“Oil pulling”. We’ve all heard of it in one capacity or another. In a society that is constantly evolving to a more natural state of dealing with health-related issues, we are used to new remedies and rituals popping up all over the news and social media. Usually these are touted as “miracle cures” and given a certain amount of respect because they are considered “natural”. People are quick to try out these new claims, wanting any solution that doesn’t involve medical or dental intervention, but it is something that bears having an in-depth discussion before you start raiding your pantry.
First, what is oil pulling? Oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic remedy for oral detoxification. The routine consists of swishing a spoonful of oil around your mouth for 20 minutes, twice a day. The claim is that the oil then “pulls” the toxins away from the body, preventing a wide host of maladies, including gum disease, migraines and bronchitis. Sounds pretty great, doesn’t it? But let’s take a closer look.
Is oil pulling effective? Here’s the science behind it. Plaque is a biofilm that creates a barrier around self to prevent its own destruction. In the dental field, we know that the best means of removal is through physical disruption, i.e. brushing and flossing. The claim that oil can break through this barrier is scientifically unproven. You can think of it similar to running water over your dirty dishes, versus getting out the scrubber and cleaning them. Which is going to give you a better outcome?
Next, let’s look at the mechanics of the oil itself. Oil is a liquid in warm temperatures (inside the oral cavity). Liquids of all kinds, including mouthwash, have only been proven effective to a depth of 2mm. Most gum disease and gingivitis patients have pockets higher than that, thus the oil is not effective at the base of the pocket, leaving millions of bacteria behind.
And lastly, as a hygienist, I can honestly tell you that it is hard enough to get patients to spend 2 minutes a day caring for their mouths, let alone 40. As a preventive oral healthcare provider, I would never recommend oil pulling as a replacement to diligent brushing and flossing. If oil pulling sounds intriguing to you, please understand it should only be used as adjunctive therapy, never as a replacement.
S. Paige Tscherpel, RDH, BSDH
Consulted sources include:
http://blog.goodmouth.com/2014/03/20/oil-pulling-what-is-it-and-is-it-good-for-your-teeth/
http://www.ada.org/en/science-research/science-in-the-news/the-practice-of-oil-pulling