Oil Pulling

I'm undecided on whether or not oil pulling is hippy bullshit or really cool alternative oral care. I'd read about oil pulling a few years ago and had given it a shot in addition to brushing my teeth. The results? A lot less staining and yellowing. My teeth looked pretty decent. For someone who drink at least 44 oz of soda 5 days a week as well as a ton of iced tea, my teeth looked really white! But then I fell out of the habit.

For those who don't know about oil pulling, you essentially swish coconut oil (or other oil) in your mouth for 15-20 minutes first thing in the morning. That's it. No brushing, no flossing, nothing.

I noticed recently that my gums were receding a bit and I had a dark spot or two along the gum lines of a few teeth.

There's no attractive face I can make to show my gums.

 I still drink a ton of diet soda (it's my one vice), but after oil pulling for about a week, my teeth are pretty white!

I look a little hung over, oops.

As opposed to a dew months ago:

My friend and me at a concert in July.

What got me started again was reading this post from Trina Holden's blog. She recommends organic, cold pressed coconut oil, but I don't like the taste of coconut and already had some regular refined coconut oil in the cabinet. When that runs out I may try organic, refined coconut oil, but I really don't like coconut enough to swish it in my mouth for 15+ minutes.