![]() ![]() And oil, with its non-polar bacteria-magnet potential, could make that swishing effect even more effective.įor this reason, oil pulling could be considered a healthy oral practice. The reasoning behind the oil pulling process is sound because even if you were to just swish water around in your mouth for 20 minutes, more bacteria would be dislodged than if you hadn’t. Now, despite the lack of scientific investigation into oil pulling, many dental professionals recommend it to patients who are looking for a more natural substitute to mouth wash. But of course, if you have any particular input or insight into oil pulling, we welcome your comments on social media! “Hmmm…maybe I should also cut down on the pickled herring…” There is no official verdict regarding the benefits of oil pulling as there is unfortunately very little research on the topic. However, when used in conjunction with proper daily brushing and flossing habits, it may improve bad breath, help to decrease staining, and benefit in other ways. If oil pulling is used alone, without regular brushing and flossing, then no, it is not an effective way to keep your mouth healthy. Is oil pulling an effective oral care technique? ![]() For instance, someone could claim that toothbrushing removes toxins (since it physically dislodges things which may be, or may become, toxic) and they wouldn’t necessarily be factually incorrect, though it would be rather misleading. Because while oil pulling can remove bacteria and physical particles from your mouth, it cannot leach out toxic particles from your bloodstream or tissues - that’s what your kidneys and liver do! When someone claims that a product removes toxins, as many do claim with oil pulling, we feel that it’s important to take it with a grain of salt. Many things are mistakenly described as such, and the internet marketplace selling ‘detox’ treatments is thriving these days. In scientific literature, a toxin is a specific kind of organic poison. We in the dental industry have seen it becoming very popular over the last decade or so, and it’s a good idea to have some solid information on the subject since misinformation abounds on the internet.īecause we’re talking about a subject that’s common in the natural health world, one important point which we’d like to mention is how the usage of the word toxin is commonly used. ![]() ![]() These are the basic concepts behind oil pulling. Swishing with oil can help to dissolve and flush out residual non-polar nastiness and clean your mouth to a whole new level. When you brush your teeth, you’ll get some of the polar gunk that’s left in your mouth, but may not end up removing a lot of the non-polar stuff. (Don’t worry, there won’t be a test later!) Well, that principle is in effect when you do oil pulling. Think of how trying to mix oil and vinegar, or oil and water, just never seems to work. Oils are non-polar liquids, and will not blend with polar liquids. Since liquid oil has the ability to get into hard to reach areas of the mouth that a toothbrush would miss, it is thought to be able to pick up bacteria that may have otherwise stayed hidden.Īnother major element is what chemists call ‘polarity’. It may sound like a lot, but these guys are tiny! Each of these bacteria have a fatty outer coating, and when they come into contact with another fatty substance, such as oil, they have a tendency to stick to that substance. The number of bacteria found in our mouths is usually between 1,000 and 10,000 on each individual tooth. The process gets its name partly from the pushing and pulling of the oil through teeth and mouth, and partly from the way the oil is supposed to pull icky stuff out of your mouth tissues. The process of oil pulling involves putting a tablespoon of liquid vegetable oil, often coconut oil, into your mouth and swishing it around for 20 minutes before spitting it out and brushing it away with a toothbrush and toothpaste. So we’re here to give you the straight facts about oil pulling, and to tell you exactly what you need to know about how it can affect your oral health. While it may sound like a great alternative oral care solution, it can never replace brushing and flossing. Those who swear by the process claim that it whitens teeth, fights bad breath, and gets rid of bacteria stuck in hard to reach places. Have you heard of oil pulling, or ‘swishing’, yet? It’s an alternative treatment that is purported to rid your body of unwanted bacteria through the process of swishing vegetable oil around your mouth. ![]()
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