The dental and medical advantages of using oil pulling in the mouth have been known on
the Indian subcontinent for at least 5,000 years.
Used as preventative medicine, oil pulling prevents plaque production and the propagation
of unwanted bacteria in the oral cavity, thus giving prevention to tooth cavities, gingivitis,
periodontitis, and bad breath. The process promotes healthy gums and heals any bleeding
issues, resulting in firm and healthy, white teeth. Other advantages of oil pulling extend to
the heightening of the sensitivity of the taste buds and appetite, relief to sore throats and
chapped lips, while improving the cells, organs and tissues throughout the body to create a
holistic wellbeing.
It is most important that cold-pressed, naturally produced oils are used for oil pulling, with
coconut oil, sesame oil, olive oil and sunflower oil being the most preferred, with each oil
offering a different advantage over the other: sesame and sunflower oils being especially
favoured for combating gingivitis, while coconut oil, with its appealing taste and medium-
chain fatty acids, doesn’t contain any corrosives and is therefore very gentle on the teeth.
Sesame and olive oils have phenolic compounds, a source of antimicrobial agents, which act
against the oral bacteria and fungi microbiome. It is perhaps a good idea to alternate
between these oils to get the maximum benefit from each.
The process involves taking a teaspoon of oil into your mouth in the morning before eating
or drinking anything. You then quite vigorously swish the oil around your mouth and
between your teeth for up to 15 minutes; in the first 5 minutes the oil begins to emulsify
and turn white. It is in this state it is ready to begin to attack and absorb the unwanted
bacteria and fungi that might lurk in your mouth. By continuing the swishing action for the
next ten minutes, the emulsified oil literally sweeps the mouth clean. After a total of 15
minutes has expired spit out the emulsified oil with its baggage of unwanted bacteria, as it is
important to remove this waste from the body. Thoroughly rinse your mouth with water
afterwards. It is important to note here that if you should continue the swishing process for
more than 20 minutes, the emulsified oil will break down, releasing its collection of detritus
back into your mouth.
References
Yollar, Elif. (2024). Oil pulling in dentistry. Dicle Dental Journal. 25. 92-95.
10.70509/dicledentj.1497053.
