Oil pulling

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Oil pulling or oil swishing is a traditional folk remedy where oil is "swished" (kavala graha) or "held" (snigda gandoosha) in the mouth.

Practitioners of oil pulling claim it is capable of improving oral and systemic health, including a benefit in conditions such as headaches, migraines, diabetes mellitus, asthma, and acne, as well as whitening teeth. Its promoters claim it works by "pulling out" toxins, which are known as ama in Ayurvedic medicine, and thereby reducing inflammation.

The claims made for the benefits of oil pulling are implausible, and there is no good evidence that it is of any health benefit.

Video Oil pulling

Effectiveness

Research into oil pulling has not been of good quality. There is no good evidence that oil pulling has any benefit for oral health. It is not known if oil pulling is safe.

The Canadian Dental Association, responding to published research, has stated that "We sense oil pulling won't do any harm, we're not convinced there are any particular benefits to it."

The practice of oil pulling was examined by Steven Novella and reported on in a March 2014 article in Science-Based Medicine. The analysis concluded:

Oil pulling is a suggestive misnomer, implying that something bad is being pulled from the mouth (toxins and bacteria). What little scientific evidence exists shows that it is probably not as effective as standard mouth wash, and what benefit it has is likely entirely due to the mechanical act of swishing to remove particles and bacteria from teeth and gums ... Oil pulling for general health or any other indication is pure pseudoscience. Detox claims are based on nothing, as are all detox claims. There is no evidence or plausible rationale to recommend oil pulling for any indication other than as a poor substitute for oral care.

Maps Oil pulling

Possible mechanisms of action

Any mechanism of action for the purported benefits of oil pulling is not clearly defined.

Coconut Oil Teeth Whitening Benefits & Whitening - Before and ...

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Role in Ayurveda

In traditional Ayurveda, gargling treatments like kavala graha and gandusha are used to rebalance various doshas. Ayurveda does not recommend general treatments blindly for everyone, but, rather, health is held to be very individualistic, and the dominant dosha in both the individual and nature determines health care, including dental health. As per Ayurvedic literature, sesame oil is one among many medicinal fluids recommended for daily preventive use and/or seasonal use to reduce dryness (vata dosha) of the mouth and reduce inflammation and burning sensation in the mouth. In case of specific issues, Ayurvedic practitioners might also suggest other treatments such as coconut oil and sunflower oil or other herbalized oils after proper diagnosis of the specific ailment or dosha.

src: www.oilpulling.org

Current trends

Traditionally, sesame oil was used for oil pulling, but recent endorsements by celebrities has resulted in increasing popularity of coconut oil-based oil pulling in the Western world.