One of the latest health crazes is oil pulling. Although it may sound like a way to strike it rich through underground wells, it’s actually an at-home oral care practice. Although its effectiveness is up for debate, some believe it can whiten teeth, eliminate bad breath, remove bacteria and reduce plaque and cavities.
Celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow and Shailene Woodley swear by this method, and Dr. Oz even promoted it on his show earlier this year. But, it’s actually nothing new. Oil pulling is an ancient, traditional remedy that has been practiced in India and southern Asia for 3,000 years.
How it works
Oil pulling involves swishing one to two tablespoons of an edible natural oil — such as coconut, sesame or sunflower — in the mouth for 10 to 20 minutes.
“The best technique is to suck the oil or pull the oil in between your teeth,”
Dr. Kulreet Chaudhary wrote in an article for Dr. Oz’s blog. “Oil pulling helps to increase the secretion of saliva and trap the toxins within the oil particles. By oil pulling, you can use the salivary glands in your mouth as a detoxifying organ.”
Dr. Kulreet Chaudhary wrote in an article for Dr. Oz’s blog. “Oil pulling helps to increase the secretion of saliva and trap the toxins within the oil particles. By oil pulling, you can use the salivary glands in your mouth as a detoxifying organ.”
When the oil is spit out, it should be white and frothy. If it’s still yellow, next time swish it longer, Chaudhary said.
The oil should go in the trash and not down the sink, Dr. Jessica Emery reminded oil pullers in a report for www.DentistryIQ.com. She also said that people need to swish gently, or else they’ll get a sore jaw after a few minutes. The oil is not supposed to be swallowed, and if that becomes a difficult task, it means there’s too much oil and it’s time to start over with less.
Niki Watkins, a Gastonia resident who started oil pulling three months ago and does it three times a week, said the oil starts out thick but thins out through the process. She recommended gradually building up to 20 minutes of swishing time.
“Your jaws, in the beginning, are very weak, especially with the swishing act going around. But then you get used to it, and your jaw gets stronger,” she said.
Twenty minutes may seem like a long time, but Watkins said she keeps herself occupied by going through with her morning routine while she’s oil pulling.
What the experts and experimenters say
The American Dental Association reports that scientific studies have not provided enough evidence to prove that oil pulling improves oral health or for them to recommend the practice. But, others believe differently.
“For the record, a regular oil-pulling routine should not replace routine dental visits and traditional at-home oral care,” Emery said. “Oil pulling does not reverse the effects of tooth decay. That being said, I do believe it is a great supplemental therapy. … Maybe more research and larger scale studies are needed to legitimize oil pulling.”
Alissa Knuutila, a Gastonia resident, has been oil pulling a couple times a week since March. Both Watkins and Knuutila are interested in holist medicine methods and gave the technique a try after acquaintances recommended it.
“I didn’t know if all of the benefits were accurate, but I just wanted to see what worked for me,” Watkins said. “My teeth are whiter, and it eliminates the smell of garlic.”
Knuutila said that she also did it to help with cavities.
“I saw some coming in, and I wanted to diminish them. Some of the small black spots in my teeth have gone away,” she said. “I actually feel more healthy overall when I do it.”
But she warned novice oil pullers to be patient.
“It doesn’t work completely overnight,” Knuutila said. “You kind of have to do it more than one time. You’re not going to see magical results the first time.”
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