In recent years there is a growing trend of oil pulling to improve oral health, but this trend is not new. And indeed the technique of oil pulling or oil swishing has been with us for a long time and is a traditional folk remedy that was mentioned in Ayurvedic medicine for oral health.
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| Credit:todayhealthypeople.com |
People who practice oil pulling absolutely swear by the great benefits oil pulling has done to their oral health, such as brightening their teeth, treating bleeding gums and gingivitis.
This technique didn’t break into mainstream alternative medicine until a naturopath and nutritionist named Bruce Fife wrote about it in his 2008 book Oil Pulling Therapy: Detoxifying and Healing the Body Through Oral Cleansing. Research has also confirmed that oil pulling has great benefits for oral health.
Oil Pulling – the Research
Study #1: Oil puling can reduce plaque and gingivitis
Gingivitis is inflammation of the gum tissue and is one of the most common diseases among the population. This is actually a real epidemic – about 95% adults suffer from periodontal disease of some degree during their lifetime. The source of the infection is bacteria that inhabit the oral cavity, infect the teeth (plaque), hardened and become tartar.
A 2009 study was conducted to compare oil pulling and chlorhexidine (a synthetic compound used as a mild antiseptic) in adolescents with plaque-induced gingivitis. Both oil pulling and chlorhexidine mouthwash were effective against gingivitis.
The researchers concluded: “The oil pulling therapy showed a reduction in the plaque index, modified gingival scores and total colony count of aerobic microorganisms in the plaque of adolescents with plaque-induced gingivitis.”
Study #2: Oil pulling can reduce harmful bacteria in the mouth
Streptococcus Mutans is one of the main bacteria in the mouth and a key player in plaque buildup and tooth decay.
In a study from 2008 with 20 boys, oil pulling (using sesame oil) caused a reduction in the number of Streptococcus Mutans in the plaque in as little as 2 weeks. The researchers concluded that “Oil pulling can be used as an effective preventive adjunct in maintaining and improving oral health”
It was not as effective as a Chlorhexidine mouthwash, but much cheaper and MUCH less nasty.
Study #3: Oil pulling and dental disease
A research paper that was published in the African Journal of Microbiology Research in 2008 concluded: “The effect of oil-pulling on the reduction of total count of bacteria was determined. There was a remarkable reduction in the total count of bacteria. The process of oil-pulling reduced the susceptibility of a host to dental caries.”
Study #4: Oil pulling for maintaining oral hygiene
A review published in 2017 in the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine published information on the effect of oil pulling for dental health. Researchers have found that oil pulling helps to reduce the overall number of bacteria in the mouth and can help reduce the amount of plaque on the teeth. It also helps to address the problem of bleeding gums and improve symptoms of bad breath.
Oil Pulling Using Cold Pressed Oils
This technique involves the use of cold pressed oils to pull harmful bacteria and other organisms out of the mouth, tongue, teeth and gums. Sesame oil, sunflower oil, and coconut oil are the most recommended oils.
Other oils such as extra virgin olive oil or flaxseed have been used too. In any case, using high quality organic oil into the mouth is critical to the effectiveness of this practice. The role of the oil is to pull out toxins from the saliva and acts like an antiseptic mouth wash.
The Practice of Oil Pulling itself is very Simple
Take about 2 tablespoons of oil when you wake up in the morning and before you eat anything. Swish the oil around your mouth, teeth, gums and tongue for about 15-20 minutes (yes, this is not a mistake – you can do it while you prepare yourself for the morning to come, while in the shower, watch TV, or while doing work around the house to help pass the time).
During that time the oil will have changed its color to whiter or yellowish color. Don’t swallow the oil, as the whole aim is to get rid of toxins, so if you swallow any oil, you put the toxins back into your body.
After 20 minutes spit all the oil out (it is recommended not to dispose the oil in the sink drain or the toilet, as the oil accumulates and can clog the pipes).
After spiting all the oil, rinse your mouth thoroughly with water and brush your teeth as usual and floss. After this is done, you can drink and eat as usual.
Dr. Andrew Weil, American medical doctor and naturopath, which writes about holistic health, asks in his website whether oil pulling is a realistic remedy. This is a good question especially when it involves a practice that consumes quite a lot of time every morning and is not particularly pleasant to do.
So the question “to pull or not to pull” still remains, and I will leave it up to you to decide. Have you tried oil pulling? has it helped you? share your experience with the readers.
Disclaimer All content on this website is for informational purposes only and should not be considered to be a specific diagnosis or treatment plan for any individual situation. Use of this website and the information contained herein does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always consult with your own doctor in connection with any questions or issues you may have regarding your own health or the health of others.
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