your mouth. It is also said that it helps decrease toxins and heavy metals from your whole body. The result leaves you with stronger gums & better skin & whiter teeth– whats better than that combo?!.

It is recommended that you pull in the morning on an empty stomach. Take about a table spoon of the oil and swoosh in your mouth for 5-20 minutes, afterwards brush teeth as you normally would. It is important that you do not swallow the oil, if you have too much in your mouth where you find it hard to keep from swallowing or strenuous on the jaw, spit out and start over with a smaller amount. Also, when you are finished spit in a garbage instead of a sink or toilet, as over time the oil might build up and cause a clog.

When I tried to find negative side effects of coconut pulling oil, I found it funny that Colgate had something to say on this matter lol. Overall, it seems that it is important to note that this routine is not approved by the ADA and there isn’t a ton of research done on it. Obviously, if you are allergic to coconuts or coconut oil (or peppermint oil if you get one that isn’t all coco oil) do not take. Again, do not swallow, since the coconut oil is pulling bacteria and toxins from your mouth into the oil. Having that bacteria go into the body could cause health issues (rare, but possible). Colgate and the ADA also felt the need to mention that it gives some people diarrhea or upset stomach, but I would assume you would need to swallow for that reaction. Lastly, I would like to think that the readers already know this, but just in case, do not replace your normal hygiene routine with coconut pulling oil.

I have been using coconut pulling oil for about a month now and definitely notice differences. I do feel like it makes my smile a little brighter, it has helped with gum sensitivity and I do feel like it makes my skin a bit clearer. I use it in the morning following with brushing. In the evening I do my normal routine of floss, brush, and normal store bought mouthwash. I have been using the brand Skinny & Co., since that was the sample I was given and I like it. I haven’t used other brands so I can’t compare. Whether coconut pulling oil has become the newest trend to bathroom routines, IDK, but I do know I like the way I feel when I use it and I very much enjoy the taste as I swoosh in my mouth. Regardless, I think I will continue to use “nature’s mouthwash” as part of my daily routine. Too bad there’s not a bottle big enough to pour on 2020…