A Closer Look at Oil Pulling — the All-New “Miracle Cure”
The claims are sensational but how many are actually true?
These days oil pulling is becoming increasingly trendy as an alternative oral hygiene therapy. Despite its recent rise in popularity, the practice, in fact, originated thousands of years ago as an ancient Indian (Ayurvedic) folk remedy.
It is believed to cure over 30 systemic diseases ranging from heart disease and digestive problems to hormonal disorders and even cancer. As for its oral health benefits, oil pulling enthusiasts claim that not only does it whiten teeth and freshen breath but it also reduces and prevents gum disease and cavities.
Today, let’s look at the evidence behind these seemingly miraculous claims to help you decide whether oil pulling is something you would like to incorporate into your daily hygiene routine.
Plaque removal and maintenance of gingival (gums) health
The claim:
Several online testimonials extol the benefits of oil pulling in improving tooth and gum health. It is widely claimed that the oil used in oil pulling can ‘pull’ toxins out of the oral cavity which helps prevent/improve gingivitis and periodontal disease.
Fact or Fantasy?
While there is little scientific evidence that oil pulling ‘detoxifies’ the oral cavity, the antibacterial and antioxidant effects of coconut oil are well documented.
Coconut oil contains beneficial antioxidant vitamins like Vitamins A, D, E, and K and antibacterial and antifungal agents like lauric acid and monolaurin.
Sucrose monolaurate found in coconut causes reduction in glycolysis and sucrose oxidation by Streptococcus mutans bacteria and thus prevents the formation of dental plaque. (1)
A 2017 study on 60 adolescents with plaque-induced gingivitis reported a steady decline in their gingival and plaque indices over a 30 day period involving daily coconut oil pulling. (2) These studies show that oil pulling can positively impact teeth and gum health by reducing the number of disease-causing bacteria in the oral cavity.
Control of tooth decay
The claim:
Proponents of oil pulling claim that regular oil pulling not only protects teeth from caries (decay) but can also reverse/inhibit existing decay.
The evidence:
Oil pulling cannot cure tooth decay.
Tooth decay is irreversible damage to the organic and inorganic structures of the tooth. Once it occurs the only treatment is the removal of the decayed portion (to prevent further spread) followed by restoration with an appropriate filling material. While routine oil pulling cannot reverse decay, the anti-caries effects of coconut oil can aid in the prevention of decay.
A 2016 study that compared the efficacy of coconut oil pulling with chlorhexidine mouthwash in a group of 60 participants, found that both produced an appreciable reduction in the S.mutans bacteria levels in the participant’s saliva. (3) S.mutans is the bacteria most commonly associated with tooth decay. This study shows that oil pulling with coconut oil is an acceptable and effective organic substitute for chemical mouthwashes.
Teeth Whitening
The claim:
Again, there is an abundance of online testimonials attesting to the fact that regular oil pulling helps whiten teeth and freshen breath.
Fact or Fantasy?
While the claim may not be entirely false, however, to date no study has proven scientifically that oil pulling actually does whiten teeth.
Other Health Benefits
The claims:
As stated above, a host of health benefits have been linked to regular oil pulling. Oil pulling is purported to cure:
1. Heart disease
2. Hormonal imbalances
3. Gastric problems
4. Arthritis
5. Skin and blood disorders
6. Chronic inflammatory diseases
7. Cancers
The evidence:
Most of these fantastical claims are unsubstantiated. However, as mentioned above oil pulling can reduce gingivitis and chronic inflammatory gum disease. Chronic inflammatory gum disease like any other latent inflammatory condition can raise the C-Reactive Protein (CRP) levels in the body. Increased CRP levels are linked to a number of health concerns like heart disease and immune disorders. (4) Therefore an improvement in gingivitis can and does lead to an improvement in the overall health of the body.
How it is done
After going through the evidence some of you might be interested in adding the practice of oil pulling to your daily morning routine. Bear in mind though that regardless of its purported benefits, oil pulling cannot replace regular brushing and flossing. The physical dislodgement of food debris and bacterial plaque deposits is only possible through the mechanical act of brushing. Onwards to the method.
Here are the simple steps of oil pulling:
- Take 1 tablespoon of edible oil, this can be coconut, sesame, or olive.
- Swish it in your mouth for a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 20 minutes, taking care not to swallow.
- Once done, spit out the oil in a trash can (not the sink as the oil can harden and lead to drain clogs).
- Rinse your mouth well with water and proceed with regular brushing.
Conclusion
Edible oil pulling can be a healthy adjunct to routine oral hygiene measures like brushing and flossing. Further research is needed to conclusively determine the true extent of the benefits of oil pulling on oral and general health.
References:
- Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.: Arecaceae): in health promotion and disease prevention
Manisha DebMandal, Shyamapada Mandal - Effect of coconut oil in plaque related gingivitis — A preliminary report
Faizal C. Peedikayil, Prathima Sreenivasan, and Arun Narayanan - The Effect of Coconut Oil pulling on Streptococcus mutans Count in Saliva in Comparison with Chlorhexidine Mouthwash
Mamta Kaushik, Pallavi Reddy, Roshni Sharma, Pooja Udameshi, Neha Mehra, Aditya Marwaha - Ayurvedic Oil Pulling: Miracle or Myth?
https://drclaudiawelch.com/oil-pulling-miracle-or-myth/
Dr. Zainab Javed Qadri is a board-certified dentist and CEO of her private practice, “TwinCity Dental” situated in Islamabad, Pakistan. Through her Medium articles, she aims to create dental and oral health awareness in the local and international populace.
