Just like our skin, I believe our teeth are an indication of personal health and hygiene.
To me, a bright pearly white smile is super important. The whiter the better.
We all love a beautiful smile and it’s the first thing people will see, if you are smiling of course! Being an avid coffee drinker (and red wine too, let’s be honest) I have to constantly work on my white teeth game, but it’s something I take pride in and my ways of keeping a vibrant smile have changed over the past couple years.
I used to take the chemical route.
It was AWFUL and literally HURT my teeth. I’m talking about those expensive Crest Whitestrips. Ever tried eating ice cream or drinking cold water after using white strips?! OWWWW. Then of course there’s the conventional whitening toothpaste AND whitening mouthwash that I used on a daily basis (read more here on why you should ditch your mouthwash ASAP).
If you enjoy your mouth burning, your gums melting away and sensitive-to-everything teeth, then go for the chemical route but I’m telling you, there’s a better, much healthier way… and it doesn’t involve chemicals or strips of any kind.
It involves one thing and you’ve definitely heard of it before because the internet has gone bananas over it.
OIL PULLING WITH COCONUT OIL.
It’s the best thing ever. Total game-changer.
I always figured oil pulling was for oral health in general, not for whitening purposes, but I was wrong! Ever since my post on natural oral care products, I’ve been oil pulling with CocoRinse (and with good old raw organic coconut oil) and have noticed some major whitening magic. Now I’m addicted and can’t go a day without doing it, even if it’s only for 10 minutes (I’m doing it right now because I’m a weirdo).
I enjoy the CocoRinse product because it ups my oil pulling game with minty freshness (from spearmint & peppermint essential oil) is great for travel and on-the-go, has super cute perfectly-portioned recyclable packaging and is affordable. I’ll also switch it up with this organic coconut oil
What is oil pulling?
The concept of oil pulling is an ayurvedic tradition used for thousands of years to clean and detoxify the teeth and gums. It’s the act of swishing around oil in the mouth for 20 minutes to improve gum health, with the added effect of whitening. Since oil is “sticky”, it navigates around your mouth, up into pockets and tiny areas where a toothbrush can?t reach. Think of it as a natural antimicrobial mouthwash, where it dissolves bacteria and pulls out toxins, food remnants and nastiness.
Coconut oil is my go-to oil for this, but any vegetable-based oil will work (sesame, sunflower or olive oil) just make sure they are raw, organic and unrefined. Coconut oil never ceases to amaze me… anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory – plus I love the taste! (I’ve been using it on my dog bite battle wounds too)
What are the benefits of oil pulling?
Since the coconut oil cuts through plaque, removes toxins and kills bacteria without disturbing our teeth or gums, it’s a friendly and inexpensive way to care for those pearly whites. Oil pulling is much less abrasive, doesn’t burn, doesn’t strip away precious enamel, doesn’t hurt your teeth or make them sensitive and is ALL-NATURAL, which you know I’m all about.
Not only does it clean and whiten your teeth, it eliminates bad breath by killing off bacteria, prevents cavities and gingivitis and + has been known to ease symptoms of acne/eczema/psoriasis/ & other skin issues.
How to Oil Pull
Before brushing your teeth and eating/drinking anything in the morning, do this:
- Scoop out one tablespoon of coconut oil.
- Let it melt in your mouth, then swoosh, swoosh for 20 minutes – I know it sounds like an eternity but there’s plenty of things you could get done during this time! I like to make coffee, blend up a green smoothie, snuggle with Taz and start checking emails. It just becomes apart of your routine, like working out.
- DO NOT swallow any of it! There’s bacteria and nastiness floating around. SPIT IT OUT IN THE TRASH, not in the sink as it will solidify and cause havoc on your pipes.
- Rinse mouth with warm water.
- Now floss, brush and go about your day with extra clean sparkling teeth!
[GIVEAWAY CLOSED] Okay, now onto the super special giveaway and the 14-day Oil-Pulling Challenge!
I’ve teamed up with the lovely people at BOKA to give away FIVE TWO-WEEK TRIALS OF COCORINSE!
Yep! Five lucky winners will be able to try CocoRinse with me for 14 days.
All you have to do is:
Leave a comment below and share your favorite beauty-related use for coconut oil. If you don’t have any, just share why you want to win! I’ll be choosing a winner on Tuesday, May 10th. Good luck!
