Does Oil Pulling Really Work For Oral Hygiene?

Centuries ago, people did not know advanced dental procedures and healthcare remedies. They made the most of naturally available substances to keep themselves healthy.

Oil pulling is one such practice. Our ancestors have used oil puling for oral hygiene, helping them keep their teeth safe and strong. While we have the best gadgets and modern technologies that are transforming dental procedures, such ancient practices are still effective.

If you are home and have some coconut oil, you can use the age-old “oil pulling” practice to look after your oral health.

However, do not go in blind. These procedures may be helpful, but they do not give you 100% results. We live in the digital age, and dental clinics use modern technology to treat their patients worldwide. Whenever in doubt, always seek a professional dentist’s help.

If you are looking for a dental clinic in Dubai, Magnum Clinic resolves your queries. We recommend consulting our experienced dental professionals for serious concerns that are difficult to fix at home. We have mastered digital dentistry and use modern tools to give you quick and effective treatments.

We are deviating, aren’t we? Let us get back on track and learn more about oil pulling.

What Exactly Is Oil Pulling?

Oil pulling is the practice of using oil as a mouthwash for a few minutes. Our ancestors had mastered the technique of swishing their mouths with oil for fifteen to twenty minutes, coating their teeth and gums with this oil. You do this for a few minutes and spit the oil out.

You may wonder why this practice is called oil pulling.

It is called oil pulling because the activity pulls out all harmful germs from your mouth. Your oral cavity may contain many bacteria that can damage your oral health. Oil pulling reduces these germs and cleans your mouth.

History credits India for inventing oil pulling. It is an ancient Ayurvedic practice that is also called “Gandusha” or “Kavala.” You can do this in 2025, too. You only need coconut, sesame, sunflower, or any other edible oil. Consult a dentist before choosing your oil.

Does Oil Pulling Work?

This ancient practice has received a lot of praise for centuries. However, does oil pulling work?

A simple answer to this question is, “Yes, it does.”

You can rely on this practice to maintain good oral hygiene. You can also resolve more minor dental problems if you are regular. However, you will need professional help if things get worse.

Let us see how oil pulling works in improving your oral hygiene:

Pulling Harmful Bacteria

If you let harmful bacteria sit in your mouth for long, they will harm your dental health. Bacteria can cause tooth decay, cavities, and many other complications.

Oil pulling attracts these germs and makes them stick to the oil you use. Instead of going with your saliva, the harmful bacteria are removed from your mouth when you spit out the oil.

While some germs stick to the oil, others are dissolved in it. Whatever the case, your mouth becomes germ-free!

Lubrication

You can also reduce the dryness in your mouth with oil pulling. When you coat your oral cavity with oil, it lubricates your tissues. This lubrication prevents your mouth from drying out. A dry mouth can easily attract several dental problems.

Breaking The Plaque

Plaque buildup, just like bacteria, can harm your teeth and gums. Oil pulling helps you break down this plaque and free your mouth from many diseases.

What Are The Benefits Of Oil Pulling?

We have learned what oil pulling is and how it works. Now, let us understand why our ancestors swore by this practice.

These are a few key benefits of oil pulling:

Getting Rid Of Harmful Bacteria

Your mouth needs some bacteria, but not a lot of them! Did you know you can be storing over 700 different bacteria in your mouth? Gross, isn’t it?

Oil pulling removes many harmful bacteria as they stick to the oil you use. When your mouth becomes free from them, chances of cavities and decay reduce.

No Bad Breath

No one likes bad breath. It is caused when certain bacteria and toxins stay in your mouth for too long.

Do you want to get rid of them? All you need is some edible oil and swing it in your mouth! When these germs leave you, so will all the bad breath!

Reducing Gum Inflammation

Gum inflammation can happen at any time and cause you much trouble. This is generally due to the buildup of plaque over time.

As oil pulling reduces bacteria in your mouth, the chances of plaque buildup reduce. You need not worry about gum inflammation when there is no plaque buildup.

Lubricating Your Mouth

Dryness inside and around your mouth is never a good sign. It is an invitation to health issues. The oil you use for oil pulling works as a natural lubricant and prevents your mouth from drying.

This practice also lubricates your lip tissues and helps you avoid dry lips.

How To Do Oil Pulling?

Oil pulling is no rocket science. You just need the right oil at home and you are good to go!

Here are the basic steps involved in oil pulling:

Pick The Right Oil

Start by choosing the oil that best suits the procedures. Coconut oil is people’s favorite when it comes to oil pulling. You can also use other edible oils like olive, sesame, sunflower, etc.

Measure It Out

You wouldn’t want to stuff your mouth with a lot of oil! Swallowing these oils raw can be harmful.

Once you choose your oil, measure it properly. Ideally, you should be good with one tablespoon of oil. If you are giving it to your child, first ensure that they can spit it out properly. The ideal measurement for kids is half a tablespoon.

Swish The Oil

This is when oil enters your mouth. Swish it around your mouth slowly. Ensure that it coats your teeth and gums. You can spit it out after five minutes if you are a beginner. Never make the mistake of swallowing the oil.

Once you have enough experience, you can swish the oil for around fifteen to twenty minutes. Be careful while moving the oil in your mouth.

Spit The Oil

After you are done with all the swishing, you can spit out the oil. Spitting the oil in a trash can instead of your basin is always better. Excessive oil can clog your drains and cause you trouble.

Rinse Your Mouth

Finally, you can go to your basin and rinse your mouth thoroughly. It is better to use warm and salted water to remove the remaining oil from your system.

Wrapping It Up: How Useful Is Oil Pulling?

Oil pulling became popular among our ancestors because of oil’s natural ability to remove germs from our mouths. It is useful even in 2025 if you are careful throughout the practice. However, do not rely on oil pulling for serious dental issues. Approach professional dentists and get started on your treatment as soon as possible. It is better to use oil pulling as a basic home remedy.