Oil pulling is analternative medical practice in which anedible oil is swished around the mouth for a period of time and then spat out, similar tomouthwash.[1] It originates fromAyurvedic medicine.
Practitioners of oil pulling claim it is capable of improving oral health.[2] Its promoters claim it works bypulling out toxins,[1] but there is no credible evidence to support this.[1][3][4][5]
Oil pulling stems from traditionalAyurvedic medicine,[1][6][7][8] whose practitioners may usesunflower oil,olive oil, or otherherbal oils instead ofcoconut oil.[1][9]
There is nohigh-quality research on oil pulling,[1][3][5] no understanding of a possible mechanism explaining how it would work,[10] and no evidence that it provides any benefit.[1][4][5] TheAmerican Dental Association agrees that there are no reliable scientific studies supporting the practice of oil pulling for any benefit to oral hygiene or overall wellbeing.[11]
TheCanadian Dental Association assessed the practice of oil pulling in 2014 stating: "We sense oil pulling won't do any harm, we're not convinced there are any particular benefits to it."[12]
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 standardmouth 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 purepseudoscience.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 fororal care.
To the best of our knowledge this is the first systematic review assessing the effect of oil pulling on oro dental hygiene. The results should be interpreted with caution because of the small number of included studies. Furthermore, the included studies were not adequately powered, and small sample sized studies could lead to misleading results