Also, anyone can participate in the 14-Day Oil-Pulling Challenge, starting whenever you want! It’s about trying something new, even if it seems weird and sticking to it for 14 days. Hopefully by then it will start to feel like a habit and you will enjoy it as you’ll start to notice improvements. Use the hashtag #theglowingfridge to share your experience on social media with me, I want to hear all about it 🙂
Happy swishing!
I know im a little late but ill comment anyway .. I use coconut oil for almost everything but the main thing i use it for is to feed it to my dog daisy to help her poop BC she has pooping issues. she loves it and it makes her breath smell better which is a plus!
Hey Shannon! I found this post after watching you on Snapchat. 🙂
I have two big jars of organic coconut oil that I use as eye makeup remover, shaving cream, and I mix it with tea tree oil for a natural insect repellent on hikes!
I tried to do oil pulling with my regular coconut oil, but I don’t like the taste and it made it unbearable. I would really like to try BOKA since it’s minty flavored. Yum.
Like most people leaving comments we use it as a lotion, hair conditioner but I also mix it with chopped garlic as an acne treatment
Coconut oil is seriously da bomb. I use it for everything. Dry hair? Coconut oil. Razor burn? Coconut oil. Better teeth? Coconut oil. Cooking? Coconut oil. Boyfriend acting up? Coconut oil.
I’m so glad I introduced this to my life. It’s so good, yet so versatile. Don’t know what I’d do without it.
I love coconut oil and use it so often! I use it on sunburns, as a makeup remover, and as a deep hair conditioner. I have tried to oil pull a couple times before but I always have trouble doing it consistently. I would love to win this because the two week pack will help me to get into the habit of doing it everyday!
Oatmeal, stirfry, soup, hands,hair,dog…in that order.
I use coconut oil as a total body moisturizer and love it!
I use it as a shaving cream – it makes your skin feel so smooth and soft afterwards!
I like to use it as a moisturizer for my hands and cuticles.
I like to use coconut oil as a deep conditioner for my hair. It makes it so soft and shiny!
My hair. I try to use coconut oil once a week to set my hair back to not-crazy!
I have been meaning to try the oil pulling for my oral health and teeth whitening!
I use coconut oil for EVERYTHING! I’ve recently started oil pulling using coconut oil and I absolutely love it. I have Celiac disease, and regular mouthwashes are too harsh for my teeth and gums. Coconut oil is gentle, but still effective!
i use it instead of lotion
I would love to try this product because I love red wine too!!!! I’m noticing that as I’m getting older my teeth just aren’t as bright as they used to be. This two week trial would be perfect for a wedding I have coming up this summer!
I LOVE using CO as a make up remover & making lip sugar scrubs with it.
I use coconut oil every night to remove eye makeup and condition my skin. So many possibilities!
This is the first time I have ever heard of oil pulling and now I cannot wait to try it. I too struggle with teeth sensitivity and have been looking for a better way to brighten up my smile without having to pay an exorbitant amount of money at the dentist. Your post was VERY interesting and informative! Currently I use coconut oil for creamer in my coffee (I blend my coffee with stevia and coconut oil instead of using creamer), on sunburns, and often times when I choose not to wear makeup I will apply it to my cheekbones and eyelids to add a glow.
I used coconut oil on my son when he was a baby for diaper rash and now I use it on his dry skin – we love it! I cook with it exclusively when I actually use oil. Dying to try oil pulling, just afraid of the commitment!! Definitely going to check out cocorinse!
I use coconut oil for many things – a deep hair conditioner, eye make up remover, body “lotion” and in cooking/baking.
I’ve tried oil pulling with melted coconut oil and it continually made me nauseous, so I would love to try Cocorinse – I think the minty flavor would make a huge difference!
I live coconut oil as a make up remover and moisturizer! It makes my skin look and feel wonderful! I also use it as stretch mark cream!
I’ve used coconut oil on my face in different ways. One, to help take off my makeup and moisturize. I’m still skeptical about some of the uses, because it IS oil, so I’m scared to use it in some ways, but I’m very curious and would love to try this!! I’m also reading the comments and getting ideas, so thank you.
What don’t I use coconut oil for lol! Seriously, I started using it when my son was born because I know how toxic some of the bigger name baby products are. I used it on him as an after bath moisturizer with some lavender essential oil, as a diaper rash cream, and for cradle cap.
I cook with it occasionally(we are doing no oil cooking for the most part), use the fractionated version for all my essential oil needs, it has become my eye makeup remover, and now my moisturizer in the winter when my skin is super dry. Occasionally I will add it to smoothies if I want a little flavor, I use it in my coffee, the list goes on and on.
