Why does oil turn white after oil pulling?

Traditionally, when oil turns white after prolonged oil pulling, this is thought to be visual proof that the oil has absorbed bacteria and toxins from the tongue and the mouth.^[1] However, another explanation is that after being swished around in the mouth for 5 minutes or longer, the oil becomes emulsified by enzymes in the saliva. Emulsification means that the oil particles are mixed evenly with water particles (from the saliva) and do not quickly separate into unmixed water and oil layers.^[2] (Mayonnaise is an example of emulsification.) Of note, the water-saliva emulsification can contain microbes from the saliva, and spitting out this mixture can reduce microbe content in the oral cavity. But the reason that the oil turns white is likely due to the saliva enzymes and not the microbe content.