“Oil Pulling”: what is this mouthwash method that is being talked about more and more?

For several years, well-being has been part of the concerns of our daily life. Thus, the gestures that were once reserved for lovers of alternative medicine they gradually begin to become more popular with the general public. This momentum also affects our oral hygiene. Inspired by an Ayurvedic method, there is more and more talk of a ritual: oil extraction. And he deserves to be known.

What is oil extraction?

Oil extraction is one method which aims to cleanse the mouth with sesame or coconut oil (therefore vegetable) in addition to normal brushing. The target. the goal? Eliminates bacteria and residues that the toothbrush could not reach. Because you need to know that the latter would only be able to touch 60% of the tooth surface and 10% of the oral cavity. This leads to a proliferation of bacteria, tooth decay and gingivitis.

Therefore, you may be wondering what the difference is between this method and a classic mouthwash. The answer is quite simple: traditional products found in drugstores or supermarkets often include an ingredient called chlorhexidine in their formula. The problem revealed by scientists in the magazine Scientific reportsis that in addition to creating an acidification of the saliva, the latter changes the oral microbiome and reduces nitrates to nitrites, which can increase blood pressure. A problem that is not found in mouthwashes with vegetable oils.

How to practice oil extraction?

The oil extraction technique is based on 4 simple steps:

• On an empty stomach, take a tablespoon of coconut or sesame oil and shake it in your mouth (like a regular mouthwash) for 15-20 minutes.
• Dispose of the oil in a garbage can (not a sink) to avoid clogging.
• Rinse your mouth several times before eating or drinking. Repeat every morning.

What is the role of coconut and sesame oils?

If coconut oil and sesame oil are recommended for this treatment, it is no coincidence. when the first contains lauric acidrecognized for trapping bacteria, the latter, for its part, it is rich in antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties so valuable in the fight against tooth decay and inflammation of the gums.

Oil Pulling: What Are The Benefits Of This Method?

The method of oil extraction is credited with many virtues. This natural mouthwash would help both of us whiten teeth, clean mouth and strengthen gums to avoid retractions and gingivitis. Some sites dedicated to wellness even explain that this type of mouthwash would have detoxifying benefits for the body.

What does science say?

Reduced plaque and caries formation

Doing research, we quickly come across a study dating back to 2009, published inIndian Journal of Dental Research. To achieve this, the scientists asked 20 teenagers who had already suffered from dental plaque and gingivitis to practice the oil extraction method, but only 10 of them. The other 10 were instructed to make a standard chlorhexidine mouthwash. The result is clear: in all 20 subjects, the scientists found a significant (and equivalent) reduction in dental plaque and bacteria responsible for caries formation.

Another study, this time more recent, published in the Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice was conducted on 60 people after tooth brushing. The first group rinsed their mouths with 10ml of coconut oil for ten minutes. The second group did the same with a 5ml chlorhexidine-based mouthwash for one minute. The third group, meanwhile, did the same with 5ml of distilled water for one minute. The conclusion of this study is very clear: the oil extraction method is a safe and effective alternative to chlorhexidine. It would help her too decrease the number of streptococcal bacteria present in saliva.

A reduction in bad breath

Bad breath is a problem that affects about 50% of the population. We can therefore all worry, at least once in our life, about what scientists call halitosis. The latter may be due to poor oral hygiene, the formation of plaques, cavities, but also to the state of our internal organs. And if the classic mouthwash eliminates the bacteria that get trapped on the tongue or between the teeth, the oil pull method allows to obtain the same type of results without having to use chemicals. This is a study published in 2011 in Journal of the Indian Society of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry who proves it. In the latter, as many as 20 children rinsed their mouths with chlorhexidine or sesame oil, both a significant decrease in the levels of microorganisms known to contribute to bad breath.

Detoxifying effects on the body

It has been claimed that the oil mouthwash will cure diseases such as arthritis, asthma, migraines, allergies or even heart problems due to its detoxifying effects on the body (the oil would load toxic microorganisms during the mouthwash). However, Too few studies are still available on the subject. We cannot therefore rely solely on these claims.

The limits of the method

Although oil extraction has many benefits, this method does not eliminate normal tooth brushing and daily flossing. It is also not suitable for everyone, as it will be recommended more for adults (stricter in their oral routine) than children who might also ingest the oil while exercising with the mouthwash.

Obviously, this technique from Ayurvedic medicine it is not an alternative to treatment in a doctor’s office, but it can, if practiced regularly, act in preventive terms, on the various issues that concern us all. So why not?

One image credit: @cottonbro