My first Boca box arrived a few weeks ago and I LOVED the samples of cocorinse that came with it. I’m thinking about adding it to my next delivery.
Thanks for all the great stuff you post! Love the blog!!
I use organic coconut oil for oil pulling and it is a great makeup remover!
Great post on oil pulling. I’ve been hearing about it for awhile, now. The benefits are so abundant, I can’t think of why I haven’t tried it, yet!!
The pre-measured doses are a really cool product, and doing a 14 day challenge is a great idea. Maybe this is just the motivation I need to finally get around to it!?!
I’m not sure if you’d call it “beauty”, exactly, but one of my favorite body care uses for coconut oil is as a deodorant. I mix it into a paste with a bit of baking soda, and it’s amazingly effective! AND…no icky chemicals going into my body. WIN-WIN!
I have been using coconut oil as a makeup remover and to help hydrate my skin during those harsh winter months 🙂
I just love it and of course I cook with it and put some in my smoothies 🙂
I use coconut oil to smooth my skin after a shower and help remove my makeup at night. So many great uses
I USE COCONUT OIL TO REMOVE MY EYE MAKEUP! VERY GENTLE AND EFFECTIVE 🙂
Hey friend! I am so stoked for this giveaway. So, a year ago around this time I had TERRIBLE SKIN. Granted, I was still eating processed junk and meat, and really my skin was taking a beating. I found your blog around this time and got your Vegan Starter Guide, and it changed me life. Then, I started to really get passionate about cruelty beauty, so I wanted to find a way to change my skincare regime. I read that coconut oil works great as a moisturizer. So, I ditched my lotion and started using coconut oil day and night. Eventually, I started making blends with essential oils based on how my skin was feeling, and now I really feel like I am getting “The Glow Effect”. I am so thankful, and I tell everyone. Coconut oils cure ALL! 🙂
I use coconut oil as a daily moisturizer on my face, hands and body. Total game changer for you skin and the cost is pennies!
I love using coconut oil as a weekly hair mask! I also use it as a moisturizer and on any mild sunburns! I love coconut oil, it’s literally the best!!
I use coconut oil to tame my curly hair frizzies!
As a child, I was prescribed tetracycline which created havoc with my teeth years later, think no enamel, sensitivity, dark brown spots everywhere, etc. After extensive dental work over the years, I started oil pulling several months ago and find it helps with sensitivities, whitening, and has reduced my periodontal visits by half. I also use coconut oil instead of body oil to reduce any chemicals in my daily routine. I think it has helped with allergies. I also use it on my dogs teeth to help prevent/ reduce tartar. The jury is still out as my Shih Tzu would benefit from braces. Her teeth are so crooked and hold all kinds of gunk. Ick!
I trust Shannon’s advice and am willing to try anything that might remove chemicals from my routine. I hope I win – my fingers are crossed!
Thank you –
I loke to use coconut as a make up removal. Coconut oil is the best!! Its so versatile ❤
Oh yeah! Coconut oil pulling is ahhhmazing! Just last night I mentioned to the hubby that I need to restart my morning habit of oil pulling to help heal my sensitive gums. I also use organic coconut oil to remove my eye makeup before bed. It’s fantastic! Thanks for the great opportunity to try out Boka. Minty coconut oil sounds fab!
I liken it to tame the curls
I started oil pulling with coconut oil about 2 months ago! I love it! However, I travel frequently which makes it really difficult to keep up with; these Boka cocorinse packets could be exactly what I need to stick to it on the road!!
I use organic coconut oil every night after I get out of the shower to get moisture back into my skin and then I use a scaled down version of it every morning (coconut oil that’s been mixed with my favorite lotion–also organic). I use it for all sorts of stuff but I think the weirdest thing I’ve used it for was when we traveled to the desert for a couple months and I kept getting nose bleeds because it was so DRY there… So I took a q-tip and would rub it just inside my nose before bed and that stopped all the nose bleeds! Kinda gross… I know… But it worked! :]
I love to use it for my hair! It makes my hair so soft 🙂
I’ve used coconut oil for so many things that it’s hard to pick just one! I absolutely love applying coconut oil to my skin right after getting out of the shower. It helps my dry patches and clears up splotchiness and bumps. I use it on my daughter to get rid of keratosis. I’m excited to up my coconut oil pulling game by adding a new player. 🙂
Whip up coconut oil, cocoa butter + magnesium oil for an incredible smelling moisturizer and magnesium carrier that will make you want to lick your legs, it smells so good. Oil pulling has been had for me to make into a habit. I think I’ll try again!
