Oil Pulling—An Ancient Practice with Modern Health Benefits
Udumbara
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Oil pulling is a time-tested and scientifically researched remedy comparable in performance to Chlorhexidine mouthwash—without adverse effects.
“Pseudoscience” or “quackery” are some of the words critics assign to oil pulling. While it should not replace the brushing of teeth, a growing number of scientists agree that this low-cost intervention to gum diseases and promoter of overall well-being has oral health benefits.
Dating back 300 to 5000 years, oil pulling comes from the Indian medical tradition of Ayurveda.
Advocates of oil pulling swear by its effectiveness. Books such as “Oil Pulling Therapy,” by Naturopathic doctor, Bruce Fife, have been filled with the technique’s praises, such as relief of “asthma, diabetes, arthritis, migraine headaches, or any chronic illness.”
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There Is More to Oral Health
Oil pulling is a fascinating topic when approaching it not only from the angle of oral health but understanding the many mechanisms taking place unnoticed in the mouth.Unfortunately, the homeostatic environment of the mouth is weak and easily disturbed by outside influences, such as the use of tobacco, environmental stimuli, or certain medications.
Oral Health’s Links to Other Diseases
The interdependence of bodily systems is the premise for the relationship that oral health has to overall well-being. In return, compromised oral health can lead to several other diseases.Mental Health
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology investigated the link between gum disease, depression, and anxiety. They did so by analyzing metadata, meaning information drawn from 40 outside studies.The results clearly showed a correlation between periodontal disease and emotional disorders. Twelve of the studies showed a significant association with anxiety. Eighteen studies indicated that patients with gum disease had increased depression.
This common denominator in all is inflammation.
Pneumonia
Oral hygiene was also the topic of a study that included 39 patients with pneumonia. Researchers found that lack of oral care was linked to an increase of obligate anaerobes (microorganisms that only grow or survive in environments without oxygen) in the lungs of these patients. Hence, oral health does not only affect the mouth.Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease
As a chronic inflammatory disease, periodontitis (inflammation of the gums) is connected to an “increased myocardial infarction risk,” states a review published in the International Journal of Molecular Science.The review found correlations between periodontal disease and stroke, heart failure, endothelial dysfunction, peripheral artery disease, and diabetes, and urges dentists and clinicians to increase their awareness about these links and the need for increased oral hygiene.
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A Tool to Maintain Oral Hygiene
After establishing the importance of oral hygiene, the question is no longer only whether oil pulling treats gingivitis or replaces tooth brushing, but if the technique can be helpful to support the many mechanisms leading to a balanced oral milieu.- Prevents dental carries
- Improves oral hygiene
- Decreases oral microbial count
- Inhibits adhesion of plaque and oral surfaces
- Reduces gingivitis and halitosis
- Strengthens oral cavity muscles and jaws
- Whitens teeth
- Improves general health
Cost-Effective Oral Intervention
Oil pulling is a low-cost way of increasing one’s oral hygiene, which in turn is said “to prevent teeth decay, oral malodor, bleeding gums, dryness of throat and cracked lips, and [is used] for strengthening the teeth, gums, and jaws,” according to Indian folk tradition and a randomized, controlled, triple-blind study published in the Journal of the Indian Society of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry.Twenty adolescent boys partook in the study. Divided into two random groups, one swished chlorhexidine mouthwash for 10 minutes each morning before brushing their teeth, while the other did oil pulling with sesame oil. Researchers collected plaque and saliva samples four times during the two-week duration.
Both groups displayed a reduction of Streptococcus mutans, which significantly contributes to tooth decay. Although the plaque count was lowered more quickly in the chlorhexidine control group, the study group caught up. In the end, the study group who oil-pulled experienced an even greater reduction of plaque (P=0.008 versus P=0.0005).
A Comparison to Chlorhexidine
A 2022 review published in International Dental Journal found 13 adverse effects of Chlorhexidine mouthwash. These side effects surfaced “even at low concentrations between 0.06% and 0.2% within the therapeutic range,” and were listed as “taste alteration, numbness in mouth and tongue, pain in mouth and tongue, xerostomia [oral dryness], and subjective discolouration.”- Natural
- No side effects
- No bacterial resistance
- Cost effective
- No prescription needed
- Not contradicted for pregnancy
- Not contraindicated in other diseases
Critics Debunked
The American Dental Association does not endorse oil-pulling. According to the association, “there are no reliable scientific studies to show that oil pulling reduces cavities, whitens teeth or improves oral health and well-being.” The British Dental Journal also comments on the lack of scientific research in a 2018 article.“The current fad of “Oil Pulling” is certainly one of the biggest examples of snake oil holistic mumbo-jumbo quackery to grace the surface of our planet,” Payet writes in his blog post. He claims that oil pulling simply cannot work “because it’s just fat.”
The scientists stated: “Coconut oil contains 92% saturated acids, approximately 50% of which is lauric acid. Lauric acid has proven antibacterial and antifungal effects. Evidence showed that coconut oil has significant antimicrobial activity against Escherichia vulneris, Enterobacter spp., Helicobacter pylori, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida spp., including C. albicans, C. glabrata, C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis, C. stellatoidea and C. krusei.”
Oil Pulling–4 Easy Steps
1. Use approximately 1 tablespoon (or 10ml) of your preferred oil (sesame, sunflower seed, coconut, etc.)2. Swish the oil in your mouth and between your teeth for about 15-20 minutes first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. You will notice a change in the oil’s viscosity, which will turn increasingly watery and milky white.
3. Follow the oil pulling by a thorough rinse with water and conventional teeth brushing, flossing, and/or using a tongue scraper.
Oils for Various Tastes and Conditions
A variety of oils can be used for oil pulling. The most common ones are:- Sesame seed oil, which is the traditional oil used in Ayurveda
- Coconut oil – a pilot study notes a significant decrease in plaque and plaque-induced gingivitis
- Sunflower seed oil – A pilot study showed that oil-pulling with sunflower seed oil “reduce the overall microbial burden” in the mouth.
- Olive oil
- Palm oil
- Rice bran oil – a comparative interventional study indicated its superiority in treating halitosis (bad breath).
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Possible Side-Effects
Side effects and contraindications of oil pulling are few. However, there are a couple of things to watch out for.- Do not ingest the swished oil. Swallowing oil can lead to stomach upset.
- Another more serious, but rare side effect could happen if small particles of the oil are inhaled. This is called lipoid pneumonia. An article about a possible connection between the two has been published in the International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease.
- Children under the age of 5 years should not perform oil pulling.
