Does Oil Pulling Really Work?

How do you oil pull?

The most common way to oil pull is to do it first thing in the morning when you wake up. It’s recommended to take about a tablespoon of oil and swish it in your mouth for 15-20 minutes. Once you’re done swishing, spit the oil in the trash. Then brush and floss your teeth. You can use a tongue scraper as well.

What’s the best type of oil to use?

A lot of people use fractionated coconut oil because it’s a liquid and easy to find in stores. Virgin coconut oil, which is solid at room temperature, is also an option. It becomes liquid once it’s warmed by the temperature of your mouth. Some people prefer it because it’s less processed, but the shelf life is tricky. Some people use sesame or palm oils. They can be pricey, and many prefer the more neutral taste of coconut oil.

Can you tell us about the history of oil pulling?

Oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic (a system of medicine originating in India) practice. My understanding is that it dates back three to five thousand years. They used oils such as coconut, sesame, palm or sunflower to “pull” toxins and impurities from the mouth to help reduce inflammation. We know the mouth plays a big role in overall health. So they believe that oil pulling benefited the whole body by reducing inflammation.

Influencers have said that oil pulling can whiten your teeth, fight bacteria and heal the gums, among other things. In your research, did you find evidence to support this?

Most of the studies I found have been done by companies that sell products related to oil pulling. That said, there is some evidence that shows oil pulling can be therapeutic to your oral and overall health. But it’s not going to cure everything in the ways that social media influencers talk about.

There’s some evidence to support that it can create a layer on your teeth that prevents bacteria from adhering, which could reduce your risk for gum disease. In terms of whitening, that layer could help prevent staining from coffee, tea and wine. But, if you’re going to continue to drink coffee and tea, it’s probably not going to make much of a difference. Also, coconut oil has lauric acid, which has been shown to have antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. This could also prevent bacteria from forming plaque as well.

Bacteria starts to form again right after you brush and floss your teeth. So if you’re on certain medications or you’re prone to dry mouth due to conditions such as Sjogren’s syndrome, the barrier might help you feel less dry and lessen the ability for bacteria to adhere to the teeth. The antimicrobial properties of the coconut oil might help with healing the gums, but it will not cure gum disease. The gums may appear to be healthier but anything going on under the gums needs to be addressed by a dental professional.

So, oil pulling can’t replace your dentist visits, despite what influencers say?

Correct. Coconut oil may help prevent plaque buildup, but it's still very important to see your dentist. You can still get cavities. Even if things look okay on the surface, there can be a lot happening underneath the surface. Oil pulling will not solve those issues.

Also, if your dental professional prescribes antibiotics, please know that oil pulling will not get rid of an infection. It may lessen it temporarily, but it’s a Band-Aid. The infection will come back. Even though coconut oil has antimicrobial properties, you need to take the antibiotics.

Can oil pulling impact your existing dental work, such as crowns or fillings?

Most likely not. But if you’ve had a tooth extracted and you’re told not to swish with water because it could disrupt the clot, I would avoid oil pulling during this time.

Any other potential downsides?

You want to avoid swallowing it, so if you have swallowing issues or if you’re under the age of 12, you might want to avoid oil pulling.

What’s the best way to take care of your oral health?

The best way is to brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste for two minutes and to floss between your teeth once a day. Water flossers (oral irrigators) are a great supplement to help with gum disease, but they don’t replace flossing. See your dentist every six months. If you have gum disease, see your dentist every three or four months.

Any final words?

Oil pulling is not recommended by the American Dental Association because there’s a lack of clinical evidence. But if a patient believes it’s doing some good and continues with their normal dental care routine, it shouldn’t hurt anything.