Not completely beauty related, but I mix it in my coffee every morning and love the lip benefit I get while doing so. I have oil pulled before and enjoyed it, but it never stuck for some reason. Maybe this product would give me the jumpstart I need.
I use it for many things but beauty wise I’d say using it as a body moisturizer. So great!!!
I have a list of 101 things to do with coconut oil. I have only tried one: using it as shaving cream. After reading your post I am a bit concern about my pipes. How do you suggest I use it in the shower so that it doesn’t cause any harm to the pipes? I really want to use it for a hair mask.
I love to take a shower on Sunday evenings and use coconut oil as an “in shower” moisturizer. It helps me get mentally ready for the week as well as get silky smooth skin!
I love love love coconut oil!!! I have been oil pulling every morning for the last 2 months! It’s amazing! I also use coconut oil as a moisturizer for my entire body. I make your super food coffee often and add it in that plus normal coffee. Eat it on toast. I just received my first Boka box this afternoon. I didn’t order the CocoRinse. Super excited to try it out tonight! Thank you for all your awesome info! Love reading your blog and have learned a lot about going Vegan from you.
Hi! I use coconut oil every morning as a moisturizer, on my hair once a week as a deep conditioner and a tsp. in my coffee because it tastes so yummy. I have extremely sensitive teeth and whitening strips hurt so bad. I do use a whitening toothpaste for sensitive teeth, but it’s not very effective. I am definitely going to try oil pulling and hope I am selected to try Cocorinse! Thanks!
I love coconut oil! I always use it when baking, my favourite is no bake granola bars with coconut oil. I also use it as face moisturizer everyday and to remove make up. In the past I had issues with my gums and tried oil pulling for a couple months and my dentist couldn’t believe how fast my gum health improved! Reading you post was just what I needed… Tomorrow morning I’m gonna start again! I always do it while I shower and get stuff ready for work.
I’d love to try Cocorinse 🙂
Hello from your snapchat friend Anushka! So glad to see a fellow oil puller 🙂 This is the first time I am seeing the Cocorinse option, so cool! Coconut oil is so useful for so many things, and to see an additional option is exciting. I have seborrhea on my face and use coconut oil to cleanse those drier areas, and it’s very effective. I also make a chocolate hemp/flax smoothie and add it in there! Thanks for sharing this and can’t wait to see more of your great posts to come!
I love using coconut oil for my hair! Its a great way to make it shiny and healthy , also makes it smell good hehe.
I’d love to win your prize! Because i do think a smile is the best accessory but also important for someone in a a natural way.
I love coconut oil for baking and as a hair mask! My hair is bleached and coconut oil really does wonders in putting some moisture back into me semi-dead ends haha. I would love to try COCORINSE challenge with you (:
I love coconut oil, I use it for cooking and in my homemade hand lotion and deodorant. Love it and would love to try the Cocorinse!
I don’t know very much about uses for coconut oil. I’ve heard a lot about oil pulling, but am nervous about trying it. I think CocoRinse would be a great way to get into it!
Love coco rinse. I have been telling my friends. As for coconut oil, I use it in cooking, on my skin, my hair. Love it! Love your blog, Shannon. ❤️
Hello, I use coconut oil for everything from cooking to using it on my skin and hair. all am missing is using it on my teeth . would love to try it out.
🙂 Your “Meet Shannon” picture should be with a big, toothy white smile. 🙂
Does this qualify me?
Thanks.
I am sonewhat new to using coconut oil! I’ve been subbing it in recipes for cooking and baking as well as with weird skin rashes or dry skin on my little baby girl! I also make a shower scrub with that and organic coffee grinds mm mm. I have never tried oil pulling and would LOVE to give this a try.. Just so happens I was talking to my hubby about trying crest whitestrips but not now after reading! Pick me!! 😀
I have tried oil pulling before with coconut oil, but I have not heard of Boka cocorinse. I use coconut oil for making my hair and skin so very soft.
I have tried oil pulling before with coconut oil, but I have not heard of Boka cocorinse. I use cocnut oil for making my hair and skin so very soft.
I haven’t used coconut oil yet, but I’m dying to give it a try. I really want to win because I’ve been working towards becoming an informed consumer that cares about her body as the world and Cocorinse will help me do just that!
