What A Dentist Says About Oil Pulling | Absolute Dental (2024)

FAQs

Why do dentists not recommend oil pulling? ›

Currently, there are no reliable scientific studies to show that oil pulling reduces cavities, whitens teeth or improves oral health and well-being. Based on the lack of scientific evidence, the American Dental Association does not recommend oil pulling as a dental hygiene practice.

A study conducted in the year 2014 by the Journal of Clinical and Dental Research discovered that oil pulling with Sesame oil was able to help reduce bad breath by eliminating the microbes responsible. In fact, the study found that the oil pulling was able to achieve equal results to a Chlorhexidine treatment.

The ADA does not recommend oil pulling

For those who need more help in reducing gingivitis, the ADA supports adding an ADA-accepted antimicrobial mouthrinse, like LISTERINE^® Antiseptic, shown to reduce plaque and gingivitis, to a daily oral care routine.

Yes, you can generally do oil pulling if you have fillings. Oil pulling is a gentle practice that typically does not interfere with dental work like fillings. However, it's essential to be cautious if you have loose fillings or dental crowns, as the swishing motion could potentially dislodge them.

What are the risks of Oil Pulling? The negative side effects of oil pulling including dry mouth, excessive thirst, muscular stiffness, exhaustion and loss of sensation or taste in the mouth. Coconut oil is a solid at room temperature and needs to be disposed of in a waste receptacle and not the sink.

If oil pulling is used alone, without regular brushing and flossing, then no, it is not an effective way to keep your mouth healthy. However, when used in conjunction with proper daily brushing and flossing habits, it may improve bad breath, help to decrease staining, and benefit in other ways.

Oil pulling can help prevent cavities by removing harmful bacteria, and it may stop cavities from getting worse. However, it takes minerals like fluoride, hydroxyapatite, calcium, and phosphorus to reverse cavities by remineralizing your teeth — and only if you catch the cavities early enough.

However, some people have reported that it actually increases sensitivity in teeth. There could be various reasons for this: Not everyone is using the same oil - some people may be using sesame seed oil and some may be using coconut oil, which is less acidic.

But let's get this upfront: Coconut oil can't repair receding gums. But can coconut oil help fight off plaque-producing bacteria in the mouth that leads to gum disease and receding gums? Limited research shows oil pulling – swishing coconut oil in your mouth for several minutes – might be an oral care aid.

One effective method for improving your gum disease and reversing periodontitis is oil pulling. Many individuals have implemented coconut oil into their daily regimen. Thanks to its mild, sweet flavor, coconut oil is preferred as a natural mouthwash over other oils such as sunflower or sesame oil.

Will oil pulling whiten my teeth? ›

Oil pulling may reduce the harmful bacteria in your mouth and decrease your risk of some health conditions. But no evidence suggests it draws toxins from the blood or whitens your teeth.

After spitting a little, keep swishing. When you're done, spit the oil into the trash. It will look frothy and white after so long being swished around. Brush your teeth and rinse your mouth well to remove any remaining toxins or oil from your mouth.

Dentists generally do not recommend oil pulling because there is limited scientific evidence to support its effectiveness for improving oral health. While some proponents claim benefits such as reducing harmful bacteria and improving gum health, these claims are not well-supported by research.

However, this practice could be harmful to teeth. We recommend not brushing until approximately 30 minutes after eating, and while oil pulling isn't quite considered eating, your tooth enamel has still had time to be affected by the oil in your mouth and can be more susceptible to erosion after this practice.

Neutral oils used in oil pulling are completely safe and as studies show may actually reduce decay and disease. Your crowns, implants, fillings, and dentures won't be damaged by oil pulling.

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.

Alleviates Inflammation and Swelling

Coconut oil possesses anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce the swelling and redness associated with periodontal disease. Oil pulling helps to soothe and heal inflamed tissues in the mouth, contributing to improved oral health.

Research suggests that it can take as little as two weeks and up to 45 days to see the benefits of oil pulling, per a study in the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine. Oil pulling may help coat the teeth and gums to inhibit bacterial growth and plaque formation.