Oil pulling is an Ayurvedic practice used for oral health. By swishing oil around in the mouth for at least 5 minutes, the oil is thought to “pull” and capture microbes and toxins from the oral cavity which then can be spat out. Oil pulling is intended to prevent tooth decay, bad breath, and gingivitis and to reduce dry mouth.^[3]

Oil pulling has been traditionally used to prevent tooth decay, bad breath, gingivitis, and dry mouth.^[3] However, evidence from randomized controlled trials is inconclusive.

Some studies show that oil pulling with coconut oil reduces plaque and bacterial counts in the saliva when compared to baseline or using a water control. Other studies show that oil pulling is not better than chlorhexidine mouthwash (an antiseptic) for reducing gingivitis, plaque, or gum bleeding.^[4] Analyses of available randomized studies confirm that oil pulling is not better than using chlorhexidine mouthwash; however, it does reduce bacterial counts compared to a water control.^[1][5]

A small study suggests that oil pulling improves symptoms of dry mouth compared to baseline but does not seem to be better than using a water control.^[6]

Oil pulling seems to be generally safe and well tolerated in clinical research.^[1] Oil pulling should not replace standard dental care (brushing, flossing, professional dental care). There are rare case reports of exogenous lipoid pneumonia (lung inflammation from lipid inhalation) in people who performed oil pulling regularly for a year or longer.^[7][8][9] These occurred in people who were at risk for aspiration (inhaling something other than air) because of underlying breathing or swallowing problems.^[4] Some practitioners state that children younger than 5 should not practice oil pulling because of an increased risk of oil aspiration.^[10]

In Ayurvedic medicine, oil pulling is traditionally believed to balance dosha energies, resulting in improved physical and psychological health.^[3] The tongue is thought to affect various organs such as the kidneys, heart, and lungs. The practice of oil pulling is believed to extract toxins and microbes from these organs through the tongue and then trap them in the oil.^[10] Once the toxins are “pulled” from the organs and trapped in the oil, the oil is then expelled from the mouth. This practice is done in pursuit of improved oral and overall health.^[3] When the oil turns white, this signals that the oil has absorbed sufficient bacteria and is ready to be spat out.^[11] Another theory is that the oil coats the teeth and gums and protects them from bacteria that produce plaque, dental caries, and gingivitis.^[10]