I LOVE COCONUT OIL. I’ve never tried oil pulling, but I use it to take my waterproof mascara off everyday and I’ve notice a significant different in my eyelashes (thickness and length)!! I use it to make hair masks and as cuticle oil. I also make a lot of desserts with it in place of butter!
I am a medical aesthetician and as much as I should be recommending prescription equivalent products for tricky skin conditions, my all time go to is virgin unrefined organic coconut oil. It helps with so many different skin ailments. I am a regular coconut oil user, after a bath or shower as moisturizer for my combination skin and also as a makeup remover. I have recently started stirring a spoonful in my morning coffee and I can tell quite a difference in my energy levels mid day. I would love to try the new product, a fresh minty taste would really help with the oil pulling
I am addicted to oil pulling and love it. It makes my teeth healthier and whiter. I miss it when I am away from home. Boka sounds like the perfect way to take it with me and the mint essential oils are better than any mouthwash on the market. Thanks for a great review and beautiful giveaway. Dana
I’ve never heard of oil pulling but I’d really like to try it because boy does mouthwash really burn my gums. My favorite use for coconut oil is a hair mask before I shower for extra moisture
I am in love with coconut oil. I swear by it.
I used to be very doubtful of it, until I used it on my daughter for her cradle cap. One treatment and it was gone! I was so shocked. I always tell people to use it for dry scalp of for their children’s skin issues (my little one has excema so another great use!)
Now I use it for everything, hair, skin, nails….and of course cooking! I never thought of doing oil pulling with it though. Oil pulling makes me nervous but I think this Boka stuff would really help me get over my nervousness.
I use coconut oil on my face to remove make up….it leaves a silky smooth finish.
Love your blog….3 of your recipes are my “go to” favorites & I don’t go a week without making at least one! I can’t believe they are so healthy because they
taste so great! Thank you!
Barbie
I have heard of oil pulling but never really understood it’s benefits…thank you for your simple descriptions and encouragement to try…guess I should ditch the whitening mouthwash? I am sure this attributes to that “sensitivity” I have to cold eats…especially oranges! Strange huh? Ok you convinced me…gonna give it a try. I use coconut oil on my hair at night…just a small amount on the ends…helps with dry and dull hair~would love a win to try it out~
Love Coconut oil!! I use it on my smoothies, as a moisturizer and eat it strait out of the jar; Helps me with my irregularity. I will definitely be trying pulling.
So excited! I’ve been wanting to try oil pulling for awhile now, so thanks for the instructions! 🙂 I love using coconut oil on the ends of my hair as a conditioning mask at night!
I like to use it for my hair and I’m definitely excited to win this!
I have a love affair with coconut oil – but WHY ON EARTH have I never tried pulling. I have no idea – but what a great idea!! I like that theres a minty aspect to these oil pulls. Can’t wait to try it- and I would love to win a sample! 🙂
I would love to win the Cocorinse! I am a huge fan of the Glowing Fridge and love to use coconut oil for everything–between oil pulling, cleaning, skin and hair hydration or even cooking. I mainly use coconut oil as an eye makeup remover or I mix it with baking soda as a pre-wash before brushing!
I’ve tried oil pulling with coconut oil before and love it! I think the added minty freshness would make it a little more enjoyable to oil pull 🙂
I use coconut oil under my eyes every night. It keeps my face moisturized and glowing every morning! I love it!!!
I love coconut oil! My favorite uses are on my hair for a hair mask before I shower and after I shower to moisturize my skin! Would really love to try oil pulling! Because my gums and teeth are so sensitive, I can no longer use whitening strips or whitening tooth paste and have been looking for other ways to whiten my teeth naturally. Thanks for sharing!
I use coconut oil for absolutely everything, I recently started using it as a base of a hair mask and my hair has started growing stronger. I also have been adding activated charcoal to my coconut oil when oil pulling and I see such an incredible difference in my teeth! I really love your blog and the message you’re trying to relay to people it makes me proud to be part of the health community when I come across people such as yourself.
Cheers 🙂
I’ve never tried coconut pulling but I do however sleep in it once a week, Wednesday night, before my tan, and it leaves me silky smooth for my tan the next day! I also use it on my body before I shower and scrub the tan off!
I love coconut oil for everything but especially hair masks! Anxious to try oil pulling!
I started oil pulling a couple of weeks ago after your first post on it. It took me a couple of days to get used to it. I started out slowly with 2 teaspoons and gradually worked up to the full tablespoon. I love the taste of the coconut oil. My mouth feels fresher after using it, and my breath has become even nicer smelling after I started doing it. Thanks for your blog on it Shannon.