Oil pulling has been touted in all the media outlets lately as being one of the hot health remedies promising to whiten teeth, prevent cavities and gum disease and help with other health issues by purging “toxins” from the body and providing pain relief. There are claims that oil pulling can reduce arthritis inflammation, reduce insomnia and correct hormone imbalance.
What is oil pulling?
Oil pulling is the practice of swishing a spoonful of unrefined plant oil (coconut, oil, sesame, sunflower) inside the mouth for up to 20 minutes. The swishing or pulling of the oil throughout the teeth and oral cavity has been practiced in India for over a century. Fans of this technique claim that the pulling and subsequent spitting out of the oil pulls “toxins” out from the teeth and oral cavity.
Is “Oil Pulling” Good for Your Teeth?
To date, there is no real scientific evidence that supports all of the health benefits that proponents of oil pulling claim. There may be a mechanical benefit of oil pulling in that the prolonged swishing time of 10-20 minutes does remove food particles and some bacteria from the mouth. However, swishing for 30 seconds with a mouth rinse that contains essential oils is scientifically proven to reduce plaque and gingivitis.
Bottom line, oil pulling is a poor substitute for modern standard oral hygiene methods such as tooth-brushing, flossing and mouth rinses. It may be better than nothing in developing countries that lack access to modern oral health products. Overall, there appears to be no real harm in oil pulling though there have been reported cases of diarrhea and upset stomach and lipid pneumonia from accidentally breathing in the oil.
