5. Claim: Whitens Teeth

This claim also comes from the “belief” that coconut oil kills bacteria, and as we already saw, that’s a myth as well.

Many claim that oil pulling – a process of swishing oil in the mouth for about 20-30 minutes before spitting it out – draws out toxins. It is supposed to come from Ayurvedic practices in India, and it is said that the feeling of nausea and headache this process can emit is a form of knowing that its actually working.

We call bull because there is no scientific proof to support these claims. If you want to do it, we see no harm (lest it makes you sick), but its not something that should replace proper, scientifically proven dental care.