Is it good to put coconut oil on your teeth?
Emma Martin
Published Feb 10, 2026
Is it good to put coconut oil on your teeth?
The bottom line Coconut oil has been used for centuries as an effective oral hygiene practice. Current research suggests oil pulling with coconut oil (swishing oil in your mouth for 10 to 20 minutes) may reduce bad bacteria in the mouth, prevent gingivitis and tooth decay, and get rid of bad breath.
Is it safe to whiten teeth with coconut oil?
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.
Can coconut oil damage teeth?
When coconut oil is swished around your mouth, it adheres to harmful bacteria and removes it from the tooth. These harmful bacteria can often lead to cavities, tooth decay, gum disease, and worse.
Can coconut oil remove plaque from teeth?
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 percent decrease in dental plaque.
Can coconut oil regrow gums?
Please remember: With prevention and early detection, you might avoid gum recession. But don’t count on coconut oil, which won’t repair gums but shouldn’t hurt you as long as you continue brushing and flossing. Receding gums won’t magically start growing again, but there are procedures to treat gum loss.
Does coconut oil get rid of yellow teeth?
Coconut oil pulling is said to remove plaque and bacteria from the mouth, which helps to whiten teeth. Always shop for a high quality, organic oil, which you can purchase online, that doesn’t contain harmful ingredients. Swish 1 to 2 teaspoons of liquid coconut oil in your mouth for 10 to 30 minutes.
Do dentists recommend oil pulling?
The American Dental Association (ADA) does not recommend oil pulling to improve oral health or general well-being, citing lack of “reliable scientific evidence.” The ADA instead urges everyone to brush two times a day with a fluoride toothpaste, floss at least once a day, refrain from smoking, and see a dentist for a …
Can I use coconut oil as toothpaste?
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.
Can oil pulling save your teeth?
In fact, some research has found that oil pulling may decrease the number of harmful bacteria found in saliva and plaque as effectively as a mouthwash ( 7 , 8 ). Decreasing these strains of bacteria through oil pulling could help prevent tooth decay and reduce the risk of cavity formation.
How soon will I see results from oil pulling?
How soon will I see results? Most people claim you will see the effects of oil pulling in two weeks or less. With daily oil pulling, your teeth may be noticeably whiter in less than a week.
Can you use coconut oil as toothpaste?
What are the side effects of oil pulling?
Oil Pulling Side Effects There aren’t any known physical side effects from oil pulling. However, you might notice a sore jaw or headache at first from the rigorous motion. If you swallow the oil, it could cause an upset stomach or diarrhoea. Oil pulling should never be used in place of brushing and flossing.
Does rinsing with coconut oil whiten teeth?
Oil pulling is an ancient, Indian folk remedy claimed to whiten your teeth, freshen your breath and greatly improve your oral health. Using coconut oil for oil pulling is becoming increasingly popular. A lot of people swear by this remedy, and many say it also improves their health in other ways.
Would you clean your teeth with coconut oil?
Brush your teeth with coconut oil to prevent cavities, eliminate bad breath and reduce the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Many people use coconut oil on the scalp to kill head lice bacteria and parasites, but coconut oil also works well at killing bad breath causing bacteria in the mouth.
How long does it take coconut oil to whiten teeth?
There is no standard for how long coconut oil for teeth whitening will take, but people use oil pulling as frequently as once a day to as infrequently as once per month. Regular use of this practice should bring some measurable results within 2-3 weeks if used daily.
What kind of coconut oil should you use for teeth?
Make sure to oil pull first thing in the morning right after you get out of bed — before you brush your teeth or drink anything. Gently swish 1–2 tablespoons of coconut oil in your mouth and between your teeth for 10–20 minutes, making sure that you don’t swallow any of the oil.