Buzz
Oil pulling, the age-old practice of swishing oil around in your mouth for extended periods, is often marketed as an effective method for maintaining oral hygiene and treating numerous health issues. However, much of the hype surrounding it is unfounded.
While a few peer-reviewed studies suggest that oil pulling can reduce bacteria in the mouth, it doesn't seem to have any advantages over traditional oral care methods like tooth brushing. In fact, one study comparing oil pulling to regular dental care found that it was no more effective than using chlorhexidine mouthwash, a common prescription rinse. If you're spending 20 minutes swishing oil in your mouth, you'd likely expect better results.
Dr. Steven Novella shares his thoughts on the practice at Science Based Medicine:
Even accounting for possible researcher bias, the evidence isn't particularly convincing. If we take the findings at face value, it seems that swishing with oil helps maintain oral health, likely due to the mechanical cleaning process (possibly aided by the oil's emulsification properties). However, it is not as effective as standard mouthwash treatments. While oil pulling may serve as a makeshift solution when modern dental care is unavailable, there is no scientific evidence to support claims of broader health benefits.
Oil pulling has been linked to claims of curing a wide range of non-oral health issues like diabetes, allergies, and migraines, but the scientific backing for these assertions is virtually nonexistent. If you enjoy incorporating oil swishing into your daily routine, go ahead and continue, but don't be misled into thinking it's a miracle remedy for all your ailments.
Image courtesy of Meal Makeover Moms.
