Oil pulling over the centuries
Oil pulling and oral health
Another oral health fad was recently trending on social media. But oil pulling is unique because it has actually been around for centuries!
Oil pulling is when you swish cooking oil (commonly sesame or coconut oil) around in your mouth for 15-20 minutes each day. Fans of the fad say it reduces mouth bacteria and whitens teeth, among other health benefits. But does oil pulling work? Let’s take a closer look.
The practice of oil pulling was first used hundreds of years ago, to heal oral injuries in India and southern Asia. Back then, they used sesame oil and believed it could cure oral health issues such as:
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Bad breath
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Dry or cracked lips
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Sore or bleeding gums
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Tooth decay
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Throat ailments
The trend of oil pulling has risen and fallen in popularity over time, and it has even seen recent interest on social media. Today’s version of the trend uses coconut oil instead of sesame oil, but otherwise it remains the same — swishing oil in your mouth for 20 minutes before spitting it out.
What are the potential benefits?
Supporters of oil pulling claim it has a wide variety of oral and overall health benefits, from eliminating plaque to minimizing allergies and headaches.
Most of these health claims are unproven, but oil pulling may help fight plaque and gum disease if it is paired with a regular daily oral health routine.
What are the potential health risks?
Oil pulling can cause minor issues like an upset stomach from accidentally swallowing the oil or a strained, tired jaw from swishing for 20 minutes each day. More research is needed to determine whether oil pulling poses any long-term risks.
Our verdict: It’s probably not harmful — but it’s not recommended. Daily oil pulling will not whiten your teeth, and more research is needed to determine if it offers real oral health benefits. Instead, save time and keep your mouth clean the traditional way — by brushing twice and flossing once daily!
