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Oil pulling is said to improve dental health.
October 1, 2024
Petra Harms
Slurping, sucking, spitting: Oil pulling is said to ensure whiter and healthier teeth and promote the body's detoxification. What does the science say about it?
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The 2000-year-old Indian teaching of Ayurveda uses oil for forehead pours, deep massages, and as Gandusha, oil pulling. The list of symptoms and diseases that can be cured by a tablespoon of ghee, coconut, or sesame oil in the mouth is long and ranges from asthma over eczema and heart problems to stomach ulcers and rheumatism .
Today, people who are into morning rituals and white teeth swear by it. on the use of fat plus plenty of facial expressions: The vegetable oil is moved around the mouth, chewed, pulled through the teeth, pressed from left to right cheek, and finally spat out for ten to twenty minutes.
The procedure, according to the idea, serves primarily as a prophylactic against caries , periodontitis , inflammation of the gums and a natural alternative to bleaching. A miracle? Or rather hype and humbug?
Science journalist Dr. Mai Thi Nguyen-Kim examined the promises on her YouTube channel and says: "There are indeed established connections between dental and body health: periodontitis, for example, is associated with an increased risk of heart disease and diabetes because inflammation in the mouth also burdens the body and bacteria can also reach other organs through the bloodstream. However, there is no valid study yet that proves a positive effect of oil pulling on other diseases."
The situation is different with benefits for the oral cavity. The assumption is that the antioxidant properties of the oils - especially sesame oil with its high lignan content - interact with bad bacteria, slowing their growth and reducing gum inflammation.
The viscous property of the oil also plays a role because it coats surfaces and prevents bacteria from settling and multiplying there. There are at least a few randomized studies that have examined its effects on plaque and gums, cavity-causing bacteria (Streptococcus mutans), and bad breath.
And yes, oil pulling improves oral hygiene in a way similar to mouthwash. However, the number of participants in all studies was only between 20 and 40 subjects each, and the investigations were only conducted over a short period of time. That's not very conclusive.
And, scientists and dentists agree, oil pulling certainly does no harm, but it is also no alternative to brushing your teeth. Dr. Hans Lutz , Dentist in Munich warns: "Oil pulling does not replace toothbrush and floss, but is merely a supplement."
But do teeth become white through the oil treatment? There is also no scientific evidence for this. Only one thing is certain: Fats do not cause further discoloration in the long run, like mouthwashes with chlorhexidine. Maybe you can simply declare oil pulling as face yoga and train the muscles in the morning? The musculus risorius, the laughing muscle, definitely benefits.
