Oil pulling


Oil pulling is an alternative medical practice in which an edible oil is swished around the mouth for a period of time and then spit out, similar to mouthwash. There is no evidence to support the claims made for the benefits of oil pulling.
Practitioners of oil pulling claim it is capable of improving oral and whole-body health, including a benefit in conditions such as headaches, migraines, diabetes mellitus, asthma, and acne, as well as whitening teeth. Its promoters claim it works by pulling out toxins, which are known as ama in Ayurveda, but there is no credible evidence to support this.

History

Oil pulling stems from traditional Ayurvedic medicine, whose practitioners may use sunflower oil or other herbal oils instead of coconut oil.

Criticism

There is no high-quality research on oil pulling, no understanding of a possible mechanism explaining how it would work, and no evidence that it provides any benefit. The American Dental Association agrees that there are no reliable scientific studies supporting the practice of oil pulling for any benefit to oral hygiene or overall wellbeing.
The Canadian Dental Association assessed the practice of oil pulling in 2014 stating: "We sense oil pulling won't do any harm, we're not convinced there are any particular benefits to it." The Canadian Dental Association concluded: