Oil pulling has been proven to be an effective method in reducing plaque formation and plaque induced gingivitis. This preliminary study shows that coconut oil is an easily usable, safe and cost effective agent with minimal side effects which can be used as an adjuvant in oral hygiene maintenance.
Current research shows that coconut oil may help to decrease plaque buildup on your teeth and reduce inflammation to fight gum disease. In one pilot study, oil pulling with coconut oil for 30 days significantly decreased plaque buildup and signs of gingivitis in 60 participants with plaque-induced gum disease ( 12 ).
Dentist's verdict: Oil pulling with coconut oil can help with more mild forms of gingivitis when used in conjunction with flossing. This is (again) due to the lauric acid in coconut oil. It should not be seen as a way of treating more serious gum disease or as a replacement of flossing.
The bottom line
Current research suggests oil pulling with coconut oil (swishing oil in your mouth for 10 to 20 minutes) may reduce bad bacteria in the mouth, prevent gingivitis and tooth decay, and get rid of bad breath.
Oil pulling is an ancient remedy that's known to improve dental health, freshen breath, and whiten teeth. The primary benefit of oil pulling is reducing the bacteria in your mouth that can lead to tooth decay and gum disease.
Limited available research on effect of oil pulling on oral hygiene shows promising benefits of oil pulling procedure on oral cavity. However oil pulling does not replace dental therapy and is currently not recommended by American dental association.
Rinsing should be continued for perhaps 5 to 20 minutes, so that the edible oil is pulled through the teeth and mouth.
You do not need to brush your teeth before oil pulling as the practice will remove food and bacteria from the mouth. However, it is important to brush afterwards to ensure that all of the toxins that are drawn out of the mouth are removed. If it feels weird, keep going. There's no right or wrong way to oil pull.
Oil pulling is simple. Put 1 tbsp (15 mL) of oil in your mouth, swish it around for 15–20 minutes and spit it out. Then rinse with water and brush your teeth.
Oil pulling should be done in the morning on an empty stomach, immediately after brushing and flossing your teeth. Benefits of oil pulling include: fresh breath, healthy teeth and gums, a balanced oral microbiome, and a healthy palate.
The American Dental Association does not recommend oil pulling due to a lack of “reliable studies” to show that it improves oral health or acts as a preventative measure for oral disease.
Proponents of oil pulling claim that, when practiced properly and with regularity, users can expect to start seeing results such as reduced plaque, cavity prevention and stronger gums in 2 – 3 months. Some users also claim that oil pulling helped remove stains from their teeth.
Most guides suggest brushing the teeth immediately afterward. Others say that it is better to wait a bit to promote the retention of good bacteria and the rebalancing of the oral microbiome. In any case, use a different toothbrush after oil pulling to the one used for daily teeth cleaning.
The traditional method of treating gum recession is through a gum graft, which entails donor tissue being harvested from another area of the mouth—usually the palate—and transplanted onto the receding area to cover the exposed tooth root.
Eucalyptus – Eucalyptus oil is an anti-inflammatory germicide that helps soothe receding gums and helps stimulate the growth of new gum tissue.
Prevents plaque and bacteria
And a 2008 study found that oil pulling is as effective as rinsing with mouthwash to maintain and improve oral health. The study examined levels of Streptococcus mutans, a bacteria commonly found in the mouth that causes tooth decay.
Benefits of Oil Pulling
“Internally, oil pulling helps remove oil-soluble toxins from the system (as these bacteria are harbored in our mouths), improving digestion, preventing inflammation and boosting immune system,” says Rose.
Many natural oils like virgin coconut oil, sesame oil, olive oil and sunflower oil are best for oil pulling.
One such traditional way of removing tartar from teeth is swishing your mouth with oil, also known as oil pulling. This practice, not only removes plaque but also treats toothache, bleeding gums, soothes sore gums and prevents tooth decay.
DO oil pull with an empty stomach, don't even drink water beforehand, first thing in the morning is the easiest. Pulling on an empty stomach triggers the release of the maximum amount of the enzyme-containing saliva. These enzymes remove toxins & bacteria out of the lymph fluids & bloods.
Ayurveda recommends oil pulling every day. However, how frequently you do it is up to you. If you only have time to do this practice once a week, you're doing a great job. In Ayurveda, your oral health care routine is meant to support natural elimination of waste in the mouth, and to gently stimulate your digestion.
Step 4: Rinse your mouth. Using warm water with a dash of sea salt, clean your mouth to get rid of the oil you used for pulling. Take note: Once you spit the oil, take note of the color. A milky white color is an indication that you were able to collect the toxins and bacteria.
It's recommended that you perform oil pulling once per day, every day. Doing this on a regular basis can help prevent oral health problems by removing harmful bacteria from your mouth. However, don't do it more than once daily, as it can cause tiredness or soreness of the jaws.
Can I Eat or Drink After Oil-Pulling? After oil-pulling, just rinse your mouth and brush as you normally would. You may then consume any food or drink that you want immediately.