Kylie Jenner Swears by Coconut Oil for Whitening Your Teeth (2024)

FAQs

Does coconut oil actually whiten teeth? ›

Some claim coconut oil offers benefits like healthier gums, plaque removal, and even whiter teeth. But before you make oil pulling part of your morning routine, it's important to ask, “Does coconut oil really whiten teeth?” It turns out that oil probably won't offer you significant oral benefits.

Coconut oil has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Coconut oil also contains lauric acid, a fatty acid with antimicrobial properties. A 2015 study involving 60 adolescents with gingivitis found that oil pulling with coconut oil resulted in a 50% decrease in dental plaque.

How quickly coconut oil whitens your teeth will depend on a number of factors; namely how often you choose to oil pull, and for how long. If you're oil pulling daily for around 20 minutes or so, results can appear in as little as three days.

The bad news is that it won't whiten your teeth. There is no scientific evidence to suggest that coconut oil has any benefits for oral health. Furthermore, swishing with or brushing with oil tastes icky and takes up time that you could be using on proven teeth whitening methods.

You can whiten your teeth with coconut oil every day if you want, but most people choose to do it only a few times a week. If you don't want to swish the oil around in your mouth, you can always apply the oil to your toothbrush and simply brush your teeth.

Some people recommend mixing ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder with 1/8 teaspoon melted coconut oil. The coconut oil may help the turmeric cling to your teeth and gums better. Coconut oil also has its own purported oral health benefits. You can also add ¼ teaspoon additional baking soda if desired.

Baking soda can prevent and treat tartar buildup on your teeth. Also called sodium bicarbonate, it helps by softening tartar. It also balances the acids in your mouth that create plaque and stop it from turning into tartar. As it is mildly abrasive, it's an effective option to scrub away stains and whiten your teeth.

What are the risks of Oil Pulling? The negative side effects of oil pulling including dry mouth, excessive thirst, muscular stiffness, exhaustion and loss of sensation or taste in the mouth. Coconut oil is a solid at room temperature and needs to be disposed of in a waste receptacle and not the sink.

Which oil is best for teeth whitening? ›

As mentioned previously, organic coconut oil is a superstar in teeth whitening. It eliminates bad breath, removes stains, and contributes to brighter, whiter teeth.

It's better to brush afterwards so you can completely remove the oil and bacteria from your mouth. Oil pulling involves swishing an edible oil around in your mouth to remove bacteria.

Yellow teeth can be completely whitened with teeth whitening technologies at the dentist or at home. Depending on the status of your yellow teeth as well as your needs, the doctor will advise and prescribe the appropriate method.

Does Coconut Oil Pulling cure dental cavities? Yes and no. It will reverse the effects of dental decay in the enamel layer of the tooth, but once bacteria has infected the next layer of the tooth, the tooth will require treatment by a dentist.

Coconut oil toothpaste is safe to use, but it should not replace your regular toothpaste unless it also contains fluoride. Coconut oil pulling has become increasingly popular in the United States, and medical studies support it having some antimicrobial properties that can help your oral health.

The chemistry of the coconut oil essentially “pulls” microbes and plaque from your teeth and gums as you swish, hence the term “oil pulling.” After you have finished, rinse your mouth well with water, and brush as usual.

Swish the oil around your mouth. Just be careful you do not swallow it. Start by oil pulling for 5 minutes, then gradually increase your time as you get used to the feeling. To get the most benefit, make it a goal to swish with the oil for 5 to 20 minutes each day.