EDITOR’S NOTE: Have you seen health advice on social media and wondered, “Is this really good for me?” CNN’s Wellness team explains and assesses viral trends in this regular series: Fad Check.
Before toothpaste, there was coconut oil. Without a toothbrush in hand, many of our ancestors put oil between their teeth.
The ancient tradition has seen a revival.
“Oil extraction” is everywhere on the Internet. Some of us go through our routines: dig into a jar of coconut oil, put a spoonful in our mouth, and, as it dissolves into a liquid, swish it between our teeth for five to 20 minutes.
Then we spit it out before regular tooth brushing and flossing, repeating the routine several times a week. It’s like a natural mouthwash.
Some claim that oil pulling can make our teeth whiter and freshen our breath. Others claim it promotes a healthier oral microbiome, which is linked to better gut health.
Oil extraction dates back thousands of years. It is rooted in Ayurvedic medicine, a traditional Indian healing practice.
The current interpretation of oil extraction by influencers is identical to the old technique. This involved swishing an edible oil, such as coconut, sunflower or olive, around the mouth for 20 minutes before spitting it out.
According to Ayurvedic practice, this habit was believed to “clean out” toxins and impurities from the mouth. These toxins refer to the buildup of plaque – a mixture of oral bacteria and leftover food particles that stick to the teeth. Because oral health is linked to overall health, it was also thought that oil pulling could detoxify the body.
In the early 20th century, this ancient practice was supplanted by toothpaste, which is medically proven to strengthen oral health. Its recent comeback is part of a broader trend toward natural wellness practices.
“There is no scientific evidence that oil extraction is beneficial, but there is also no evidence that it is harmful,” said Dr. Matthew Messina, consumer advisor for the American Dental Association and director of Ohio State Upper Arlington Dentistry.
A 2022 meta-analysis found that oil pulling decreases the number of bacteria in the mouth, but there is little evidence that it reduces gum inflammation or plaque buildup compared to the typical hygiene routine.
Before we had access to toothpaste, oil pulling was “better than nothing,” Messina said. But today, this long ritual no longer offers much beyond the brushing and flossing habits we learned as children.
There are no “reliable scientific studies demonstrating that oil pulling reduces cavities, whitens teeth, or improves oral health and wellness,” according to the American Dental Association.
Experts don’t recommend oil extraction, but they don’t raise red flags either.
Some Messina patients say their mouth tastes like “salad” after extracting the oil, so they brush their teeth for longer periods of time to eliminate that greasy feeling. “Conversely, their oral hygiene improves because they brush their teeth longer, which is fine with me,” he said. “It gives us the same end result.”
This is, however, a problem if I am extracting oil as a replacement for proven medical treatments. For example, if I have a gum infection or tooth abscess, I should look for antibiotics, not the unproven healing properties of… oil. And while accidentally swallowing it can cause gastrointestinal issues, it’s not necessarily harmful.
Unlike oil pulling, traditional mouthwash offers some benefits. Mouthwashes often contain antibacterial ingredients that reduce bacteria associated with tooth decay and gum disease. Fluoride rinses can help strengthen teeth, Messina said. But mouthwash remains a complement and not a substitute for brushing and flossing.
“Mouthwashes are best used to support a healthy regimen of brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between our teeth once a day with floss or an oral irrigator,” Messina said.
As for oil extraction, it’s basically a waste of time. You may think you’re spending 20 minutes improving your oral hygiene, when in reality, you’re probably doing nothing. Oil pulling offers a “false sense of protection,” said dentist and orthodontic specialist Dr. Kami Hoss, based near San Diego.
Although the 2022 study examines the number of bacteria present after oil pulling, it does not provide enough evidence to support that oil pulling is beneficial for preventing cavities or periodontal disease. More in-depth studies, including more randomized protocols involving a larger number of patients, would be beneficial.
“If you spend minutes extracting oil every day, how much time are you really going to spend on all the other things that we know are scientific rewards? » » asked Hoss.
It’s also a waste of perfectly good oil.
Gn Health
