Oil pulling is an ancient practice that involves swishing oil in your mouth to remove bacteria and promote oral hygiene.
It is often associated with Ayurveda, the traditional medicine system from India.
Studies suggest that oil pulling can kill bacteria in the mouth and improve dental health. Some alternative medicine practitioners also claim that it can help treat several diseases (
While it’s not entirely clear how oil pulling works, it’s claimed to “pull” bacteria from the mouth. It may also help by moisturizing your gums and increasing saliva production, which can reduce bacteria (
Some types of oil also contain properties that can naturally reduce inflammation and bacteria to promote oral health (
However, research on oil pulling is limited, and there is much debate over how beneficial it really is.
This article looks at some of the science-backed benefits of oil pulling and then explains how to do it in order to maximize its effectiveness.
1. Can reduce harmful bacteria in your mouth
There are approximately 700 types of bacteria that can live in your mouth, and up to 350 of them may be found in your mouth at any given time (
Several studies have shown that oil pulling could help reduce the number of harmful bacteria in the mouth.In one study, 75 adolescents either used an antibacterial mouthwash or did oil pulling with sesame oil daily.
After 15 days, both the mouthwash and oil pulling significantly reduced the number of harmful bacteria found in the saliva and plaque (
Another study found similar results. It had 60 participants rinse their mouths using either mouthwash, water, or coconut oil for 2 weeks. Both mouthwash and coconut oil were found to reduce the number of bacteria found in saliva (
Decreasing the number of bacteria in the mouth can help support proper oral hygiene and prevent some conditions.
Treatment typically includes the removal of the bacteria, either through brushing or by using an antiseptic mouthwash like chlorhexidine (
Interestingly, one 2011 study found that oil pulling was as effective as chlorhexidine at reducing bad breath.
In the study, 20 children rinsed with either chlorhexidine or sesame oil, both of which caused a significant decrease in levels of the microorganisms known to contribute to bad breath (
Though more research is needed, oil pulling may be used as a natural alternative to reduce bad breath and could be as effective as traditional treatments.
3. May help prevent cavities
Cavities are a common problem that stems from tooth decay.
Poor oral hygiene, eating too much sugar, and a buildup of bacteria can all cause tooth decay, which leads to the formation of holes in the teeth known as cavities (
Plaque can also cause cavities. Plaque forms a coating on teeth and is comprised of bacteria, saliva, and food particles. The bacteria begin to break down the food particles, forming an acid that destroys tooth enamel and causes tooth decay (
Several studies have found that oil pulling can help reduce the number of bacteria in the mouth, preventing tooth decay.
In fact, some research has found that oil pulling may decrease the number of harmful bacteria found in saliva and plaque as effectively as a mouthwash (
Decreasing these strains of bacteria through oil pulling could help prevent tooth decay and reduce the risk of cavity formation.
4. Seems to reduce inflammation and improve gum health
Gingivitis is a type of gum disease marked by red, swollen gums that bleed easily.
The bacteria found in plaque are a major cause of gingivitis, as they can cause bleeding and inflammation in the gums (
Fortunately, oil pulling may be an effective remedy to improve gum health and reduce inflammation.
It works primarily by decreasing the harmful bacteria and plaque in the mouth that contribute to gum disease, such as Streptococcus mutans.
Using certain oils with anti-inflammatory properties like coconut oil may also aid by reducing the inflammation associated with gum disease (
In one study, 60 participants with gingivitis began oil pulling with coconut oil for 30 days. After 1 week, they had reduced amounts of plaque and showed an improvement in gum health (
Another older study in 20 boys with gingivitis compared the effectiveness of oil pulling with sesame oil and a standard mouthwash.
Both groups showed a decrease in plaque, an improvement in gingivitis, and a reduction in the amount of harmful bacteria in the mouth (
While more evidence is needed, these findings suggest that oil pulling may be an effective supplementary treatment to prevent plaque formation and promote healthy gums.
Although proponents of oil pulling claim that it may benefit a wide variety of other conditions not mentioned above, research on the benefits of oil pulling is limited.
That said, the anti-inflammatory effects of oil pulling may have a beneficial effect on certain conditions linked to inflammation.
While no studies have evaluated the effectiveness of oil pulling on these conditions, it may be a possibility given its potential to relieve inflammation.
