DentistryWhat Do Dentists Say About Oil Pulling?

As time passes, old trends pop up and make their way into the spotlight, growing a following while creating a stellar reputation for themselves. We commonly see this in the diet industry; from keto to paleo, low-carb to sugar-free, the trends never end, but the currently popular ones always lose their lackluster. Oil pulling has been in this spot numerous times and is still highly regarded by many. Below we detail dentists’ perspectives and what they think about this ongoing trend.

What Exactly is Oil Pulling?

Oil pulling is the process of swishing oil in your mouth for a decent amount of time, about 15 to 20 minutes, and then spitting it out. The term oil “pulling” comes from the fact that you are quite literally pulling toxins out of your body, not just your mouth.

Where Was Oil Pulling Founded?

The first mention of oil pulling is in ancient Ayurveda practice, with it being known as a surefire way to keep the bad bacteria out of your mouth and your teeth healthy and strong. In ancient times, brushing your teeth was not necessarily as easy as it is today. Oil pulling, however, was always happening, because it is a necessity to detoxify the mouth and get rid of any possible diseases. To this day, some even regard oil pulling as a better remedy for gum disease, bad breath, bad mouth bacteria, and whitening teeth. In fact, Ayurvedic practitioners say that the benefits of oil pulling go far beyond the health of the mouth. It is believed to also reduce migraines, get rid of inflammation, and clear the sinus cavities as shown here.

Does Oil Pulling Actually Work?

Dentists say oil pulling is a great addition to your current routine of brushing twice a day and flossing once a day. Many natural remedies have a cult following from those who believe in the benefits and have gotten personal results, but scientific evidence is hard to come by. Why? Well, it might be because there’s no money in funding a study to show that a simple oil can achieve the same results of numerous expensive drugs on the market. Some people, on the other hand, have noted negative side effects from oil pulling. Natural remedies are a personal choice, and you must give it a try for a prolonged period of time before determining if it works for you or not.

The main claims of people who practice oil pulling say it reduces plaque and whitens their teeth. Although there are other options on the market to achieve these results, like mouthwash, they aren’t completely natural like oil is. Doing the oil pulling, however, is not very comfortable. You have to swish it around for 15 to 20 minutes and during this time the oil doubles in size. The consistency also changes to something most wouldn’t consider pleasant.

Does the American Dental Association Have a Take on This?

Yes, this is the ADA’s exact take:

Currently, there are no reliable scientific studies to show that oil pulling reduces cavities, whitens teeth or improves oral health and well-being. Based on the lack of scientific evidence, the American Dental Association does not recommend oil pulling as a dental hygiene practice. The ADA continues to recommend that to maintain good dental health you brush twice a day for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste and floss between your teeth once a day and don’t use tobacco.

Although they mention it is not recommended, many dentists have personally said it can’t hurt to try it. Do your own due diligence and decide whether this natural remedy is right for you. We are all different!

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