Oil Pulling & What To Know About It

Oil pulling is a popular new trend that you may have heard of recently, but it’s actually much older than you may think. Oil pulling was a technique used over 3,000 years ago! Although recently advertised by celebrities on social networking sites, oil pulling is part of an ancient tradition of Ayurvedic medicine.

What Is Oil Pulling & What Does It Do?

Oil pulling is the act of using oils to swish around your mouth for 10-20 minutes. The oils used are usually coconut, sunflower or sesame oils. Many people have made claims that oil pulling can act as a cure-all for a number of disorders or diseases, including eczema, arthritis, gum disease and bad breath. However, this isn’t exactly the case.

While oil pulling isn’t nearly as helpful as some believe, it does have a few merits. But before engaging in this practice, there are a few things you should know:

1. Don’t use oil pulling in place of your regular dental hygiene routine. It’s been claimed that using certain oils can remove plaque from the teeth, but this is not true. While it’s true that oil pulling can reduce the amount of plaque that builds up, it cannot remove existing plaque. Be sure to brush twice a day with two minutes at a time and floss at least once a day.
2. Make sure you’re using the correct oils. You should only be using high-quality, organic oils to swish with. Otherwise, oil pulling can harm your health and you may even be introducing lead or arsenic into your system.
3. Oil pulling can’t cure diseases. There has been no evidence to suggest that oil pulling can cure or ease disorders or diseases such as diabetes, asthma, migraines or eczema. We don’t want you wasting money or time on pricey oils that won’t improve your health.
4. Keep kids away from oil pulling.

It’s important that you stay informed about your health and any practices that may help or harm it. There are ways that oil pulling can have merit, especially when used as a mouthwash, but don’t be fooled by any false claims that may float around!

For more information on your dental and overall health or to make an appointment for a dental cleaning and exam, please contact Auburn Family Dental. Our friendly dental office is located in Wichita, KS.