Have you seen the latest dental trend floating around your favorite social media site? Oil pulling has been gaining popularity across the internet, and you probably know people who are trying it! The question is, does it work? As with any internet fad, you’ll be able to find people who say it works like a charm as well as people who say it was a complete flop. Feel free to do your own research, but we’ll start you off with the basics!
Oil pulling is a very old folk practice that began centuries ago in Asia. The practice was said to treat all sorts of medical ailments, but it was known for giving people a healthier smile. To pull oil, one would put a tablespoon of an edible oil (sesame, sunflower, olive, or coconut) in their mouth. They would then use their cheeks and tongue to pull the oil through the teeth in a swishing sort of motion. You could do this anywhere from 1-5 minutes up to 15-20 minutes, depending on your fervor!
Is it Effective?
Oil pullers claim that pulling oil has made their teeth healthier than ever before! They claim less decay, less plaque, fewer cavities, and whiter teeth. Sounds pretty good, right? The American Dental Association (ADA) has looked into the claims, but has found no reliable evidence to support oil pulling as an alternative dental practice. The ADA (and we) recommend that you maintain the ADA recommended brushing, flossing, and routine dental cleaning model for a healthy smile!
Alternative medical practices can sometimes be fantastic, but oil pulling just doesn’t have the research to back up the claims. Maintain your routine dental care habits of brushing twice a day, flossing once a day, and schedule that six-month cleaning today! Contact us to make the appointment, and let us know what you’ve heard about alternative dental practices!
