Do I brush teeth before or after oil pulling?

Author: Carrie Renner  |  Last update: Wednesday, July 30, 2025

You don't have to brush your teeth before oil pulling. 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.

Do you brush your teeth before or after oil?

It's recommended to brush your teeth after oil pulling. This ensures that any loosened plaque or bacteria are effectively removed from your mouth, maximising the oral health benefits of both oil pulling and brushing.

Why do dentists not recommend oil pulling?

Currently, there are no reliable scientific studies to show that oil pulling reduces cavities, whitens teeth or improves oral health and well-being. Based on the lack of scientific evidence, the American Dental Association does not recommend oil pulling as a dental hygiene practice.

When is the best time to do oil pulling?

Oil pulling should be ideally performed daily morning on empty stomach before brushing teeth and care should be taken that oil is not swallowed.

What is the right way to do oil pulling?

Oil pulling is done every morning on an empty stomach. Place a tablespoon of edible oil (typically sesame or coconut) in your mouth and swish it vigorously through your teeth for about 3 to 20 minutes while keeping your mouth closed. After you're done, spit out the oil and rinse your mouth with warm water.

The Treatment for Tooth Decay that Reversed my 5 Cavities in 3 Months!!

Is it better to oil pull before or after brushing?

You'll also want to get your brushing done before you "pull" so that you don't brush away the helpful compounds in the oil you use. So, brush for 2 minutes, floss and then start your oil pull to get the best results.

Can oil pulling reverse cavities?

By reducing the number of bacteria in your mouth, oil pulling can prevent _cavities. Once damage from tooth decay has _already happened, the oil cannot reverse this damage. A tooth with a hole can only be repaired with a dental filling. If the hole is deep, then a root canal or a crown may be needed.

How soon will I see results from oil pulling?

Research suggests that it can take as little as two weeks and up to 45 days to see the benefits of oil pulling, per a study in the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine.

Is it OK to do oil pulling everyday?

Extended swishing with oil may lead to jaw fatigue or discomfort in some individuals. Consequently, performing oil pulling daily could become physically taxing or even unpleasant for them. In such cases, moderating the frequency of oil swishing sessions might be more practical and comfortable.

Is 5 minutes of oil pulling enough?

Start with just 5 minutes a day. Twenty minutes of swishing is a long time, and while the longer you pull, the more bacteria you'll remove, 5 or 10 minutes will still offer some benefit. Also, if your jaw starts aching a few minutes in, slow down.

Does oil pulling really whiten teeth?

Oil pulling might be popular in some circles, but in the end, its whitening and oral health benefits are inconclusive. If you really want whitening results, rely on the ingredients that have been proven to work.

How to reverse cavities at home?

Studies in the British Medical Journal suggest that a change in diet can actually reverse tooth decay. Easy adjustments can be made to your diet immediately like: Consuming more calcium rich foods (i.e. kale, collards, broccoli rabe and dairy) which can help strengthen your bones and teeth.

Can oil pulling damage teeth?

Dental health experts also caution that oil pulling—and especially brushing right after—could weaken your teeth' enamel. 12 While oil pulling may not directly damage your teeth, it could make them more vulnerable to damage.

Can I do oil pulling before bed?

Yes! You can do oil pulling more than once a day whenever you feel like you need to feel fresh and active. It doesn't have any side effects whatsoever. We even recommend people with serious sleeplessness problems to practice oil pulling twice day – once in the morning and again in the night few minutes before sleep.

Can oil pulling close gaps in teeth?

While there is limited scientific research on oil pulling, some studies suggest that it may help reduce harmful bacteria in the mouth, which can contribute to improved gum health. The idea is that healthier gums can, over time, contribute to a reduction in the gap between your teeth.

How fast does coconut oil whiten teeth?

It is important to note that coconut oil pulling is not a quick fix for teeth whitening. It may take several weeks or months of consistent oil pulling to see noticeable results. Additionally, coconut oil pulling should not be used as a substitute for regular brushing and flossing.

Can you lose weight with oil pulling?

At the most, it can be an adjunct therapy for weight loss. Oil pulling may not be a life changing medical miracle and the benefits may be unproven, but it sure helps maintain oral hygiene and gum health.

Can I brush my teeth right after oil pulling?

You don't have to brush your teeth before oil pulling. 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.

How long does oil pulling take to remove plaque?

Place a tablespoon of coconut oil in the mouth. Anyone who does not like the taste might try sesame oil or olive oil. Sitting upright or standing, swish the oil around the mouth for 15 to 20 minutes . If keeping the oil inside the mouth is difficult, start with 5 or 10 minutes and slowly increase the duration.

Do you tongue scrape before oil pulling?

You should scrape your tongue after oil pulling. Oil pulling is the practice of swishing oil, typically coconut, sesame, or sunflower oil, in your mouth for about 15 to 20 minutes to draw out toxins and bacteria. After spitting out the oil, rinse your mouth with warm water to remove any remaining oil residue.

Does oil pulling remove yellow teeth?

Oil pulling to whiten teeth

This trend-of-the-moment whitening technique has been talked up on many a beauty blog, but does it actually work? In short, no, not in a way that has been scientifically proven to date.

What does a stage 1 cavity look like?

In early stages, tooth decay can appear as white, brown, or black spots on the tooth. In more advanced stages, tooth decay leads to holes forming in the tooth, or the cavity. If left untreated, more extensive decay can progress toward the center of the tooth where the nerve is.

Should you floss before or after brushing?

Recent research suggests flossing before brushing your teeth is the way to go. This approach is superior for eliminating dental plaque on tooth surfaces and boosts the fluoride concentration in your mouth. Flossing before brushing helps strengthen your tooth enamel, making it more resistant to decay.

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