Last week my friend Lizzy had me pick up a jar of coconut oil from Whole Foods, saying she wanted to try out this new "thing" she had heard about -- Oil Pulling -- She said it was great for your teeth and it can clear up your skin, etc., etc. 

The idea: Swish a spoonful of oil (coconut, sunflower, or sesame are most popular) in your mouth for 10 to 20 minutes. Then spit it out in the trash.

Ever since she told me all about it, I have seen this term pop up all over Facebook. Friends posting links to websites talking about it. BlogHer & PopSugar Fitness posting about it, other friends asking about it.

Friends opinions and blog posts vary about if it works, many saying it is simply a placebo effect, others say they have given up brushing their teeth (uh, eww). My sister who works for a dentist office has never heard of the term, and said it was not a good idea to give up on other forms of dental hygiene. 

But.... In the name of science, or just general curiousity, I figure I should try it out for myself (and, yes, I will still brush my teeth).  Let's see how long I can last. 20 minutes a day is a long time, but I work from home.