Is "Oil Pulling" Right For You?

Recently, I was asked several times about “oil pulling” which is a growing trend, but it's not new.  

This oral therapy is a type of Ayurvedic medicine [a traditional Indian system] that dates back 3,000 years.  It involves swishing approximately 1 tablespoon of oil -- typically coconut, sesame, or sunflower oil -- in your mouth for about 15-20 minutes and then spitting it out.

While any cooking oil would work, most practitioners of oil pulling use coconut oil. This is because coconut oil has the added benefit of lauric acid, which is well-known for its anti-microbial agents.

Unlike some natural home remedies, there’s actually some reasonable science behind it. Recent studies claim that oil pulling helps against gingivitis, plaque, and microorganisms that cause bad breath. How? Most microorganisms inhabiting the mouth are single-cell bacteria.  These cells are covered with a lipid, or fatty, membrane, which is the cell's skin. When these cells come into contact with oil, a fat, they naturally adhere to each other—kind of like being drawn to a magnet.

There is a lot of anecdotal evidence that deep pockets incident to gingivitis were reduced by this method.  A 2007 study in the Journal of Oral Health and Community Dentistry found that this method reduced gingivitis by 52 to 60 percent and cut plaque by 18 to 30 percent—compare mouthwash (which reduces gingivitis by 13 percent and plaque by 20 to 26 percent) and brushing (which reduces gingivitis by 8 to 23 percent and plaque by 11 to 27 percent).

Please note, as with many folk remedies, none of the studies I have found have been sufficient in terms of scientific reliability. Simply stated, the sample size isn't large enough, they aren't sufficiently blinded, peer reviewed, nor do they contain specific demographic data.  However, I do not see a dramatic downside in trying it, if you are so inclined, as long as you don't swallow the oil. 

If you think this sounds like something you want to try, here are some recommendations:

Start with just 5 or 10 minutes a day.  Twenty minutes of swishing is a long time, and while the longer you pull, the more bacteria you'll remove, 5 or 10 minutes will still offer some benefit. Also, if your jaw starts aching a few minutes in, slow down.  Practitioners recommend not to work it too hard.  A  gentle swishing, pushing, and sucking the oil through the teeth is all that's required.

Don't swallow. You want to get rid of the bacteria, not ingest them. Also, swallowing oil may give you an upset stomach or diarrhea.  If you find it hard not to swallow, you might have too much oil in your mouth.  Also, I have a septic system, so I wouldn’t spit it down the sink.  It may even clog your pipes, so use a trash can.

Don't skip brushing and flossing.  In my opinion, oil pulling should never replace routine dental visits and traditional home oral care. It doesn't reverse the effects of tooth decay, but I don’t oppose it as a supplemental therapy.

Coconut oil isn't the only oil with dental health benefits. For irritated, inflamed gums, rub a little vitamin E oil directly on the surface. It's rich in antioxidants, easily absorbed, and helps regenerate healthy gum tissue. Sunflower oil is also reported to be high in vitamin E.

The bottom line: If it sounds good to you, I'm not opposed to your trying it, although I'm not recommending that everyone should do it.  It's unclear as to whether this technique will be of great benefit, but there is some reasonable science behind it and a lot of anecdotal support. 

Dr. Elzbieta W. Basil

West Hartford Dentist

New Britain Dentist

www.DoctorBasil.com