Tooth whitening has been touted as one of the benefits of a regular oil pulling practice.[1] However, this effect has not been proven in human studies. One in vitro study tested whether oil whitens teeth compared to hydrogen peroxide. Thirty intact human teeth were submerged in saline (salt water) alone, saline with hydrogen peroxide, or saline with coconut, sesame, or sunflower oil. These mixtures were vigorously shaken for 20 minutes, and the procedure was repeated daily for 14 days. At the end of the study, the oils did not significantly improve tooth whiteness compared to the saline control.[2]
Does oil pulling whiten teeth?
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•Last Updated: May 16, 2025
Although tooth whitening is often claimed as a benefit of oil pulling, this effect has not been proven in human studies. An in vitro study found that oils like coconut, sesame, and sunflower did not significantly whiten teeth compared to a saline control.