Have you heard of Oil Pulling? Some of our patients have been asking us whether Oil Pulling is an appropriate substitute for Flossing. We decided to do some research to find out if there is any truth to this trend.
The lady in the picture shows her favorite type of oil.
The following is a recap of what we have found and our stand on Oil Pulling vs. Flossing:
Oil Pulling has become a popular trend, however it is not new. It is a type of medicine that Indians used approximately 3,000 years ago. They placed Oil in the mouth and swished it around for a period of time, then spit it out. The type of Oil that is typically used is Coconut Oil, Sunflower Oil, or Sesame Oil.
The theory behind Oil Pulling is that most of the bacteria that live in our mouth are single celled. The skins of these cells are covered with a fatty membrane. When these cells come into contact with oil, they naturally adhere to each other due to that fatty membrane that is the cell’s skin. Then when the person spits that oil out after swishing for 20 minutes, the bacteria, in theory, is now gone.
Considering the research we have done, the best kind of oil to use is Coconut Oil. Coconut Oil has lauric acid which is known for its anti-microbial agents. There is also a study that shows Coconut Oil can help prevent tooth decay. The best source that we found for our research is http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/features/oil-pulling.
Proper flossing habits mechanically remove the plaque and debris from in between the teeth.
Dr. Ross, Loveland Dentist, does not believe so. Coconut Oil does have great natural health benefits, but so does Fluoride. With all of the studies that are out there on Coconut Oil Pulling, there is no strong evidence that it strengthens and re-mineralizes the teeth like Fluoride can. A tooth can start to decay when plaque sits on the tooth for long periods of time, and certain types of bacteria in the mouth also promote decay. When these two conditions combine, it usually means a lot of decay is present. The plaque is a sticky substance that is left over from the things we ingest. When the plaque combines with the bacteria in our mouth and it sits along our teeth, it demineralizes the enamel (the outer surface of our teeth). As plaque continues to sit along our teeth after the demineralization process, it then travels inward to the dentin. Once the dentin is affected by the bacteria and plaque, the only way to stop the cavity process from growing or spreading to other teeth is to remove it by placing a filling; it cannot be re-mineralized by fluoride or Coconut Oil, (or any other oil for that matter.) IF the cavity process is caught early enough, where only the enamel is affected (and not the dentin) then sometimes Fluoride can re-mineralize the enamel and the tooth will not require a filling.
In order to remove the plaque and rid your mouth of bacteria that sits along our teeth, the proper mechanics of brushing and flossing is required. The brush bristles actually physically remove the plaque and bacteria from the teeth and floss does the same thing. Mouthwash is also a great way to remove the bacteria that is in our gums. Listerine mouthwash has four essential oils, thymol, eucalyptol, methyl salicylate and menthol. Listerine also contains antiplaque and antigingivitis active ingredients. With the combination of those ingredients, it has been proven to reduce the amount of bacteria that is left disrupting our gingival health. Many scientific studies show that proper brushing and flossing (using mechanical techniques) combined with swishing Mouth rinse reduces the amount of cavities in the mouth as well as keeping the teeth stain-free.
When a person uses fluoridated products, it helps fight the process of cavities by re-mineralizing the enamel structure that compromise the acid in our food and drinks. Here, at Ross Family Dentistry, we notice a big difference in cavities in our patient’s mouth when we compare those patients who use fluoridated products regularly to those who don’t.
With the research we have done combined with our knowledge of the oral cavity, we know that regular dental visits coupled with proper brushing and flossing, the use of toothpaste with fluoride, and using mouth rinse does help prevent decay and promote gum health. There have been multiple studies that have strongly proven these to be the best option to keep a healthy mouth. As of now there are not enough proper studies that have shown Oil Pulling to be a good substitute for any one of these techniques. If you would like to add Oil Pulling to your daily regimen for your Oral Health, no studies prove that it is bad for you. However, here at Ross Family Dentistry, we do not recommend substituting Oil Pulling for proper dental care and hygiene!