Oil Pulling

Laralyn
Laralyn Member Posts: 532
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Hi, folks! I've been quiet lately, but still visiting several times a week to check in on everyone. I'm doing just fine--had my slightly early two year check-up last week and got the word NED again, which was great news! I'd had breathing problems a couple months ago that were scary (and of course, my first thoughts went to lung mets) but it turns out that it was a sign of acid reflux. I'd assumed the burning in my throat and persistent cough were from the radiation aftermath, but it turns out there was another cause. I wanted to mention that in case anyone here goes through something similar.

At any rate, I'm here to talk about oil pulling! I'd read about it a couple years ago, but when it came up again recently with more studies backing it, I decided to give it a try. Basically you swish coconut oil around in your mouth for 10-20 minutes, then spit it out. There are several benefits: it reduces the bacteria in your mouth which in turn reduces cavities, it cleans between your teeth, and it keeps your teeth whiter. Reducing the bacteria is what attracted me to it because we know how much we have to pay attention to our teeth after radiation. One benefit they didn't mention is that the oil seems to be absorbed a bit by my cheeks and gums. Afterward, my mouth feels less dry.

It takes a little getting used to, but I'm sticking with it and wanted to post here in case it helps other people too. I'm not talking about the other supposed benefits of oil pulling here--it's supposed to help with a host of issues that I personally consider pretty dubious--but there are some studies backing up the benefits of oil pulling on oral health.

http://wellnessmama.com/7866/oil-pulling-for-oral-health/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/12/oil-pulling_n_4943808.html

Comments

  • KTeacher
    KTeacher Member Posts: 1,103 Member
    #2
    Thank you

    Thank you for posting.  I have read about oil pulling but never 'knew' anyone that had actually done it.  I was wondering about moisture for mouth.  I will read the information that you posted.  Also glad to hear NED.  Acid reflux isn't fun but there is med (if your insurance company will accept it).  I took Nexium, worked very well, insurance no longer pays for it so I needed to change meds.

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,724 Member
    #3
    NED

    Laralyn,

    Congratulations on meeting NED at your 2 year anniversary. I am glad (in a weird way) to learn you have acid reflux.  Our minds do wonder when anything seems amiss.

    I will have to give the coconut oil a “look see”.  My teeth are one of my concerns.

    Matt

  • patricke
    patricke Member Posts: 570 Member
    #4
    PULLING OIL

    Hey Laralyn, 

    First of all, CONGRATULATIONS on the NED, and I'm glad to hear that the scary symptoms that you had were not beast related, that's all great news!!  Thanks for the information about oil pulling, but I kinda think that oil swishing would be a more apt name for this process, but that's just me.  Coconut oil is a great oil that does have many healthy uses, Doc Oz has lauded it on more than one show, and now this is a great benefit for us in particular.  I must say, this is a slick suggestion......... oil vey, really..........I'm just nuts about this one....... I'll stop now.  Keep it movin forward!

    PATRICK

  • KB56
    KB56 Member Posts: 318 Member
    #5
    Coconut Oil

    Laralyn, first congratulations on the 2 year NED mark... Fantastic!

    I'll have to check into the coconut oil as like Matt, I am concerned about my teeth and brushing, flossing, flouride treatment every night and basically avoiding anything that might be bad wherever possible.     If this helps it's worth a try.    If it would help keep the Thrush at bay I would do it for sure as I am almost to my 11th month post treatment and still dealing with Thrush!

     

    Thanks for the tip and congratulations again on the 2 year mark!

    Keith

  • debbiejeanne
    debbiejeanne Member Posts: 3,102 Member
    #6
    laralyn, congrats on NED

    laralyn, congrats on NED and 2 years!  fantastic.

    dj

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #7
    Whoo Hoo....whoo HOO!!

    Wonderful news...getting to meet our buddy NED is the best there is in our new abi-normal worlds.  

    I'm going to try the oil pulling.....I just happen to have a huge jug of Coconut Oil sitting in my pantry that I used for my dog, MoJo....I haven't opened since I lost him (I wonder if it's still good????).....Don't have to worry about my teeth, but I did have thrush 3 times since January....and swallowing it has to be good for skin and hair....all those Omega's. 

    I'm not too far behind you on my own 2 year NED.....cross your fingers for me.

    p

  • lornal
    lornal Member Posts: 428
    #8
    patricke said:

    PULLING OIL

    Hey Laralyn, 

    First of all, CONGRATULATIONS on the NED, and I'm glad to hear that the scary symptoms that you had were not beast related, that's all great news!!  Thanks for the information about oil pulling, but I kinda think that oil swishing would be a more apt name for this process, but that's just me.  Coconut oil is a great oil that does have many healthy uses, Doc Oz has lauded it on more than one show, and now this is a great benefit for us in particular.  I must say, this is a slick suggestion......... oil vey, really..........I'm just nuts about this one....... I'll stop now.  Keep it movin forward!

