This post was most recently updated on March 30th, 2020
I don’t use conventional toothpaste that contains triclosan, SLS, and other nasties. I use alternatives and practice oil pulling. Alternatives include charcoal toothpaste and charcoal powder for cleaning teeth.
I started oil pulling with sesame oil every day when I discovered I had gingivitis, which causes receding gums. It helped me regain healthy gums. I now practice oil pulling every few weeks for maintenance.
I find doing this is far cheaper than a trip to the dentist.
Having healthy teeth and gums is vital for our overall health. (In between times I use clay toothpaste or other alternatives that are free of SLS, paraben, and fluoride.)
Oil Pulling Benefits
There is much written about oil pulling that goes beyond dental care in regards to wellness.
Does Oil Pulling Work?
I found oil pulling works wonders. Threatened with the expense of spending 1000s of dollars with a periodontist, I took up oil pulling for six weeks. The next oral hygienist visit rated me clear of any periodontal issues. So I can’t recommend it enough.
Best Oil For Oil Pulling
You can use coconut oil for this.
I much prefer to use
Best Coconut Oil For Oil Pulling
What kind of coconut oil for oil pulling? The best coconut
There is also this Ayurvedic blend of coconut, sesame, sunflower, and peppermint oils that has a refreshing taste that you might like to try when starting out.
You could practice oil pulling with olive oil. But once again, cold-pressed virgin olive oil is best. Because virgin olive oil is a heavy type of oil this is not my preferred option. But if it is all you have available, give it a go.
How To Do Oil Pulling
Here’s what I do.
Take about a teaspoon of oil in my mouth, and then close my mouth to swish the oil about, over my teeth and up and down and across my mouth. I continue this for several minutes. You can start with just a couple of minutes and work up as you get used to the experience.
It helps pass this time if you occupy yourself with an activity or you can use the time to sit in contemplation.
After a few minutes, you can spit the oil out into either a facial tissue or into the garden, somewhere that it is not going to cause an issue. Avoid spitting into the bathroom basin or anywhere where it is likely to get into the home’s plumbing as the oil could solidify and cause a blockage. After this, clean your teeth as normal with a toothbrush and rinse.
Charcoal
I’ve used both the charcoal toothpaste and the charcoal powder. Both work well. But I found my brush with charcoal powder ends in a messy outcome. And it didn’t offer me the whiteness I had hoped.
Others will swear by it.
If you’ve had success with charcoal powder, or any other natural method of dental care, let me know in the comments section below.