What is oil pulling for dental health?

Oil pulling has recently received mainstream attention as one of the best ways to improve dental health. Some even speculate it can help the overall health of your body. The practice, however, has been around for 3,000 years, originating in the Ayurvedic practices of India and surrounding regions.

Ayurvedic medicine originated in ancient India, and is one of the world’s oldest medical systems. The word Ayurveda combines the Sanskrit words ayur (life) and veda (knowledge). This system uses herbal compounds, special diets, and other practices to help treat the body.

The ancient Ayurvedic texts suggest that oil pulling can help detoxify the body. The Charaka Samhita, which is an early text on Ayurvedic medicine written around 700 BCE, claimed oil pulling can cure about 30 systemic diseases. These include headache, migraine, diabetes, asthma, and many more. There are many people who feel like oil pulling has remarkably improved their overall health.

It is hard to say whether or not it definitively detoxifies the body as claimed, but there are several studies which show how it can improve the overall health of the mouth, such as the reduction of tooth decay, plaque, gingivitis, and halitosis.

A study in the Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine showed a significant reduction in the amount of plaque and gingivitis in the group which used oil pulling. Another study in the Journal of the Indian Society of Pedodontics and Preventative Dentistry concluded that oil pulling has been equally effective on halitosis and organisms associated with halitosis as chlorhexidine.

Another document published in the same journal showed the results of a randomized triple blind study that showed oil pulling reduced the amount of Streptococcus mutans in plaque and saliva. Streptococcus mutans is commonly found in the mouth and is a significant contributor to tooth decay.

Oral health and the body

The traditional Indian medicine of Ayurveda suggests that oral health is correlated to the overall health of the individual. This can actually be documented in modern medicine by the Mayo Health Clinic’s article from May, 2013, which draws a link between oral health and the overall health of an individual. WebMD posted an article which suggests links between diabetes, osteoporosis, heart disease, and oral health problems.

How to do oil pulling

Oil pulling is rather simple. First, choose an oil that is most palatable to you. The most common are coconut, sunflower, olive and sesame oils. It’s always best to find the best quality oils, preferably cold-pressed and organic.

Most people do oil pulling before they brush their teeth, either in the morning, at night or both. While the recommended amount is one to two tablespoons, this can vary by person, so start with a smaller amount and go from there. It can be helpful to only swish for a few minutes to start with so you get used to the taste and the action. Then you can build up to the recommended time. Some say 20 minutes is key but Dr. Virender Sodhi, of the Ayurvedic and Naturopathic Medical Clinic, says even three to five minutes can give you noticeable results.

Swish gently. If your jaw starts to hurt, you’re putting in more effort than you need to.

If you are interested in using ozonated oil, you might enjoy PurO3 Oil Pulling Solution.

When you’re done, spit all of the oil out in the trash, as oils can clog some plumbing fixtures and toilets. Avoid swallowing the oil, as it could be loaded with bacteria. Rinse the remainder out with warm water, preferably with a little sea salt mixed in. Brush your teeth and continue about your day.

Sources

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