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Trends. We all know them, whether we admit it or not we all try them, and most times they all tend to go the way of beanie babies, boba tea, and slap bracelets. However, there are some trends that seem to be surfacing that appear to be the next new thing, but have actually been around for centuries and we’re just now realizing as a population how beneficial they can be. One such “trend” is called coconut pulling. Coconut pulling is a method in which an individual puts about a tablespoon of coconut oil in their mouth and gently swishes it about 10-20 minutes before discarding the oil and rinsing with water. It has been touted, especially in holistic communities, as a way to increase your oral health naturally and fight off infections such as gingivitis and other bacterias that can cause bad breath. But how much is really known about this method and is there a reason it’s been around for centuries? Let’s dig in and see what we can uncover.
Interestingly, coconut pulling has been around for thousands of years and has been utilized in places such as India for healthy oral hygiene. After all, people had to have some way to keep their teeth and gums healthy before the invention of the bristle toothbrush in 1938. In India’s ayurvedic medicine, doctors claim that coconut pulling can be beneficial in many ways, including: treating tooth decay, killing germs that cause bad breath, preventing cavities, leaning bleeding gums, reducing inflammation, preventing heart disease, boosting the immune system, and even can help in whitening your teeth. If all true, coconut pulling seems to be the next “superstar” in oral health. But can it really do what these doctors claim? Well, let’s look a little closer.
Coconut oil by design is naturally antibacterial and antifungal. In fact it is used in a wide array of products for these specific purposes. In the use of coconut pulling, the oil can act as a detoxifying agent that literally pulls toxins from your mouth, leaving it clear of harmful bacterias that can cause all sorts of problems for your oral health. In fact studies have shown that consistent pulling can reduce the Streptococcus mutans bacteria (a significant contributor to tooth decay), reduce or eliminate gingivitis, decrease plaque, kill bad breath, whiten teeth, among other benefits. In fact, in other studies it has even been shown to improve TMJ symptoms, although these reports have been anecdotal.
With this evidence it is understandable why people are starting to turn to the natural method of coconut pulling to help improve their oral health. But, what does this mean for you, and how can you partake in these benefits? Well, it’s pretty simple. It means that too can try this ancient method that has been keeping people’s mouths healthy long before modern medicine ruled the day. Now that doesn’t mean that you should forsake tooth brushing, dentist visits, or seek medical attention for an infection, but it does open the door to more holistic ways of looking at your oral health. And it’s easy. Literally all you do is load up one tablespoon of coconut oil, stick in your mouth, and gently swish for 10-20 minutes. Just don’t swallow or you’ll be ingesting all those nasty toxins all over again.
So why not kick it like the ancients and try something not so trendy for once, and give coconut pulling a try!
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