What is oil pulling?

Social media trend ‘oil pulling’ has its roots in ancient Indian ayurvedic texts. It is an ancient natural healing method that has been in practice dating centuries. Oil pulling is practiced using any form of oil in the mouth for about 15-20 minutes. Even though any form of oil is used, Virgin Coconut oil is the famous oil for this home care. According to ancient ayurvedic texts oil pulling is considered as a powerful technique in both preventive and curative oral and systemic health. Down here we will be looking into the oral health considerations of oil pulling.

How does oil pulling work?

A comfortable amount of oil (considerably virgin coconut oil) is taken in mouth and swished for 15- 20 minutes before spitting out. During the swishing Lauric acid present in the coconut oil reacts with alkalis in saliva like sodium hydroxide and bicarbonates. This reaction produces sodium laureates which is soap like material. This soapy by product helps in eliminating the dental plaque from building up and sticking on teeth surface, also helps in flushing them out of the mouth. Within 5 minutes of swishing with the oil it emulsifies, and surface area of the oil arises. This way the oil forms a filmy layer on teeth and gums preventing bacteria from binding and forming colonies that can turn to dental plaque. This microorganism causes dental caries, gum disease and bad breath becomes ineffective.

Is there any proof?

There have been numerous clinical trials and studies that underwent to know the efficacy of oil pulling. Much research has come out with the result supporting oil pulling can reduce the plaque buildup and the oral diseases associated with the buildup of dental plaque. One study report that significant reduction in oral plaque and gum disease is shown after 15 days of regular oil pulling in the test subjects.

Does oil pulling have any side effects?

No, it does not have any proven side effects.

Chlorhexidine mouth wash has been considered the gold standard for mouth wash in the field of dentistry for many years in controlling dental plaque and gingivitis. As it is positively effective in reducing dental plaque and associated oral diseases it came with side effects like staining of teeth and tongue, altered taste, increased calculus (tarter) build up on teeth. These unpleasant side effects led to the search of a plaque controlling agent with no or minimal side effects. Such studies made way to the clinical trials for comparison of chlorhexidine mouth wash vs Oil pulling. These studies came out with the conclusions that oil pulling can reduce dental plaque, bad breath, and associated oral diseases, and can be used as an alternative to chlorhexidine mouth wash.

Does oil pulling replace brushing and flossing?

Even though there are many studies pointing to the benefits of oil pulling it does not prove that oil pulling is an alternative to brushing and flossing. Oil pulling is an accessory oral home care technique like mouth wash along with brushing and flossing habit. There is also no proof that oil pulling can whiten your teeth. ADA (American Dental Association) does not recommend oil pulling for oral home care routine, ongoing studies in this field might change this opinion. Since there are no known side effects it would be safe to conclude that oil pulling along with brushing and flossing is worth a shot.