Should you try oil pulling for whiter teeth? What dentists say

Plus, how a teacher traveled to every country on Earth, and Kristi Yamaguchi's new Barbie.   THIS IS TODAY May 3, 2024 [VIEW IN BROWSER]( THIS IS TODAY Thousands of people have been arrested over the past three weeks as pro-Palestinian protests continue to roil college campuses. Plus, how a second-grade teacher was able to travel to 193 countries on a budget, and tips to help keep the pounds off after weight loss.   The Latest   [More than 2,000 people have been arrested nationwide in pro-Palestinian campus protests](. In the last three weeks, [more than 2,000 people]( have been arrested during pro-Palestinian demonstrations at colleges across the country, putting a spotlight on campus activism, law enforcement tactics and Israel’s war in Gaza. [Protests at Columbia and UCLA]( have drawn the most spotlight, but there have been at least [100 arrests apiece at 8 campuses](, including Northeastern University in Boston and the University of Texas at Austin, [provoking conversations]( about how universities should enforce laws without infringing on speech. President Biden [weighed in]( yesterday, saying that "order must prevail." [Here's the latest](. [✈️ A teacher became a rare person to visit every country in the world. Here's how she did it.]( After Lucy Hsu, 42, checked Syria off her list in May 2023, she had officially [visited all 193 countries]( in the world. Hsu, who teaches second grade in San Jose, California, shared how [volunteer exchange programs]( and stays at hostels helped her achieve her feat on a reasonable budget. She also gave tips on how to stay safe in destinations far from home. [Continue reading](. [🦷 Should you try oil pulling for whiter teeth? Dentists explain the benefits and side effects.]( A centuries-old technique believed to improve dental hygiene has made a comeback on social media: [oil pulling](. The ancient Ayurvedic practice involves swishing an edible oil like coconut oil around your mouth and spitting it out to whiten teeth, reverse tooth decay and more. We spoke to multiple dentists, who noted there [isn't much hard science]( on whether it actually works, but it may reduce bacteria. Plus, there are no harmful effects, either, an expert said. [Here's what dentists recommend](. [🩳 A cargo skirt, layering tees and more stylist-approved Walmart finds — starting at $15](. May can be a tricky month to decide what to wear when the temperature is all over the place. Style expert Jasmine Snow stopped by TODAY for tips on a [transitional wardrobe]( that won't have you constantly taking off and putting on layers. She shared crewneck tees, a mini skirt, a zip-up polo shirt, a jumpsuit and more [finds from Walmart]( starting at just $15. [Shop them here](.       Start TODAY   Achieve your life and health goals with easy tips. Often one of the biggest challenges of significant weight loss can be keeping the pounds off over time. TODAY stage manager Yosef Herzog shared how he [lost 60 pounds 10 years ago and has kept the weight off]( heading into his 40s. A daily running habit that was arduous when he started has become an integral part of his routine along with the [80/20 diet](. "Small changes are sustainable: a healthy food swap at lunch or a 10-minute walk each day," he wrote. [See his advice here](.   What's for dinner?   Allow us to do the meal-planning for you The horses will be charging out of the gate for the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby tomorrow, and who better to plan an at-home party for the big race than Martha Stewart? The lifestyle mogul showed us how to make [deviled eggs](, a [creamy Benedictine dip]( with onion and cucumber, and her take on the signature Kentucky Derby drink: a [lemon-mint julep]( (above). [Get all the recipes here](.   Daily Delight   A little pick-me-up before you go. Figure skater [Kristi Yamaguchi]( made history as the first Asian American Pacific Islander to earn a Winter Olympic gold medal 32 years ago, and now she's been immortalized in another way. Mattel has made a [Barbie doll in Yamaguchi's likeness]( as part of its Inspiring Women collection. Now a mom of two daughters who also loved Barbie as kids, Yamaguchi, 52, told TODAY.com she hopes the doll will "inspire another generation or two of young people to go after their dreams."   Thanks for letting us in your inbox! See you tomorrow. Written by Scott Stump | Edited by Philip Caulfield Enjoying This is TODAY? Invite a friend to[subscribe here.]( Send us Feedback Follow us on Facebook More TODAY Newsletters 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, NY 10112 [Manage Subscriptions]( | [Unsubscribe](listvar=sub_today) | [Privacy]( | [Contact]( [MANAGE SUBSCRIPTION]( | [UNSUBSCRIBE](listvar=sub_today) | [PRIVACY]( | [CONTACT](