    PATRICK

    Hey Patrick

    At least if WE tried this - we can still breath - and wouldn't have to worry about it going down the wrong waySealed

    But if coconut oil tastes anything l like coconut - I'll pass (I was going to say or smells like coconut - but I can't say that anymore)

    Lorna

  • Laralyn
    Laralyn Member Posts: 532
    #9
    phrannie51 said:

    Whoo Hoo....whoo HOO!!

    Wonderful news...getting to meet our buddy NED is the best there is in our new abi-normal worlds.  

    I'm going to try the oil pulling.....I just happen to have a huge jug of Coconut Oil sitting in my pantry that I used for my dog, MoJo....I haven't opened since I lost him (I wonder if it's still good????).....Don't have to worry about my teeth, but I did have thrush 3 times since January....and swallowing it has to be good for skin and hair....all those Omega's. 

    I'm not too far behind you on my own 2 year NED.....cross your fingers for me.

    p

    I'm sure you'll hear NED too!

    I'm sure you'll hear NED too! When is your appointment? I didn't have a PET scan, which surprised me, but I know they have a lot of radiation and are trying to cut down on them unless there's a reason to suspect recurrance. 

    When you try oil pulling, don't swallow the oil! It apparently has all the bacteria trapped in it, so you want to spit it out. They recommend spitting into the trash so it doesn't clog your drains. :-)

  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #10
    Hi Laralyn

     

    Glad to hear the NED news, keep on doing what you are doing. My daughter told me about oil pulling I tried it a few times but seemed to be more of a mess to me than anything else, but who knows maybe I needed to keep doing it.

    Tim Hondo

  • NelsonOng
    NelsonOng Member Posts: 47
    #11
    Hondo said:

    Hi Laralyn

     

    Glad to hear the NED news, keep on doing what you are doing. My daughter told me about oil pulling I tried it a few times but seemed to be more of a mess to me than anything else, but who knows maybe I needed to keep doing it.

    Tim Hondo

    Congrats to your super NED

    I'm post one year and I am doing fine. Going to see dentist for trying to fix a denture on my left lower law as  I lost my left jaw during my 15 hour brutal surgery to get the tumour out. now dentist may want to reassure that my flap n fibula (now becomes my jaw) is good to fix the denture.  My appt is on 7 May and I shall see what happens.

    i have been doing oil pulling for 4 years. I stopped doing it during my surgery and treatment time. I pick it back 3 mths post and it somewhat helps on dry mouth. Everybody is different and some of my friends even can't put oil into their mouth. Some say by 3 mins... Game over ... LOL. I have no problem swishing for 20 mins every morning and after I spit out into a small plastic bag, I use lukewarm water to rinse out any bacteria that is left inside my mouth. Very important is NOT TO SWALLOW as after swishing, there are bacterial mixing with the oil.   When you spit out, you will find that the oil is milky. 

    Today I still has dry mouth but is much better.  Oil pulling also helps to maintain your teeth, gum and jaw.  Nothing to loose and you may just try. Coconut oil still the best for me.  Cheers and happy pulling.

    Nelson

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #12
    Laralyn said:

    I'm sure you'll hear NED too!

    I'm sure you'll hear NED too! When is your appointment? I didn't have a PET scan, which surprised me, but I know they have a lot of radiation and are trying to cut down on them unless there's a reason to suspect recurrance. 

    When you try oil pulling, don't swallow the oil! It apparently has all the bacteria trapped in it, so you want to spit it out. They recommend spitting into the trash so it doesn't clog your drains. :-)

    Oops...I swallowed

    Did it last night for the first time....a teaspoon for me, and teaspoon for Lola.  Tonight I'll spit it out.  I thought it was going to be like putting Crisco in my mouth, but it's not!!  It's very pleasent to taste, and isn't greasy at all. 

    p

  • jim and i
    jim and i Member Posts: 1,788 Member
    #13
    Congrats Laralyn on NED for

    Congrats Laralyn on NED for second year. Praying for many more

    Debbie

  • TracyLynn72
    TracyLynn72 Member Posts: 839
    #14
    I asked about this on another site

    and the replies were amazing!  A LOT of people I know are doing this.  I'm going to try it starting tomorrow!!!!!  Thanks for posting!

  • KB56
    KB56 Member Posts: 318 Member
    #15
    TracyLynn72 said:

    I asked about this on another site

    and the replies were amazing!  A LOT of people I know are doing this.  I'm going to try it starting tomorrow!!!!!  Thanks for posting!

    Oil pulling

    I did my first one today.  20 minutes is a LONG time and the coconut oil kind of doubles in your mouth as it's solid and melts after a little bit.   I 'll keep trying it to see if I notice a change.  

     

    Keith

  • donfoo
    donfoo Member Posts: 1,773 Member
    #16
    Congrats!

    Happy to hear you crossing the two year mark!

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