Oil Pulling - How it Got Rid of My Mouth Sores During Chemo

I’ll be honest—when I first heard about oil pulling, I thought it sounded like one of those trendy wellness things I’d scroll past on Instagram. But after my second round of chemo left my mouth full of big canker-like sores and completely wrecked, I was willing to try anything. That’s when I stumbled on a blog post by Cancer’s a Bitch called “Oil Pulling”, and it completely changed how I cared for my mouth during treatment.

For those who haven’t heard of it, oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic practice that involves swishing a tablespoon of oil (I used organic coconut, but I’ve heard sesame oil works too) around your mouth for 10–20 minutes. The idea is that the oil “pulls” toxins, bacteria, and debris from your gums, tongue, and teeth, helping to detoxify your mouth and improve oral health. It’s a simple, natural method that’s been used for centuries—and it turns out, it’s incredibly helpful during chemo.

One of the most miserable side effects of chemotherapy is mucositis, or inflammation of the lining of the mouth and digestive tract. It makes eating, talking, and sometimes even swallowing painful. The standard prescription is “magic mouthwash,” a pharmacy-mixed solution often containing lidocaine, antihistamines, and sometimes steroids. I tried it. It numbed my mouth temporarily, but it didn’t promote healing—and worse, it left a bitter aftertaste and often caused nausea.

Oil pulling, on the other hand, became my daily ritual. I started with a teaspoon of organic coconut oil at bedtime before brushing my teeth. The first time felt strange (and 20 minutes is a long time to swish), but I quickly adjusted. I scrolled social to distract myself, which I highly recommend. Within a day, I noticed an immediate difference: my mouth sores were half the size and totally painless. My mouth was less inflamed, and I didn’t have that thick, metallic chemo taste anymore.

Coconut oil has natural antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, which help reduce the harmful bacteria that can thrive when your immune system is down. Unlike magic mouthwash, which just masked the pain, oil pulling seemed to actually soothe and protect the tissues in my mouth. And the best part? No prescription needed. No side effects. No chemicals I couldn’t pronounce.

Of course, oil pulling isn’t a one-time cure-all. I stayed vigilant with hydration and gentle brushing. But adding oil pulling to my self-care routine gave me a sense of agency—something natural I could do every day to support my healing. If I missed a night, because I was too tired or lazy (or both), a new sore popped up the next morning. I quickly learned to prioritize this daily self-care and never skipped it again. It made me feel like I was participating in my recovery, not just enduring it.

I’m so grateful for that Cancer’s a Bitch blog post for nudging me to try something outside the box. If you’re going through chemo and struggling with mouth pain or dryness, I highly recommend giving oil pulling a try. Start slow, be consistent, and see how your body responds.

Sometimes the oldest remedies really are the best.