Tradition meets trend: A comprehensive overview of oil pulling in oral and systemic health

INTRODUCTION

The oral cavity serves as a reflective indicator of overall systemic health, offering valuable insights into the body’s general well-being. The oral environment harbors a diverse microbiome, comprising both beneficial and harmful bacteria, which play critical roles in maintaining oral health or contributing to disease.^[1] These tiny organisms can affect not only just our teeth and gums but also our overall health. For instance, the same bacteria that cause gum disease can travel through our bloodstream and contribute to more serious problems such as diabetes and heart disease. This connection means that maintaining oral health is important for keeping our entire body healthy.^[2]

Modern medicines can be very effective, but they sometimes come with side effects and risks. Antibiotics, for example, can help fight infections, but overusing them can lead to antibiotic resistance.^[3] This makes it harder to treat infections in the future because the bacteria become stronger and the medicines stop working (resistance). Furthermore, some people experience negative reactions to medications, which can be unpleasant or even harmful.^[4]

Thus, due to concerns about the side effects and limitations of conventional treatments, researchers are increasingly investigating natural products and alternative therapies to enhance overall health.^[5] This field, known as Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), encompasses a broad spectrum of practices and products that are not usually integrated into standard medical care but can be used in conjunction with it. CAM includes modalities such as herbal remedies, acupuncture, probiotics, and other holistic approaches.^[6] The COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted the importance of immune system resilience, as the virus has been shown to compromise immune function, prompting a renewed interest in strategies to bolster immunity through natural and complementary means.

Natural products, including herbs and essential oils, have a long history of use in traditional medicine, and modern researchers are increasingly examining their mechanisms, safety, and efficacy. Some of these substances exhibit antibacterial properties that could provide alternative treatments for oral infections, potentially reducing the reliance on conventional antibiotics and mitigating the risk of antibiotic resistance. By exploring these natural alternatives, scientists aim to discover methods to enhance dental and overall health with fewer side effects and risks. This approach aligns with a growing interest in more holistic and natural health maintenance options, offering promising avenues for comprehensive care.^[7]

METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION

A digital search was conducted using the PubMed database, focusing on peer-reviewed articles up to November 2024 using keyword “oil pulling,” “alternative medicine in dentistry,” “ayurvedic medicine,” and “antibacterial in dentistry” resulting in 157, 9097, 57, and 14035 items, respectively. Articles pertinent to our objectives were chosen and similar abstracts were removed from the study, along with 5 original studies were included which support the technique, apart from reviewed articles.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic practice known for promoting oral hygiene and overall dental health. It is mentioned in Ayurvedic texts such as Charak Samhita and Sushruta Samhita, where it is referred to as Kavala Graha and Kavala Gandoosha. Kavala Graha involves swishing a small amount of oil, while Kavala Gandoosha requires filling the mouth completely with oil for thorough cleansing.^[8-11]

Although this practice has existed for centuries, it gained modern recognition in the 1990s when Dr. F. Karach highlighted its numerous health benefits. Since then, oil pulling has become popular as a natural oral care method. Swishing oils like sesame or coconut oil for several min is believed to remove toxins and bacteria, helping to prevent cavities, reduce bad breath, and improve gum health. As a complementary oral hygiene approach, oil pulling offers a natural alternative to conventional dental care, potentially minimizing the need for pharmaceutical treatments.^[6,7,12]

PROCEDURE

Oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic practice known for promoting oral and overall health. It is most effective when performed in the morning on an empty stomach. The recommended amount for adults is one tablespoon (approximately 10 mL) of sesame oil.

The process involves placing the oil in the mouth and swishing it around the teeth and gums for 15-20 min. During this time, the oil becomes thinner and changes to a milky white color, indicating that it has mixed with saliva and absorbed bacteria, plaque, and other unwanted substances. After swishing, the oil must be spat out carefully without swallowing, as it contains harmful bacteria and toxins. The mouth should then be rinsed thoroughly with water, followed by brushing to ensure the removal of any remaining oil and bacteria.

Oil pulling is considered safe for most individuals, with no specific contraindications. However, it is not recommended for children under the age of five, as they may struggle to swish the oil properly and risk swallowing it, which could be harmful due to the presence of toxins and bacteria. This traditional practice is widely regarded as a beneficial supplementary oral hygiene method.^[3,13-16]

MECHANISM OF ACTION

IN ORAL HEALTH

SYSTEMIC BENEFITS

According to traditional Indian Ayurvedic texts, it can help treat and prevent over 30 different ailments. These include skin conditions like eczema and serious health issues such as thrombosis (blood clots), migraines, headaches, asthma, and diabetes. By removing toxins and harmful bacteria from the mouth, oil pulling may support the body’s overall detoxification processes, potentially alleviating various health problems [Table 2].^[24-32] This holistic approach emphasizes the connection between oral hygiene and general well-being, suggesting that maintaining a clean and healthy mouth can positively impact the entire body.^[14,30-32]

CONCLUSION

While oil-pulling therapy with edible oils is not yet a fully established therapeutic treatment, it shows significant promise as an at-home preventive measure. To thoroughly evaluate its effectiveness, extensive studies with larger sample sizes, long-term follow-ups, and varying durations are necessary as they could provide valuable insights. By exploring and understanding the potential benefits of oil-pulling, it may become a viable, cost-effective adjunct to conventional dental care, especially in regions with limited access to professional dental services.